Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Cafe Sakura
Check out our latest completed project at davinapreca.comEast meets west, a celebration of two diverse cultures this was the starting point for Sakura Cafe specialising in Japanese Cuisine.
The Japanese love for beauty & simplicity inspired to work with clean linear lines. Cafe bar influence was used to inject warmth & sociability through the use of colour and pattern. The background palette is made up of dark walnut, deep purple shades & green tones all part of a timeless design language.
Low ceilings were offset by semi gloss ceilings and polished floors as a tool to open up the volume of the space. The walls and light shades by Stem Lighting are elegant delicate graphics with eastern references in a contemporary context on various media of paper, glass & perspex.
Labels: Cafe, Eastern, Graphics, Japanese, Restaurant
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Resin Art
Browsing i came across this fantastic revolutionary product produced by Schneller Inc. is Veritas ResinArt.
You can build your own unique ResinArt panel by combining endless varieties of colors, patterns, textures and materials within multi layered translucent resin. The colours and patterns are endless making for maximum flexibility they can be bent and cut using simple wood joinery machinery. ResinArt can be used in a wide variety of applications such as doors, ceilings, desk tops, and privacy screens.
Top vote- as these panels are made with recycled content and are fully recyclable!
ResinArt panels are manufactured at a solar powered facility in Florida, are food safe, non toxic and non off gassing. View the full collection at: http://www.veritasideas.com/Index.aspx
Labels: ceilings, desk tops, doors, resin, resin panels
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Day Bed
With hot summer days round the corner, the idea of a long lunch and a power nap whether in the office or home can be quite a temptation! Here are the latest designs for those moments of sleepiness...
From Accupunto Ergonic Collection- based on accupuntal knowledge it combines health and aestetic, the plastic knobs shape to fit the contours of the body.
LAVA by Cor- This has to be my favourite - it can be rearranged into endless practical combinations. This foam upholstery comes in either fabric or leather.
Phi ton Bed/Lounger the ultimate in technology, it can be adjusted to recline to any degree and has inbuilt massage - mmm
PRINCIPESSA- Nipa Doshi for Moroso
From Accupunto Ergonic Collection- based on accupuntal knowledge it combines health and aestetic, the plastic knobs shape to fit the contours of the body.
LAVA by Cor- This has to be my favourite - it can be rearranged into endless practical combinations. This foam upholstery comes in either fabric or leather.Phi ton Bed/Lounger the ultimate in technology, it can be adjusted to recline to any degree and has inbuilt massage - mmm
PRINCIPESSA- Nipa Doshi for Moroso
the concept: based on the story of the priness & the pea
so original and the five mismatched covers are fun in true Moroso fashion.
so original and the five mismatched covers are fun in true Moroso fashion.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Expressive Materials
Material Sensibility, Bank of Siena
Wood, Concrete Rendering & Brick all fuse well together
A successful insert into an old building
The Medieval Town of AnghiariIn an age of mass production and standardization buildings have become divorced from culture, from time & place. They seem to be everywhere and nowhere detached from their location.
On a recent trip to the stunning Tuscan hills all the while immersed in culture and craft, i felt a return to the enjoyment of the tactile qualities of natural materials. This place really awakens your senses, a feast for the eyes, as you walk the streets your fingers seem to want to reach out and feel the stone, the wood, the brick, no wonder with such a backdrop Michelangelo, Da Vinci and so many others were inspired to innovate.
On a recent trip to the stunning Tuscan hills all the while immersed in culture and craft, i felt a return to the enjoyment of the tactile qualities of natural materials. This place really awakens your senses, a feast for the eyes, as you walk the streets your fingers seem to want to reach out and feel the stone, the wood, the brick, no wonder with such a backdrop Michelangelo, Da Vinci and so many others were inspired to innovate.
The streetscape boosts a creation which is unified in its approach, whether on a small or large scale, village or town. The sum of these materials is an expressive landscape that speaks volumes.
Labels: Anghiari, Brick, Concrete, Craft, Culture, Materials, Siena, Tectonic, Tuscany, Wood
Monday, January 26, 2009
A National Association for InteriorArchitects /Designers
At the conference from left: Laurence Bonsma, Per Reinholtz, Davina Preca, President Joke Van Hengstum, Secretary General Gerrit Schilder, past President Kees Spanjers.
The European Council for Interior Architects held a conference on the 16th January which was attended by local professionals. The aim was to discuss the need for setting up a national organization to represent Interior Architects/Designers.
The ECIA also choose to hold their Annual General Meeting in Malta which was attended by the President of the Council Joke Van Hengstum, Secretary General Gerrit Schilder and board members Kees Spanjers, Per Reinholtz, Laurence Bonsma, Mia Van Den Broeck and Birgitt Becker.
The ECIA also choose to hold their Annual General Meeting in Malta which was attended by the President of the Council Joke Van Hengstum, Secretary General Gerrit Schilder and board members Kees Spanjers, Per Reinholtz, Laurence Bonsma, Mia Van Den Broeck and Birgitt Becker.
The ECIA provides a common platform for the exchange of information on best professional practices. It has established a common minimum standard of educational and professional profile for the associated interior architects in the 15 member organizations throughout Europe. The national association will adhere to these standards and will promote the value of responsible and competent design.
The conference was well attended by local professionals in the design industry. The discussion centered on promoting and representing the profession. Also put forward were ideas in assisting the exchange of professional information to facilitate industry involvement both on a national as well as on an International level.
Labels: ECIA, Malta Association for Interior Architects/Designers, National Association for Interior Architects/Designers
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Real Estate Cafe
This project set in the historical city of Valletta is now nearing completion. It is based on an innovative concept of a Real Estate Agency together with a an outdoor cafe.
The facade located on Merchants Street. It was stripped to its original state and clad in wood. The swirl pattern is inspired from the Baroque era. All the interior furniture was custom made in order to maximise the space.
The facade located on Merchants Street. It was stripped to its original state and clad in wood. The swirl pattern is inspired from the Baroque era. All the interior furniture was custom made in order to maximise the space.
Labels: Baroque, Cafe, Circualr Desk, Circular Glass, Facade, Real Estate, Valletta, Wallpaper, Wood Cladding
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tips on Making the most out of your Outdoor Space.
-Define your space into different areas by selecting the functions that will take place, such as dining, relaxing and entertaining. Then use a variety of elements to differentiate these spaces and create a sense of enclosure. A combination of both soft and hard landscaping materials such as gravel, paving, stone, pebbles, wood paving, shrubs and plants will induce a colourful array of textures.
-Think about those special spots that nurture and soothe, a hammock, a herb patch, the sound of flowing water or perhaps a bird feeder should entice you to spend hours of enjoyment in your outdoor space.
-Consider the benefits of sun orientation in relation to your space, if you mainly use your dining table in the evening it might be an idea to position it in order to capture the last rays of sun. Use umbrellas, lightweight retractable awnings or screens to shield from the hot summer sun.
-If you decide on a bbq take note of the direction of any prevailing winds most notably north west , this will save you from inhaling cooking fumes.
-Wireless solar lights are a good solution to enhance your space and create atmosphere with the bonus of no electrical preparation required.
- Use paint to unify or segment your areas. Blue and purple work best against greenery .Whilst browns and green can be used to disguise any obtrusive objects.
-Make your contribution to the environment and grow turf on your roof: it provides you with a naturalistic outdoor space and keeps your house well insulated. They keep the heat in during the winter and the heat out in the summer months. You would have to ensure that your roof is water tight and that structurally it can with hold the weight. But what a pleasant urban landscape we would have!
Invest time and energy into your garden and the rewards are plentiful, quite literally you reap what you sow!
Labels: garden, outdoor, terrace
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