Collection by Miyoko Ohtake
Why Design Now?
Earlier this month, the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum unveiled its fourth exhibition in its National Design Triennial series: Why Design Now?. The exhibit features more than 125 projects--spanning design disciplines from architecture and product design to fashion, graphics, and new media--all with the intent to highlight solutions to contemporary human and environmental problems. The projects, which fall into eight themes (energy, mobility, community, materials, prosperity, health, communication, and simplicity), are on display in New York through January 9, 2011. View our slideshow for a peek at 45 of the works on display.
Solvatten Solar Safe-Water System. Petra Wadström (Swedish, b. 1952), Solvatten AB. Manufactured by Mälarplast AB. Sweden, 2008. ABS plastic, acrylic. Photo: David Wadström
Veil Curtain. Ritva Puotila (Finnish, b. 1935), Woodnotes OY. Finland, 2008. Paper yarn. Photo: Woodnotes OY
Sampoorna Chulha Stove, Philanthropy by Design Initiative. Unmesh Kulkarni (Indian, b. 1966), Praveen Mareguddi (Indian, b. 1970), Simona Rocchi (Italian, b. 1966), and Bas Griffioen (Dutch, b. 1970), Philips Design. Manufactured by various local entrepreneurs. Partner: Appropriate Rural Technology Institute. The Netherlands and India, 2007–8. Concrete with metal elements, clay and cow dung mixture. Photo: Philips Design
MIT CityCar, prototype. William J. Mitchell (Australian, b. 1944), Ryan Chin (American, b. 1974), William Lark Jr. (American, b. 1981), Raul-David Poblano (American, b. 1979), Peter Schmitt (German, b. 1977) and Philip Angus Liang (Hong Kong, b. 1982), Smart Cities, MIT Media Laboratory, with Mitchell Joachim (American, b. 1972) and Franco Vairani (Argentinean, b. 1973), MIT Department of Architecture, and Andres Sevtsuk (Estonian, b. 1981), MIT Department of Urban Studies & Planning. United States, 2003–present. Rendering: MIT Media Lab, Smart Cities
Oslo Opera House. Craig Dykers (American, b. 1961), Tarald Lundevall (Norwegian, b. 1948), and Kjetil Trædal Thorsen (Norwegian, b. 1948), Snøhetta; project architects: Bjørg Aabø, Sigrun Aunan, Simon Ewings, Rune Grasdal, Tom Holtmann, Elaine Molinar, Marianne Sætre, Kari Stensrød, Øystein Tveter; structure, external walls and roofs: Veidekke Entreprenør AS; ground works and foundations: Johs. Syltern AS. Client: Norwegian Ministry of Church and Cultural Affairs. Norway, 2001–8. Photo: Jiri Havran//Snøhetta
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Masdar Development, city plan. Foster + Partners. Client: Masdar - Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company. United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom, 2007; expected completion 2018. Rendering: Foster + Partners
Masdar Headquarters. Adrian Smith (American, b. 1942) and Gordon Gill (American b. 1963), Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture. Client: Masdar Initiative. Designed United States 2008-2009, construction United Arab Emirates 2009–present. Rendering: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
Samarth Bicycle Trailer, prototype. Radhika Bhalla (Indian, b. 1983). Designed United States, deployed India, 2008–present. Locally sourced bamboo, rattan, iron, jute, coconut fiber, wheels. Photo: Vahe D'Ala
OLPC (One Laptop per Child) XOXO Laptop, prototype. Yves Béhar (Swiss, b. 1967) and Bret Recor (American, b. 1974), fuseproject; interaction design: Lisa Strausfield (American, b. 1964); concept: Nicholas Negroponte (American, b. 1943), One Laptop per Child (OLPC). United States, 2008. PC/ABS plastic, rubber. Photos: fuseproject
NioxMino asthma monitor. David Crafoord (Swedish, b. 1967), Martin Birath (Swedish, b. 1975), Daniel Höglund (Swedish, b. 1967), and Elisabeth Ramel-Wåhrberg (Swedish, b. 1964), Ergonomidesign. Manufactured by Aerocrine AB. Client: Aerocrine AB. Sweden, 2008. Nitric-oxide sensor, electronics, LCD display, PCBs, ABS plastic. Photo: Ergonomidesign
Z-10 Concentrated Solar-Power System. Ezri Tarazi (Israeli, b. 1962) and Ori Levin (Israeli, b. 1978), Tarazi Studio. Manufacturer and client: ZenithSolar. Israel, 2009. Polypropylene, mirror glass, stainless steel, photovoltaic components, ceramics, copper. Photo: ZenithSolar
SunShade, prototype. Lianne van Genugten (Dutch, b. 1984), Lianne van Genugten Product Design. The Netherlands, 2007. Rendering: Lianne van Genugten
Witches' Kitchen Collection, Design with a Conscience Series, assorted wooden utensils. Tord Boontje (Dutch, b. 1968), Studio Tord Boontje. Manufactured by artisans in Guatemala. Client: Artecnica. Designed France, manufactured Guatemala, 2008. Sustainably harvested wood. Photo: Witches Kitchen
The Girl Effect Campaign, poster. Agency: Wieden + Kennedy; animation design and direction: Matt Smithson; additional designers: Julia Blackburn, Paul Bjork, Jelly Helm, Steve Luker, Ginger Robinson, Jessica Vacek and Tyler Whisnand. Production: Curious Pictures and Joint Editorial. Client: Nike Foundation. United States, 2008. Lithograph. Photo: Nike, Inc., and its affiliates
Zōn Hearing Aid. Stuart Karten (American, b. 1957), Eric Olson (American, b. 1970), Paul Kirley (American, b. 1967), and Dennis Schroeder (American, b. 1963), Stuart Karten Design. Manufacturer and client: Starkey Laboratories, Inc. United States, 2008. Injection-molded nylon housing, chrome microphone port cover, high-gloss metallic paint. Photo: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
Touch Magazine 2. Sean Donahue (American, b. 1973), ResearchCenteredDesign. United States, 2007. Offset lithography with ink and thermographic tactile printing. Photo: Sean Donahue
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