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Altro

London Design Festival: Design takes London. And ermesponti is here!

London Design Festival 2015

London, september 2015: The London Design Festival just opened, with the amazing Openhouse London (a weekend  in which many homes are open for visits, from Prime Minister’s in Downing Street to the Gherkin skyscraper, not to speak of the ordinary homes, no less interesting to see).

The event calendar covers a 10-day period, from September 19th to 27th, and the things to see are spread  in 7 Design Districts, all over London.

Ermesponti is not to miss this unbelievable gathering of talent, inspiration and – why not – fun: we’re here in London to follow the Design Festival in all its events… well almost!

Please follow us on our Twitter profile @ermesponti to catch the latest impression about what we see, and follow the #LDF15 hashtag as well to keep in touch with the online conversation.

More online references regarding the London Design Festival:

Stay tuned: we’ll be reporting soon ermesponti’s point of view on all events and activities!

Altro, People

The story continues or not? Thank you Mr. Chipperfield.

Flipping through the slick pages of one of the most famous Italian design magazines (Interni 650)  I felt lost. The issue is about the last Salone del Mobile 2015 and its size seems bigger than ever, boasting over 400 pages about all the new collections, products and trends launched by Italian and international big brands.
It is the “Design by” apotheosis,  of course. The polar opposite of our Ermesponti approach to the project of a bespoke interior; for us it’s “designed for”, unique, like the best portrait of each client. It doesn’t matter if it is going to be a retail interior,  a home or even a yacht.
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But finally, 30 pages before the end,   I found something very special that enhances the whole magazine.
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Here I found some very interesting interviews with the leading
figures  of this  design season: from the omnipresent Michele De Lucchi Rome's Valentino Showroom by Chipperfield Architects - From ermesponti's blogwith his new studies “La passeggiata” for the workplace,  to the undisputed design star, Antonio Citterio, or the brilliant Gabriele Centazzo… just to mention a few of them. Every interview was really readable and fascinating, I must admit that one in particular was super special for me as I feel a strong affinity with each quote of the interviewed person, the British architect David Chipperfield, of whom you can see, above – the Valentino Flagship Store in Rome, just to name one of his extraordinary projects.
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He and David Chipperfield Architects in Milan also  designed the new Driade Showroom Milan by Chipperfield Architects - From ermesponti's blogshowroom of Driade in via Borgogna (shown)  as a neutral, pure, simple container conceived as an art gallery space.
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Let’s go through a few of his remarks.
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” All of us – as human beings first and then as architects, designers or art directors – face a universal challenge to grant meaning of life”.
It may seem too philosophical, but I really liked this quote as one of the most significant aims of everyday life for each of us. I am not joking.  If we reminded  ourselves of this each day, the world could really change into a better place.
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When he was asked to take part in the new Driade adventure he commented:
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“I did immediately respond. I am an architect, I don’t know how to be an art director. In the end it’s all a matter of having ideas”.
I love such kind of humility, but also the precise sense of the final answer which  concerns the essence of  invention both in architecture and in industrial design – having ideas. Once, during the initial period of Italian design after the war, all the designers were architects by training and profession (Gio Ponti, Carlo Scarpa,  Achille Castiglioni and so on…). They combined the cultural heritage of the theory of architectural composition with the culture of making of small Italian companies in the Brianza district of furnishing. They did a revolution, using their simple problem-solving approach and the legacy of Italian architecture and applied art.
And also when he was asked about the “Common Ground” (the theme of the 13th Venice Architecture Biennale curated by David Chipperfield three years ago) between design and architecture, he continued:
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“Architecture is design. Everything is a project.”
Of course, he explained better, saying that
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“the information involved in the design of a museum is much more complex than what goes into the design of a table”
…and not only the info, we should also say the skills and the sense of space. He also recognized he doesn’t have “the particular ability furniture design needs to have” – he also mentioned Mari, Morrison, Grcic – but in the end he admitted again, as an excuse: “I am an architect”.
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I appreciated and admired the crystal-clear answers of this giant of contemporary architecture. Behind his British aplomb and savoir-faire, I recognize his subtle opinions not only about how it is super difficult making architecture in Italy (“especially if the public administration is involved”). This is – unfortunately – undeniable. Talking about the future of the “healthy fashion and design industries” he warns…
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“that  they should not be squandered, though it could happen very quickly”…
Pay attention, guys: everyone has been warned by David Chipperfield ‘s brilliant considerations.
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Chipperfield seems to suggest that the wind is changing for the world of design. He goes to say:
“it’s a new question because we have to start asking ourselves David Chipperfield architecthow many new products we really need, to be more aware, to formulate a different idea of growth. We have gone from needing to wanting and design has shifted from supplying necessary goods to stimulating the desire for things that aren’t needed. This is why we have to be more aware of the role of design and products. It is a big commitment for a furniture brand that has to carefully evaluate the quality and durability of things. The project has to have integrity and that happens when it has a reason to exist. “
The first quote was not so theoretical, we agree with you and take note, thank you, Mr. Chipperfield.
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(Daniela Podda)
Altro, Media, People

The Ten Commandments of “Crescita Felice” (Happy Growth), a book to read and… some thoughts.

morace-crescita-feliceWe’d like to finish this series of posts dedicated to Francesco Morace with a small extract from his book “Crescita Felice – Percorsi di futuro civile” (Happy Growth, referring to a way of making economy grow, in a sustainable way).

In particular we find very inspiring the “10 Commandments” for a Happy Growth, at the end the book:

  1.   Grow up on the difference, like nature does
  2.     Accept body challenge and mutual recognition
  3.     Enhance the unique encounter between people and places
  4.     Create an ethic of ties, beyond religions and ideologies
  5.     Give space to vital pragmatism beyond media
  6.     Follow the happy approches beyond exaggerated desires
  7.     Understand real life memory, beyond virtual dimension
  8.     Cultivate the sustainable trust chain
  9.     Refocus on public vision
  10.     Win back the art of making decisions

Which of these principles feel most relevant for us?

Well, while reading prof. Morace’s book it we felt very close to his whole point of view.

As a matter of fact, we’ve taken part in its Milan presentation, both in person and online with the live twitting and Storify event, and we broght back a lot of food for thought, so… here are our little thoughts, which may not be as bright as Francesco’s but… :-)

  • The concept of “Happy comsumption”, often mentioned at the presentation as well, reminds us of the ermesponti tailoring experience in which the customer is at the center of a unfogettable experience that ranges from the tailored design to the realization of its desired interior space to live

  •  The lifestyle portrait of the person who lives in a home, makes us think about point 3, where the encounter between people and places is described as “unique” 

  •  Als on the concepts of “genius plus” combined to architectural “genius loci” defines an affinity between the client and the location, pillars of our work

  • The “new zero km” concept, in ermesponti applies to the close relationship with between us and the customer, who’s fully involved both in the planning and in the production, according to the ermesponti method

  • The sustainable trust of point 8 is siomething we enjoy every day since many many years, from our clients and partners

We wish you all to enjoy such a refreshing reading, and thank you prof. Morace for inspiring us!

Altro

The world of Ermesponti. Ermesponti worldwide.

ermes ponti bespoke interiors nel mondoBring our world to the world: it’s part of our everyday work.

In our world, the work of the mind and the work of the hand go nicely together.

In our world, the “design by” approach is not the preferred option, we care for the “designed for”attitude.

In our world, there are no superstar architects, but every piece of work is enriched by many talents, people who know how to work together from first sketch to the turnkey delivery.

The ermesponti method has been appreciated in many countries for many years now.

We are often seen as an ambassador of the “Italian know-how” in the field of top design and realization.

A reputation that honors us and to which we’re deeply committed.

That’s where, in the world, you can find ermesponti’s work:

    • London – UK
    • Paris, Aix en Provence – France
    • Granada, Santander – Spain
    • Amsterdam – Netherlands
    • Athens – Greece
    • Prague – Czech Republic
    • Donetsk, Odessa, Kiev – Ukraine
    • St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kazan, Krasnodar – Russia
    • Almaty, Astana – Kazakhstan
    • Vilnius – Lithuania
    • Istanbul – Turkey
    • Doha – Qatar
    • Dubai- UAE
    • Beirut – Lebanon
    • Minsk – Belarus
    • Yerevan – Armenia
    • New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore – India
    • Beijing, Harbin, Shanghai, Chengdou, Shenyang, Dalian, Wenzhou, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Taiyuan, Hefei, Changsa, Suzhou, Bengbu, Wuhan – China
    • Tokyo – Japan
    • Baku – Azerbaijan
    • Toronto – Canada

To see for yourself our creations spread around the world without… travelling, just download our presentation from the link below.

Click and download ermesponti – bespoke interiors’ presentation .

Ermes Ponti Italian bespoke Interiors

Altro

The design of a bathroom (for humans).

The bathroom, in our homes, is maybe the room that most intensely put together the functional aspects with the aesthetic ones.
Briefly, remembering of our cultural roots, Utilitas and Venustas.
bagno per alieni (non di ermes ponti)

We happen to admire – while browsing through design magazines – truly beautiful salles des bains in… sadly empty premises.

No person, no human being seems to ever use them.

Could it be the showroom’s syndrome?

Or the pleasure of a fascinating photographic performance?

Or maybe they’re bathrooms for aliens, ready for the time they will show up?

We’re far from judging.

However, the bathroom… for humans, in everyday life,, means water, heat, humidity, mirrored surfaces, containers, pipes, faucets, drains, ventilation, comfort, intimacy, relaxation and much more.

bagno by ermes ponti (schizzo progettuale)


bagno by ermespontiNo need to go far: just think about your home: how many items, functions can you recall? Many.

And what about the intensity of use ?

Perhaps only the kitchen is used as intensely, but – unlike the bathroom – kitchens can caount on specific equipment and technology…

Not so our bathrooms, where often a small space must serve the needs of various people, many times a day.

Our point of view on the topic can be summarized in a few simple concepts:

bagno by ermes pontiThe bathroom is one of the points where design demonstrates its ability to bring form and function in a harmonious vision, daily perceived by the final customer who’s supposed to use it (and clean it) every day.

Here’s where our revolutionary end-to-end ermes ponti method  gives its best.

  • The execution “to perfection” of the project is critical, perhaps more than in any other room of the house
  • Hydraulic works and funìrniture installation have to live in a perfect way, so to allow the most comfortable possible use
  • Choices of materials and new technologies in this field are vital to the bathroom’s functionality, and make it unique; we offer bespoke, tailored bathrooms, designed around the needs of the customer and totally custom-designed and custom-made.
  • Bathrooms signed ermesponti are “wellness rooms”; and this is never “generic wellness” but always the wellness of a particular person or special family, with specific needs that lead to the maximum extent of customization project.

bagno by ermesponti

All of this leads us to listening to the needs of the customer and take count – from the very first phase – of its specific needs and her personal tastes. The harmonic resolution of functions respecting the demands of the initial project, of course, follows.

Altro, Events, People

Three questions to Francesco Morace, co-author of “Italian Factor”

Francesco Morace

We’ve been following for a while now, with attention and participation the important work of the sociologist Francesco Morace, of whom we have already spoken on several occasions.

A particularly interesting event has been the presentation of his last book, co-written with Barbara Santoro, “Italian Factor” at the Chamber of Deputies in Rome in July.

Having been there with the authors, we’ve had the chance to ask some questions both to Barbara (interview here) and to Professor Morace.

With him, we started out recalling the experience with the cultural project “The Renaissance Link”.

ermes ponti – The Renaissance Link and Italian Factor: two parts of the same cultural path?

As you know, we keep track of all your steps…

Francesco Morace – Even before Renaissance Link, my cultural path about Italy has started with two books: Italian Ways in 2003 and Il senso dell’Italia in 2008, in which you can find  the foundations of an Italian Renaissance, starting from the lack of awareness of our uniqueness.

With Renaissance Link, we created an Association able to deal  with such issues, by creating awareness in companies and institutions.

After 4 years, 50 presentations in Italy and 3 books (Verità e Bellezza, Talento dell’Impresa and Impresa del Talento), we thought that the aim of raising public awareness had been reached and we decided to dissolve the Association, and set each one of us free to continue with its mission individually.

This is also one of the reasons I accepted with enthusiasm Barbara’s proposal about the book to write together.

ermes ponti – You rightly report, in your speeches, examples of excellence.

A tip for all the Small Businesses operating in the market average, without peaks of excellence, but without ever betraying the “good trade”?

We believe that, among the 120,000 factories that shut down in Italy recently, there were some quite valuable, even if not outstanding… what do you think?
italian factor
Francesco Morace – In this regard, let me mention an article in which I try to clarify the difference between Luxury and Excellence: the “good trade” is part of the culture of excellence but it’s just not enough in difficult times such are these we live in.

To this, we must add the fact that Italian tradition hasn’t innovated enough. 

The vast majority of the 120,00 businesses that have closed were, unfortunately, not equipped in this dimension.

ermes ponti – Politics in business: easy relationship, as we all know…

Where would you start to establish a dialogue with value?

Francesco Morace – I believe that politics is always a reflection of a country and its vices/virtues.

We are the ones who choose the political class, that way the change will have to be deep, and arrive even in the foundations of being Italian.

However, it seems that the new political season that Renzi and the PD have launched will bring positive developments.

We need to bring along a new awareness and collective responsibility, a new focus on the common good and to the possibility of a happy growth.

This is exactly the focus of my new book, which will be published with Egea in January 2015, called “Crescita felice. Per una economia civile”.