• Preview of Dwell on Design 2008

By Romy Petrick

“Nature is the best designer we know” – Environment Furniture Inc.

The common thread running visibly throughout the show was a focus on sustainability, recycling and material innovations © Photo Romy Petrick

Dwell, the American magazine that was launched in 2000 with its headquarters in San Francisco, CA, was the first of its kind, being entirely devoted to architecture and design, with a main focus on sustainability and eco-conscious living. First making waves throughout the U.S. West Coast, where a lot of the content was generated, it soon evolved into a publication with a diverse readership spread throughout the country and content from the entire globe.

Dwell has grown into something bigger than just a magazine. It is a now brand with several spin-offs, including the Dwell on Design Conference + Exhibition + Home Tours. After two consecutive years of huge success in San Francisco, it has now moved to Los Angeles. “With 41,500 subscribers in the Los Angeles area and 10,100 newsstand readers, we knew it was time to bring a high quality, content-based conference and exhibition to Los Angeles,” said Michela O’Connor Abrams, Dwell’s Publisher and President.

Dwell on Design, with its more than 200 exhibitors was definitely in tune with the magazine’s credo “At Home in the Modern World.” With the exception of a few big players, such as Cassini, BoConcept and Electrolux, most of the showcased objects, innovations and architectural solutions came from smaller companies based on the U.S. West Coast, and a majority of local furniture manufacturers and interior designers. Whether big architectural firms, traditional or emerging furniture designers, or small innovative think-tanks and consumer advocates, the common thread running visibly throughout the show was a focus on modern aesthetics, paired with sustainability, recycling, material innovations and environmental responsible processes as pivotal imperatives.

As much as Dwell is about making design accessible and appreciated by everyone, it is also about hands on, real-life solutions. No wonder that Dwell Outdoor with prefabs of various kinds ready to touch and feel were the absolute visitor’s attraction. HOM showcased their 1000 SF prefabricated Main Unit complete with the product line’s furniture and appliances, ranging from those serving basic needs to whimsical accessories like a bird feeder, all made from natural, non-toxic and sustainably-derived materials.

HOM showcased their 1000 SF prefabricated Main Unit © Photo Romy Petrick

A prefab of a different kind was the modular building system “The Comeback Cube,” by Culver City-based architect Gregg Fleishman. Looking like every child’s playhouse dream come true, this temporary structure was made of reoccurring geometrical forms which provide for structural efficiency and economical manufacturing. The 81 SF versatile unit is constructed from European Birch coated with phenol resin rendering the panel surfaces waterproof and may also possibly serve as a permanent installation. If circular living is more to your taste Ecoshack, the Nomad yurt offers a possible solution for the backyard.

Looking like every child’s playhouse dream come true, “The Comeback Cube” by Gregg Fleishman is constructed from European Birch, coated with phenol resin © Photo Romy Petrick

The Nomad yurt by Ecoshack offers a circular living solution for the backyard © Photo Romy Petrick

In terms of exterior and interior wall decoration, repetitive patterns and laser-cut ornamentations figured prominently. The same technique was also used to enhance otherwise plain, wooden furniture pieces.

Laser-cut ornamentations to enhance plain, wooden furniture pieces by Kalon Studios © Photo Romy Petrick

Wall decoration and repetitive patterns figured prominently in the work of Modal Design © Photo Romy Petrick

Wall decoration by Daniel Ogassian © Photo Romy Petrick

At Dwell on Design, the recyclability of products was just as important as their organic origin, environmentally sound production process and non-toxic components. Material and application innovations played an integral part throughout the exhibition. While bamboo derived products were notably visible, San Diego-based material manufacturer Kirei showcased several products, including Kireiboard, which is manufactured from reclaimed sorghum straw, a by-product of the sorghum plant, and non-added-formaldehyde adhesive, as well as Wheatboard, the green, clean answer to MDF. Recycled consumer glass bottles are the main component for ModRocks™, a glass pebble tile by ModWalls.

Products by Kirei; right: Wheatboard, the green, clean answer to MDF; left: Kireiboard, a by-product of the sorghum plant, and non-added-formaldehyde adhesive © Photo Romy Petrick

Recycled consumer glass bottles are the main component for ModRocks™ by ModWalls © Photo Romy Petrick

Outdoor and indoor furnishing solutions are always a highlight in every issue of Dwell magazine and the exhibition proved to be no different. A great number of the beautifully crafted showpieces were made from natural woods with designs reminiscent of the subtle beauty of the Arts and Crafts movement as well as the simple, organic lines inspired by Mid Century and Danish Modern design.

Chairs by Berkley Mills © Photo Romy Petrick

Design by Thos Moser © Photo Romy Petrick

Semigood Design © Photo Romy Petrick

Beautifully crafted showpiece made from natural woods by Environment Furniture Inc © Photo Romy Petrick

Among the more innovative objects that support an environmentally responsible life-style was the Food Map Container™, which is a mobile container “designed for an edible garden providing your own healthy, local and sustainable food sources” in an urban environment and the Sun Table which, when be placed outdoors, automatically stores backup energy in its solar cells which can in turn be used to charge laptops or cellphones.

The Food Map Container™ designed for an edible garden by Food Map design © Photo Romy Petrick

The Sun Table storing backup energy in its solar cells by Sudia Design © Photo Romy Petrick

The two different Home Tours that took place throughout the exhibition days provided a great opportunity to see fantastic innovations and designs put to use at actual modern, eco-friendly dwellings.