From Spain Magazine 18

furniture, textiles, lighting

from spain18

Insi

de

Inside:

Valencia review

Tokyo Designers Week

Company profiles

to surpriseThe power

25 years later, Stua continues to challenge convention

18A.QXP 1/23/09 8:54 PM Page 1

03 NewsStua, Porcelanosa, Apartamento, GandiaBlasco, Lladró, Best of the year Awards

8 New products in the USFind the latest

10 Habitat ValenciaReview of September’s furniture, lightingand textiles fair

13 100% DesignSpanish companies impressed visitors to 100% Design in London

14 Lighting EventLuis Eslava curated a great exhibition oflighting at Kettal’s London showroom

16 Spain EmotionTokyo Designers Week enjoyed a strongSpanish presence

18 OrgatecReview of Orgatec, the office furniture fairheld in Cologne

20 ProjectsAspen tavern, Expozaragoza, UnitedNations, Barcelona Park

24 Company Profile: FiguerasProfile of Figureras, a global player inpublic venue seating

26 Company Profile: JoquerProfile of Barcelona furniture companyJoquer, which turned 25 this year

28 Company Profile: CuldeSacCuldeSac is one of the most excitingmultidisciplinary design practices at work

30 Design Profile: YonohMeet Clara del Portillo and Alex Selma ofdesign practice Yonoh

From Spain 18contents2

EDITOR’S LETTER

It’s hard to know what position to take on the future of the design industry,given the perilous state the global financial system is in. Undoubtedly thosecompanies dependent on access to credit will be feeling the pinch, and thatmay well result in them having to cut R&D budgets and put aside new productlaunches for the time being.

But what we at Spanish are very positive about, from a design andinnovation point of view, is the strength of Spain’s contemporary designindustry. Products at the Fall’08 Habitat Valencia exhibition, for example,offered distinctive designs that showed the firms’s commitment to innovationand excellence.

Spanish design kept busy on the international circuit this fall, participating inthe 100% Design fair in London, Tokyo Designers Week and Orgatec inCologne. Visitors at those events saw lighting, furniture and Accessoriesdisplayed in beautifully designed sets. We review them in this issue,along withKettal’s lighting exhibition by Luis Eslava held at their new London showroom.

Also we profile the young design studio Yonoh and their more experiencedcounterpart CuldeSac;and company profiles on Joquer and Figueras. In ourprojects section, we review ExpoZaragoza,take a look at the newenvironmentally-friendly park in Barcelona illuminated by Troll; and visit tworestaurants in San Francisco with seating by Stua.

We’re back in the New Year,With best wishes


from spain18

Insi

de

Inside:

Valencia review

Tokyo Designers Week

Company profiles

to surpriseThe power

25 years later, Stua continues to challenge convention

Cover: Nube chairs for Stua by Jesús andJon Gasca.

contents

27

5

Belén Cristino Trade Commissioner of Spain in Miami

The views expressed in From Spain are not necessarilythose of the Spanish Embassy nor of the editorial team. The Spanish Embassy Commercial Office accept noresponsibility for the views expressed by contributors toFrom Spain, nor for unsolicited manuscripts, photographsor illustrations, nor for errors in contributed articles oradvertisements. Reproduction in whole or in part withoutwritten permission is strictly prohibited.

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18A.QXP 1/23/09 8:55 PM Page 2

Last 20th of November Design WithinReach Studio of L.A. hosted an event tocelebrate STUA’s 25th anniversary and thelaunch of the Nube armchair. Jon Gasca,art director of Stua presented the newchair, seen for the first time on the WestCoast.

Stua was founded by designer JesúsGasca in 1983 and since then thecompany has always striven to inject into

its products a fresh approach grounded ina spirit of classic modern design.

25 yeras after, Stua continues tochallenge convention.

In its latest design, the Nube armchair,right angles combine with sensuouscurves. With contrasting colors and anexposed, chromed steel frame, thisstartlingly simple and architecturalstructure can be viewed from any angle.

From Spain 18

Trade enquiries to Trade Commission of Spain in New York: ph 212.661.4959 fax 212.972.2494 e-mail: [email protected]

news 3

news

Stua in LA

Nube by Jesús Gascaand Jon Gasca for Stua

18A.QXP 1/23/09 8:56 PM Page 3

From Spain 18news4

news

With outdoor furniture company GandiaBlasco at the helm, Spanish design played alead role Art Basel Miami Beach. Thecontemporary art show, organized by SurfaceMagazine and the Guggenheim Museum, tookplace at the Hotel Gansevoort from December 4to 7.

In addition to the Gandia Blasco furniture thatalways adorns the Gansevoort´s rooftopterrace, a special lounge area was installed onthe roof, where VIP´s could relax during thecourse of the show. On Saturday evening, therooftop terrace was decorated with flottingsculptures that Surface Magazinecommissioned from renowned designers YvesBehar, Dror Benhetrit, Winka Dubbeldam,Juepgen Mayer and Junior. The corian pieceswere created especially for Amphibious Design:Sculpture for Land & Water, an installation setup to celebrate the last night of the Art BaselMiami show. The sculptures were auctioned offduring the closing night party, with proceeds tobenefit the Guggenheim Museum.

Gandia Blasco in Art Basel Miami

On November 6th,2008, Porcelanosa, oneof Europe’s largestmanufacturers of fineporcelain tile, bathroomand kitchen furnishings,bathing systems andaccessories, hosted acocktail reception tocelebrate the opening oftheir new showroom,located in the New YorkDesign Center Building.

For this opening,Porcelanosa partnered,with Fagor, a leadinginnovator in energy efficient home appliances. The spacefeatured a kitchen installation of Fagor’s bold Black Artrefrigerator and innovative Side-Opening Convection Ovens,surrounded by the most innovating Porcelanosa’s products:looking tiles, metallic finishes tiles, wallpaper finishes tiles andglass looking tiles

New Porcelanosa showroom in NYC

18A.QXP 1/23/09 8:58 PM Page 4

From Spain 18


news 5

Lladró and Jaime Hayón Present “The Fantasy Collection” in New YorkOn November 19th 2008 in New York, Lladró, thedecorative porcelain company, and renowneddesigner Jaime Hayón presented, The Fantasy,one of the most magical and surprising Lladrócollections.

The company is continuing to update itsproduct line to appeal to younger, moreadventurous audiences with furthercollaborations with Jaime Hayón,

Spain’s boy wonder of contemporarydesign with a surreal edge.

As you can see from thepieces shown, the collection isdesigned to elicit strongreactions-and would certainlymake any conventional chinadogs on granny’s mantelpiececower in terror. Lladró says TheFantasy Collectiondemonstrates the “perfectfusion of the brand´s artistic

quality and the magic of theunexpected that Hayón injectsinto his work”. In fact, the

original pieces created byJaime Hayón are a colorfuland fantasy-oriented

reinterpretation of the company’s classic themes.Inspired by themes like love, family, childhood, andthe magic of the circus, these creations are, forHayón, a “positive contamination (adulteration)”from his world to that of Lladró.

The shared drive to innovate has encouragedLladró and Jaime Hayón to further strengthen arelationship which began in 2005 and wasreinforced with his appointment as the brand´sartistic adviser.

With the presentation of The Fantasy Collectionin New York, Lladró intends to have a new surge inthe United States.

18A.QXP 1/23/09 8:59 PM Page 5

From Spain 18news6

news

On November 29, the U.S. launch of Spanishinteriors magazine Apartamento was celebratedat a party at Matter, the furniture store in SoHo,New York.

Barcelona-based Apartamento is a recentlycreated biannual publication. The New York Timescalled it “the interiors magazine post-materialistshave been waiting for”. In fact, Apartamento isvery different in style from catalogues. Accordingto founders Albert Folch and Omar Sosa, it is

more “a publication of ideas about design, basedupon lifestyles It relates informal scenes of theliving spaces of real people; and the interviewsfocus more on personal experiences.

Because of the anticipation surrounding thearrival of the second issue of Apartamento in theUnited States, the launch party drew a large crowdof a variety of design professionals. This issuekeeps the same spirit as the first one and expectsto be at least as successful.

Apartamento, newinterior design mag

18A.QXP 1/23/09 9:01 PM Page 6

Interior Design Magazine’s Best of the Year Awards is a prestigious annualcompetition recognizing the best products and projects in over 50 categories.Interior Design Magazine covers the latest interior design trends, ideas,contemporary architecture and design news.

During the month of October 2008, designers and architects voted online forthe best products to compete in the Best of the Year Awards. The magazine anda select group of designers will choose the winners from among the finalists.

Three Spanish companies are were finalists this year in Best of YearDesigner’s Choice: Graviti Zone Rugs with its carpet Grass by Mariví Varades,Fagor with their side-opening ovens and Amat with its chair Miralook by Javier

Mariscal.Graviti Zone Rugs was

chosen as finalist in theCarpets category, which thisyear saw 30 contestantsincluding another Spanishcarpet, Victoria, by NaniMarquina. The company wascreated in the beginning of2008 by Spaniard Monica Ibáñez, and in May was introduced at theInternational Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York. Since then, thebusiness has been growing in the United States and Europe.

Fagor America, a leading manufacturer of appliances, submitted theirinnovative side-opening convection ovens that were chosen in the KitchenAppliances & Cabinetry category from among a group of prominent brands inthe appliance and kitchen cabinetry marketplace.

Amat presented in the Seating/Contract/Guest category, Miralook, the firstarmchair by Javier Mariscal for this company that designs, manufactures andmarkets furniture for facilities and collective areas.

The 2008 winners were announced at the awards ceremony on December 4,which took place at the Guggenheim Museum in New York and was attendedby industry personalities and the finalists in each category.

From Spain 18


news 7

Three finalists in Interior Design awards

Grass by Mariví Varades for Graviti Zone Rugs

Side Opening Oven by Fagor Miralook by Javier Mariscal for Amat

18A.QXP 1/23/09 9:02 PM Page 7

From Spain 18new products8

New products in the US

Plis for Vibia Inc,www.vibialight.comVibia inc, 732 417 1700,[email protected]

IZ for Samoa Design, www.samoadesign.comJane Hamley Wells, 773-227-4988, [email protected]

Dr. Moreau for Uno Design, www.uno-design.com

Silver Associates, 914-285-0200,[email protected]

Dojo for Metalarte, www.metalarte.comHinson Lighting, 718.482.1100 (x 312),

[email protected]

Infiore T-5805 for Estiluz, www.estiluz.comEstiluz, Inc USA, +1 (201) 641 1997,[email protected]

18A.QXP 1/23/09 9:03 PM Page 8

From Spain 18


new products 9

Quadrum for Difasa, www.difasa.netDifasa USA, Inc., (786) 303-8459, [email protected]

Atmosphere for Kettal,www.kettal.comGrupo Kettal NorthAmerica, 786-552-9002,[email protected]

Ados for Hurtado, www.hurtadomuebles.comHurtado USA, Inc., 336-885-6660,

[email protected]

Doppia T-2557 for Estiluz, www.estiluz.comEstiluz, Inc USA, +1 (201) 641 1997,[email protected]

18A.QXP 1/23/09 9:18 PM Page 9

From Spain 18valencia review10

Full ofsurprisesHabitat Valencia 2008 saw theunveiling of wonderfully creative,exuberant new products

Air chairs by Ebualá forExpormim, for interiorand exterior use

Eclipse bed by Jorge Pensi for Punt Mobles. Headboard has integral LED lighting. Bedhas a wooden frame with metal legs and a metal inner structure

Hawai lamps by Jorge Vega for Almerich

Black and white Dunes rug byYolanda López-Araquistain

for La Alpujarreña

Rossana pendant lamp by Alfonso Fontal for Modiss. It has an inner diffuser madefrom ribbed sanded-blasted Venetian glass and an outer shade made from lace

Valeria chair byEstudio Andreufor Andreu World

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Self lights by Luis Eslava for Almerich. Lights are madefrom copper tubing and are available in five colors

From Spain 18 valencia review 11

Books by Jose Gandía for Gandía Blasco

Black Widow lamp in new colors, by Herme Ciscar & Mónica García for Lampister.The lamp is made out of 5,000 paperclips and crystal drops

Caos table by Miguel Herranz for

Manufacturas Celda

Lif by Iban Ramon for Gandía Blasco

18A.QXP 1/23/09 9:21 PM Page 11

Anfora pendant byMiguel Herranz

for LZF

From Spain 18valencia review12

Global Warming by Nel Colectivo for Nani Marquina

Red Lineal sofa byRafa García for

Sancal. Cushions onthe back rest are part

of the structure

Garabatos circular rugby fashion designerAgatha Ruiz de la

Prada for AB21

Gandia Blasco’s Ensombra parasol by Odosdesign was unveiled in new bold colors

Adiantino chairs and rockers by Ximo Rocahe designed for Teys.

18A.QXP 1/23/09 9:22 PM Page 12

From Spain 18


100% design 13

100% design

Umbrella floor lampby Wis Design for

Leds-C4

Yo Yo table light from Estudio Almerich

Amanita outdoor light by Joan Verdugo for Marset

Waterdrop installation by Héctor Serrano Studio for Roca

The stand from Roca, the bathroom company,proved to be a huge draw with its mesmerizingWaterdrop installation by Héctor Serrano Studio.Created as a tribute to the beauty of water, it invitespeople to enjoy and explore water but without usingso much as a drop. The high-tech installationbrought to mind the ripples formed by a bed of waterfalling into a pool.

Chair fromVondom’s Jut

collection. Vondommanufactures

outdoor furniture,lighting and planters

A group of 12 Spanishcompanies exhibited atthis year’s 100% Designfair, where they impressedthe crowds with their widerange of stylish designs.

18A.QXP 1/23/09 9:23 PM Page 13

From Spain 18spanish light14

See the lightsAn installation of Spanish lightingimpressed visitors during theLondon Design Festival

Designer Luis Eslava was in London for the LondonDesign Festival to curate an extravagant installation ofmodern lighting at the new Kettal showroom in Chelsea.

Spanish Light featured the best in contemporary lighting– including some of Eslava’s own pieces – withcommercial and experimental designs by an illustriousgroup of his fellow countrymen. The show featuredproducts by Martí Guixé, Herme Ciscar & Mónica Garcia,Wis Design, Burkhard Dämmer, Bang Design, Ray Power,Christophe Mathieu, El último Grito, Jonathan Daifuku,JBA Design, Jon Santacoloma, Antonio Minervini, AlfonsoFontal, Martin Azúa and Admir Jukanovic. Products weresupplied by diverse manufacturers including LZF, Marset,Lampister, noonbarcelona, Leds-C4, Modiss, Fambuena,Metalarte, Carpyen, B-Lux, Arturo Alvarez andluján+sicilia.

Eslava, 32, let his imagination run wild, indulging hishumor by creating a path of light made from strips ofcoconut fibre. Winding its way from floor to ceiling in aseries of elaborate loops that stretched right across thethree-torey showroom, the installation played on the themeof continuity and allowed people to walk among theproducts. Spanish Light was sponsored by ICEX, theSpanish Institute for Foreign Trade.

Discocó by Christophe Mathieu for Marset

Guau Light by El último Grito for Arturo Alvarez

Everyday light by JBA Design

for Leds-C4

From left: Kanpazar by Joan Santacoloma for B Lux; Lua by Martin Azúa for Arturo Alvarez;Lite Cube byJonathan Daifuku for Carpyen

18A.QXP 1/23/09 9:24 PM Page 14

From Spain 18 spanish light 15

Book lamp by Marti Guixé for luján+sicilia

Grace lamp by Antonio Minervini for Fambuena

Face to Face Velcro light by Luis Eslava for Almerich

Lesslamp by Jordi Canudas for Metalarte

Link light by Ray Power for LZF

Coco lamp by Luis Eslava for ABR

18A.QXP 1/23/09 9:25 PM Page 15

From Spain 18tokyo design week16

The Spain Emotion exhibition – held inthe Spanish Embassy as part of TokyoDesigners Week – was designedby HéctorSerrano Studio to surprise, seduce andentertain.

Serrano displayed the imaculate whiteproducts inside hexagonal-shape mo-dules. The use of light created ascenographic and changing atmospherewhich reflected the originality and energy ofspanish design.

The show featured some 50 productsfrom companies including ABR, Vibia,Samoa, Amat, Ofita, Almerich, Stua, Tagar,Gandía Blasco, Roca and RS. Seminarsincluded ‘Offices shaped by SpanishSunlight’ with designer Mario Ruiz and anexhibition, Hotel Room 00, by Martí Guixé.

Spanish design tookcenter stage duringTokyo DesignersWeek with astimulating exhibitionby Héctor SerranoStudio

Treeby WAis

BA

Spain emotiontokyo designersweek 2008

18A.QXP 1/23/09 9:26 PM Page 16

From Spain 18


tokyo design week 17

Tree Series light by WernerAisslinger for DAB

Gracia stools by Massana, Tremoleda & E Juanolafor Mobles 114

Break light by Xuciá &Alemany for Vibia Centre

Mimosa chair by Ofita

Con-o-vela by CausasExternas for TheOriginal Chá Chá

Janet by Ramón Úbedaand Otto Canalda for BD

On the Road bench by Stone Designs for RS

V lamp by HectorSérrano Studio forArturo Alvarez

18A.QXP 1/23/09 9:28 PM Page 17

From Spain 18orgatec18

Office politicsThirty Spanish companiesexhibited at Orgatec inCologne at the end of October.Here are some of thehighlights.

Tram by Joan Gaspar for Vilagrasa

Bloc by Gabriel Teixidó for Vilagrasa

Plek by Alegre Industrial for Actiu

Únita by Estudio Lamela for Imasoto

TNKID by Alegre Industrial for Actiu

18A.QXP 1/23/09 9:29 PM Page 18

From Spain 18


orgatec 19

Seza by Ron Arad for Amat Hanka System by Estudi Blanc for Sellex

Touch by Lluscá Design for Forma5

Cappa by Josep Lluscá for Forma5

M3 for NovoformaNova by Mario Ruiz for Dynamobel

O banca, Iris Collection for Ofitres

18A.QXP 1/23/09 9:30 PM Page 19

From Spain 18projects20

projectsFambuenawarms up AspenSituated at the base of Aspen Mountain, theAjax Tavern at the Little Nell Hotel just underwentan extensive renovation that brings the spaceinto present day, while retaining the traditionaltavern feel. The project fell onto the shoulders ofAspen`s Rowland + Broughton Architectureand Urban Design, led by principles SarahBroughton and John Rowland, along withdesigner and project manager Jason Goldberg.

Lighting company Fambuena’s Dresspendants, are the signature pieces in a designin whcih red is the predominate color-way,accented by deep brown wood finishes.

The space is enriched with leather upholstery,refurbished millwork and reclaimed oak floors,and is punctuated by a series of pendantssporting drum shades hand-wrapped in redribbon. The interior design reflects a classictavern aesthetic with a modern sensible feel,transcending time and design trends.

PHOTOS BY ©BRENTMOSS.COM

18B.QXP 1/23/09 9:32 PM Page 20

From Spain 18


projects 21

ExpoZaragoza: focus on sustainable development

Restaurant terraces featured SIS tables and chairs by Punt Mobles

Akaba supplied seating for the Pavillion Signage and waste baskets came from Vilagrasa

B.Lux supplied 300 meterres of its Tubular outdoor lighting system The Spanish Pavillion

Many thousands of people from aroundthe world visited the ExpoZaragoza 2008international exhibition, held betweenJune and September in the northernSpanish city of Zaragoza. The projectfocused on water and sustainabledevelopment. The striking SpanishPavillion was designed by architect PatxiMangado. He clad outfitted the building inwith 750 ceramic pillars, which made itlook as if it were surrounded by trees. Thepillars, which were manufactured byCeramica Decorativa, were themselvescovered in a staggering 25,000 pieces ofceramic pieces in natural yellow, red andochre tones.

Products used in and outside thePavillion included signage and wastebaskets from VilagrasaSignage andwaste baskets from Vilagrasa were usedin and outside the Pavillion, while PuntMobles won the contract tosupplysupplied its SIS tables and benchesfor the restaurant terraces, offering diningspace for 5,560 people. The furniture wasdesigned by Vicent Martínez andmanufactured from extruded aluminiumprofiles with Keraon ceramic tops from tilemanufacturer Tau. This combination ofmaterials makes the furniture imperviousto wear and tear theyby meeting thecriteria for sustainability and so met thesustainability criteria due to its durabilityand recyclability. Akaba supplied seatingfor the Pavillion, including its E-motive andGorka T chairs, while B.Lux supplied itsTubular, its outdoor illumination system.

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From Spain 18projects22

projects

Spanish design at United NationsNanimarquina and Figueras Seating haveparticipated in the renovation of the HumanRights and Alliance of Civilizations Room at theUN (United Nations Organization) in Geneva.Almost 2,150 square feet of nanimarquina rugscover the walls of the room that lies beneathSpanish artist Miquel Barceló’s giganticdome. The dome emulates an underwatercave, and the design of the rugs plays withvolume to emulate drops falling from thestalactites of the dome. To achieve maximumquality, the 76 hand knotted carpets weremade in India.

The room has also been outfitted with 758Figueras chairs and technical tables. Themodel selected to furnish the room was theBonamusa chair, with pastel-coloured naturalleather finish to set off the already extraordinarydome. Seat finishes were customized andchairs were modified to adapt them to theconcave floor surface. The design of thetechnical tables is completely original andtakes into account strict safety andenvironmental codes, as well as the need tohouse the latest audiovisual systems.Nani Marquina and Miquel Barceló

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projects 23

Celebrated French architect Jean Nouvel hasworked with lighting company Troll to create abeautiful new environmentally-friendly park inBarcelona.

Nouvel designed the 13.5 acre Parc Central dePoblenou and he put sustainability at the core ofhis plans. The park uses special irrigation

systems thatrequire onlylimited amounts ofwater and plantsthat will createtheir ownmicroclimate – forexample, it hasbeen planted with1,000 trees, 5,000shrubs and 5,000cacti.

But while mostparks close at night after dark, this one comes tolife at night thanks to advanced low energylighting that has beenwas installed to create aplay of light and shade and achieve a magicalatmosphere. Nouvel designed the Riddle light – aperforated metal sphere – for Troll and this hasbeen placed throughout the park, both on the

ground and suspended from overhead arms.Light filters out hrough the holes, emitting a softglow, while light pollution is kept to a minimum.The other model used is Troll’s Unipod (picturedcenterre, far right), which again reduces pollutionby emitting light horizontally.

Troll illuminates Barcelona’s newenvironmentally-friendly park

18B.QXP 1/23/09 9:36 PM Page 23

From Spain 18company profile24

Visit prestigious public venues around the worldand chances are their seating will have come fromFigueras. Figueras International Seating is a trulyglobal company and since it was founded 75years ago, it has installed around eight millionseats in buildings ranging from theatres andcorporate headquarters to sports stadia andcinemas.

The company’s success is due to its on-goingcommitment to innovation and engineering.Auditorium seats, for example, need to fold up anddown silently, should be as space-saving aspossible, must be immensely hardwearing – andmust be comfortable because people won’t returnto a venue that gives them back ache. Figuerashas its own engineering and consulting

department (FEC) which develops engineeringsolutions for each project. It has won countlessawards for its work, such as the International Deltade Plata award for industrial design.

Figueras works with outside designers and isdelighted that Francesc Rifé has become aconsultant to its design centerre. He will beconcentrating on developing new products andwill also advise on the the company’s own visualidentity.

Over recent years, Figueras seats have beeninstalled in a wide variety of buildings such as theThe White House, the Lasalle College of Arts inSingapore, the Khalifa Stadium in Doha,Barcelona International Airport, the Yahoo! Centerin Santa Monica and the IMAX cinema in London.

Comfortably aheadFigueras is one of the world’s largest manufacturersof public seating. And it’s arguably the best

Mauro bench seat by Marta Vilallonga

Sensó seat byMarta Vilallonga of Ricardo Bofill

architects

Sensó seat

Bonamusa chair byAntonio Bonamusa

18B.QXP 1/23/09 9:37 PM Page 24

Flame by Felipe Oliveira Dias

18B.QXP 1/23/09 9:38 PM Page 25


Nineteen-eighty-three was clearly an auspicious year for starting acontemporary furniture company in Spain. For Joquer – as with fellow class of ‘83-ers Stua and Nueva Línea – has become a hugely successfulbrand, with its new collections eagerly awaited by design aficionadosaround the world.

Joquer, based at Viladecans near Barcelona, was set up by a group ofdesigners who wanted to create products that were modern but also had a Mediterranean energy. Since its inception, the company’s driving force has been to search for, and achieve, ‘harmony between discipline, creativity,quality and elegance’ and so offer products ‘that are objects of desire’.

Joquer, which exhibited for the first time this year at the InternationalContemporary Furniture Fair in New York, likes to work with outsidedesigners. It has built up strong relationships in particular with Mario Ruiz,Francesc Rifé and Ramón Esteve and this trio of super-designers havelaunched innovative new products for 2008. Rifé’s Mural sofa, for example,has a simple rectilinear shaped frame that is lent a softness by a huge pileof different-sized cushions. Joquer unveiled the lightweight Deck sofa byMario Ruiz at this year’s Milan furniture fair, as well as the ADN design from Ramón Esteve. Other designers who collaborate with Joquer includeGabriel Teixidó, Carlos Riart and Ingo Krapf.

Joquer manufactures chairs, sofas and beds and as well as its main lines,also offers its B for Basics catalogue. It is expanding its bed line and ispresently working on a new collection of upholstered beds.

It also undertakes major projects in Spain and overseas. It suppliedfurniture for the Hotel Palacio de los Patos in Madrid, part of the Hospesgroup, as well as Hospes’ Villa Paulita boutique hotel in the Pyrenees.

Joquer is distributed in the US by Jane Hamley Wells.

Creativehigh

Joquer believes furniture should have personality and stand out from thecrowd. But it must also be comfortable, functional and beautiful

From modular seating by Francesc Rifé

Oslo by Jordi Busquets

18B.QXP 1/23/09 9:39 PM Page 26

From Spain 18


company profile 27

The Modo sofa by Ramón Esteve Colorful trio of Par chairs by Ramón Esteve

Para Collection by Ramón Esteve

From system in monochrome by Francesc Rifé

18B.QXP 1/23/09 9:40 PM Page 27


For anyone who abhors the idea of wearing a suit to work and struggles withthe the rules of convention, CuldeSac looks like an appealing company to join– certainly if the office photograph is anything to go by. Not many firms setthemselves up to look like a the set for of a spoof sci-fi suggesting there’s alot of fun to be had here, and the name shows a nice line in irony.

But don’t be fooled by zany appearances because CuldeSac is one ofSpain’s most prolific and multidisciplinary design studios. Based in Valencia, itwas launched in 2002 as a creative space where designers from different fieldscould meet and join forces. It now has three divisions: Creative Space, led bycompany founders Alberto Martínez and Pepe Garcia; Experience, led bySophie von Schonburg and Garen Moreno and Communication, led by JuanPoveda and Xavi Sempere. The divisions they have expertise in are,respectively, product and interior design; PR and event production, andstrategic branding and communication. The company’s ability to handlediverse projects has led to diverse clients, such as porcelain company Lladró,Lorenz watches, olive oil producer Mil del Poaig, Swarovski, Moooi, Tiffany &Co and LZF (see installation for LZF p11). CuldeSac has undertaken a major

Group dynamic Their name suggests they play safe and don’tget out much. But CuldeSac take theirclients on exciting journeys – and it looks likethey have a lot of fun in the office too

Award-winning Whisper chair for US company Bernhardt

Left: Interior design for Roca showroom inMadrid. Below: Neos watch for Lorenz. Itwon the Compasso D’Oro ADI award lastyear as well as a Red Dot design award

18B.QXP 1/23/09 9:42 PM Page 28

From Spain 18


company profile 29

project to interior design Lladró’s stores in Madrid, New York and LA and has was also beenchosen to create a new logo for the Madrid Justice Campus. No stranger to accolades, lastyear it won the Compasso d’Oro ADI award for its Neos watch for Lorenz. This is the mostprestigious industrial design award, given by the Italian Association for Industrial Design.\ ’Anexciting freestyle lab for observation, investigation and project development’ is how the teamdescribe themselves, adding that they have ‘an institutionalized open-mindedness.’ They areindeed a breath of fresh air.

La Siesta terracotta water bottle by CuldeSac and HéctorSerrano for La Mediterránea

Sofa lamp by CuldeSac andHéctor Serrano for Moooi

Do they really all wear white? do they really do gymnastics and strum guitars in the office? is life at CuldeSac a non-stopbarrel of laughs? quite possibly yes to all...but the team still manages to be prodigious in their output, so why not...

Light and nature installation for LZF

Recyclos collection by CuldeSac for Lladró

18B.QXP 1/23/09 9:43 PM Page 29

From Spain 18designer profile30

In tune withthe timesYonoh Design Studio may be thenew kid on the block but it’s alreadymade a strong impression

Design is a notoriously hard industry to break into, let along establish a viablebusiness with long-term potential. So to have a busy studio before they’re even30 is a considerable achievement for Clara del Portillo and Alex Selma, the designers behind Yonoh.

Industrial designers by training, the pair launched their creative studio inValencia in 2006. They do industrial, interior, web and graphic design and theirorder books are looking very healthy,as clients look to a new generation ofdesigners for inspiration. Samoa, forexample, is delighted with theirNenúfar tilting parasol, and Sancal islaunching Yonoh’s Track range oftables.

Recently back from TokyoDesigners Week, Portillo and Selmasay their approach to design is tokeep it simple. ‘Our work is based onsimplicity and individuality,’ saysClara, 28. ‘We see ourselves as toolsthat our clients can use to improvetheir product lines. Before we put pento paper, we are rigorous inestablishing exactly what they need. And we are realistic – we can’t achieve theimpossible and wouldn’t want to try!’

Their commitment to designing products that meet the client’s brief meansthey are not striving to develop a signature look. ‘We don’t think we have aparticularly defined or characteristic style,’ says Clara. ‘We don’t follow trendseither, rather we’re influenced by everything around us.’

With their industrial design training, Clara and Alex are very interested in newmaterials and manufacturing techniques. ‘From that perspective our work canbe experimental,; says Clara. ‘But generally, I would not label us anexperimental practice. We are not creating works of art. Our designs are to beused, not put on a pedestal to be admired.’

Clara del Portillo and Alex Selma are theduo behind Yonoh

Icara tables with storage slots for Tadel Group

Lunatica chairs for Perfect Ebano

Track table collection for Sancal

18B.QXP 1/23/09 9:44 PM Page 30

From Spain 18


news 31

An example of the stylish, minimalist yet warm stands Yonoh create at design exhibitions

Nenúfar parasols for Samoa

Velvet lightweight seating, designed for J&M Interiorisme

Dueta chair for NOW by Comersil Bottom

Alexandra storage unit for Bianca Mobilario

Glace light for Almerich

18B.QXP 1/23/09 9:47 PM Page 31

AAB21www.ab21.es

ABRwww.abrproduccion.com

ACTIUwww.actiu.com

AKABAwww.akaba.net

AMATwww.amat.com

ALMERICHwww.almerich.com

ANDREU WORLDwww.andreuworld.com

APARTAMENTOwww.apartamentomagazine.com

ARTURO ALVAREZwww.arturo-alvarez.com

BB.LUXwww.grupoblux.com

BDwww.bdbarcelona.com

MIQUEL BARCELÓwww.miquelbarcelo.info

CCARPYENwww.carpyen.com

CULDESACwww.culdesac.es

DDABwww.dab.es

DIFASAwww.difasa.net

DYNAMOBELwww.dynamobel.com

EESTILUZwww.estiluz.com

ESTOLIwww.estoli.com

EXPORMIMwww.expormim.es

FFAGORwww.fagoramerica.com

FAMBUENAwww.fambuena.com

FIGUERASwww.figueras.com

FORMA 5www.forma5.es

GGANDÍA BLASCOwww.gandiablasco.com

GRAVITI ZONE RUGSwww.gravitizonerugs.com

HJAIME HAYÓNwww.hayonstudio.com

HURTADOwww.hurtadomuebles.com

JJ&M INTERIORISMEwww.jminteriorisme.com

JOQUERwww.joquer.com

KKETTALwww.kettal.com

LLA ALPUJARREÑAwww.alpujarrena.com

LAMPISTERwww.lampister.com

LLADRÓwww.lladro.com

LEDS C-4www.leds-c4.com

LUIS ESLAVAwww.luiseslava.com

LUJÁN + SICILIAwww.lujan-sicilia.com

LZFwww.lzf-lamps.com

MMANUFACTURAS CELDAwww.manufacturascelda.com

MARSETwww.marset.com

METALARTEwww.metalarte.com

MOBLES 114www.mobles114.com

MODISSwww.modiss.com

NNANI MARQUINAwww.nanimarquina.com

NOVOFORMAwww.novoforma.com

OODOSDESIGNwww.odosdesign.com

OFITAwww.ofita.com

OFITRESwww.ofitres.com

PPORCELANOSAwww.porcelanosa-usa.com

PUNT MOBLESwww.puntmobles.es

RROCAwww.roca.com

RSwww.rs-life.com

SSAMOAwww.samoadesign.com

SANCALwww.sancal.com

SELLEXwww.sellex.es

HÉCTOR SERRANOwww.hectorserrano.com

STUAwww.stua.com

TTAUwww.tauceramic.net

TEYSwww.teys.com

THE ORIGINAL CHÁ CHÁwww.cha-cha.es

TROLLwww.troll.es

UUNO DESIGNwww.uno-design.com

VVIBIAwww.vibia.es

VILAGRASAwww.vilagrasa.com

VONDOMwww.vondom.es

XXIMO ROCAwww.ximoroca.es

YYONOHwww.yonoh.es

contactsNOTE: Please be advised that the majority of products featured in the magazine are availablein US. If you are interested in purchasing them, please contact directly the manufacturerslisted below or the Spanish Trade Commission in New York.


from spain16

Insi

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Inside:

Milan review

Light+Building

Company profiles

Light andshadeSensational

modern lighting to set the mood

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUTSPANISH DESIGN?Visit the website interiorsfromspain.comand find out about Spanish interior designproducts and designers. You can alsosubscribe to our free monthly newsletterand keep up to date with the latest news.

If you want to receive a free copy of this magazine or have trade enquires, contact the Trade Commission of Spain in New York.

18B.QXP 1/23/09 9:48 PM Page 32

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From Spain Magazine 18