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10
Watch in white high-tech ceramic set with diamonds (~1.6 carat). Self-winding mechanical movement. 42-hour power reserve. Water-resistant to 200 meters.
www.chanel.com
DP J12 blanche double diamants 420x270 Le Cercle MO.indd 1 24/02/12 12:05
Watch in white high-tech ceramic set with diamonds (~1.6 carat). Self-winding mechanical movement. 42-hour power reserve. Water-resistant to 200 meters.
www.chanel.com
DP J12 blanche double diamants 420x270 Le Cercle MO.indd 1 24/02/12 12:05
www.georgeschakra.com
Sprin
g Su
mm
er 2
012
Edition (Le Cercle 42x27cm).indd 1 2/20/12 3:10 PM
www.georgeschakra.com
Sprin
g Su
mm
er 2
012
Edition (Le Cercle 42x27cm).indd 1 2/20/12 3:10 PM
Big Ben giant wall clock
by Marcel Wanders for Moooi
publisher:
City News Privilege
on behalf of Le Cercle Hitti
editor in chief :
Anastasia Nysten
managing editor:
Helen Assaf
graphic design:
Genia Kodash
printer:
RAIDY | www.raidy.com
contributors:
Owen Adams
Dan Bratman
Miriam Dunn
Louis Parks
Paul Cochrane
Alia Fawaz
Shirine Saad
Fernande Van Tets
advertising:
t: +961 3 852 899
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ThiS iSSue iS Le CerCLe’S tenth, a milestone we felt was worth celebrating. What better way to do that than to return to the bare essentials and be at one with nature in a special ‘Back to Basics’ section? Spanning the globe, we visit a farm in South Africa where guests are invited to join in the harvesting and tasting of a vast array of home-grown produce. in Tunisia, Dar Hi by Matali Crasset is a beautiful example of growing interest from renowned designers in eco-lodges. Japan’s minimalistic culture, Finland’s melding of environment and design, and many more examples from Beirut to Sri Lanka make up the rest of our special section. This issue we also celebrate the summer season by checking out the hottest designs for leisurely outdoor days and take a tour of some of the coolest new hotels around the world. Closer to home, we revisit some of the capital’s most iconic architecture. While the city is ever-evolving, four striking examples of 20th century modernism continue to show that decades ago international names in design already had their eye on Beirut. All this and plenty more await in the following pages. enjoy the experience.
10
Big Ben giant wall clock
by Marcel Wanders for Moooi
PARK VIEW BUILDING, BOULEVARD DU PARC - BEIRUT T. +961 1 99 21 16 CHARLES MALEK AVE., ELLIPSE CENTER - ASHRAFIEH, LEBANON T. +961 1 20 00 01
WWW.WSAL A MOON.COM
wss_earrings_21x27_wss_earrings_21x27 8/22/11 3:02 AM Page 1
mooDS
THe SuMMerwiShLiST
re-TrouvéPATriCiA urquioLA
Curled up iron rod.
Comes in six fashionable colors
w. 66 x d. 60 x h. 78cm
eMu
Tree vASeVAneSSA MiTrAni
Blown glass
h. 32cm
VAneSSA MiTrAni
ArCenCieLeMu grouP
Painted steel
w. 42.5 x d. 43 x h. 81cm
eMu
eSTeBAnSous les feuilles
refillable scented decorative candle
eSTeBAn PAriS
goes window shopping for
some of this season’s must-have purchases.
mooDS
eLySéePierre PAuLin
w. 90 x d. 77 x h. 70cm
Monocolor model upholstered
in fabric or leather.
Ligne roSeT
DAnDeLionriCHArD HuTTon
Ø 80 x h. 55 cm
Laser-cut powder-coated aluminum
Moooi
PALeTTePASCAL Mourgue
w. 65 x d. 34.5 x h. 35cm
Moulded enamelled ceramic
Ligne roSeT
Vin-TAgeLuiSA BoCCHieTTo
Ø 20x h. 40 cm
Handmade silk-screen printing with silver
egiziA
DorSeTeriC JourDAn
Ø 35 x h. 60 cm / Ø 60 x h. 173 cm
Structure in turned wood, chintz shade
Ligne roSeT
PiCniC gAMFrATeSiV
w. 60 x d. 37 x h. 71cm
Black-stained ash
Ligne roSeT
BLoomHiroSHi KAWAno
Ø 55 x h. 150 cm
Shade in sculpted foam
Ligne roSeT
mooDS
WHiTerhinoScented candle
h. 16 cm, burning time 150 hrs
BAoBAB
BiDumLAeTiTiA FLorin
Ø 47/66 x h. 40 cm / Ø 80 x h. 50 cm
Sprung steel, each covered
in a strip of cotton
Ligne roSeT
hyBriDenoé DuCHAuFour-LAWrAnCe
w. 235 x d. 98 x h. 63/87cm
Fabric, brilliant-chromed base
Ligne roSeT
CuTeCuTXXmCeDriC rAgoT
w. 235 x d. 98 x h. 63/87cm
resin, polyester and fiberglass lacquered
roCHe BoBoiS
mooDS
genevASounDSySTem Model XL
w. 55 x d. 37 x h. 81 cm
Wood cabinet, floor stand in
satin chrome aluminum finish
geneVA SounD
rABBiTLAmPFront
Ø 28.5 x h. 54 cm
PVC/cotton shade, polyester base
Moooi
okumiSTuDio CAToir
w. 86 x d. 83 x h. 72.5 cm
Structure & base in solid wood,
seat cushion in polyurethane
Ligne roSeT
MASKLAmPSTeFAno gioVAnnoni
w. 32.5 x d. 19 x h. 75 cm
3D pressed oak veneer, chrome base
Moooi
gooDieMAriA JegLinSKA
Ø 33.5 x h. 39.5 cm
Seat in polyurethane foam, uniform fabric
Ligne roSeT
BeePoTVAneSSA MiTrAni
h. 20 cm
Blown glass and metal
VAneSSA MiTrAni
TuFTy-TooPATriCiA urquioLA
Fabric, removable covers
Modular sofa, varies in size
B&B iTALiA
JeLLyfiShSet of 7
w. 40 to 60 x h. 25 to 50 cm
Cotton and silk
VAneSSA MiTrAni
mooDS
MADAgASCArvAniLLAScented candle
h. 16 cm, burning time 150 hrs
BAoBAB
MonSTerBArSTooLMArCeL WAnDerS
w. 41 x d. 51 x h. 93 cm
Fire retardant synthetic leather on
foam upholstered steel frame
Moooi
oVerSCALefLAmeSJeAn MArie-MASSAuD
Structure made of metal profiles,
natural wax candle, pure cotton wick
Three sizes from h.20 to 50cm
B&B iTALiA
DeLfTBLue1MArCeL WAnDerS
w. 18.5 x d. 11.3 x h. 41 cm
Ceramic
Moooi
mooDS
DoyLgABrieLe & oSCAr BurATTi
w. 48 x d. 53 x h. 79.5 cm
Leather
B&B iTALiA
noLimiTLong vase
h. 32 cm
blown glass
VAneSSA MiTrAni
BeAu-TyLuiSA BoCCHieTTo
Ø 12 x h. 35 cm
silk-screen printing with enamel and silver
egiziA
oBLiqueMArCeL WAnDerS
w. 105 x d. 6 x h. 286 cm
Solid oak stained and lacquered
in 4 different colors
Moooi
BrAveneWworLDLAMPXLFreSHWeST
w. 93 x d. 130 x h. 270 cm
Solid oak frame and cast iron weights
Moooi
A STriking eXAmPLe of PoST-wAr BAuhAuS
design, Hazmieh’s Dar al Sayad building is one of
Beirut’s most intriguing landmarks. Designed by Karl, or
Karol, Schayer, a Polish architect who immigrated to
Lebanon during World War Two, Dar al Sayad is perhaps
Beirut’s clearest example of the tenants of this iconic
school.
Sitting upon raised columns and including
a latticework façade, Dar al Sayad was completed in
1954 and remains an example of clarity of thought and
the concept of designing while eschewing precedent.
utterly functional, at once modern, Dar al Sayad was a
clear example of how forward thinking design should,
indeed must, incorporate the latest technology
wherever possible.
Schayer and his team, interior designer
Fritz gotthelf, architect Wassek Adib and engineer Bahij
Makdissi went on to create a number of other Beiruti
landmarks including the AuB Alumni Club and the Shell
Building in raouche. none, however, has endured as
well as Dar al Sayad, a prime example of clarity of
design in the heart of Beirut.
W o r d s : L o u i S P A r K S
Being LABeLeD “The fATher of The ShoPPing
mall” is something most of us would cringe at, and so it
was with the designer of the gefinor Center, Victor
gruen. However, gruen’s meticulous attention to detail,
urban planning and a keen appreciation for the flow
and movement of people helped to create a most
modern, architecturally fascinating building in the form
of Hamra’s gefinor Center.
An American legend when it came to
creating commercial areas, gruen brought his talents to
Beirut in 1970 when this famous complex was built.
Featuring outdoor plazas, a rarity in today’s city,
through roads that compliment the building’s design,
and with unity in design linking the five blocks together
in a harmonious whole, the gefinor Center is an oddity
within the city, a visually pleasing commercial center.
At 55,000 square meters of office space,
and made up of a twenty-story tower, three six-story
buildings, and a three-story block, gefinor somehow
compliments the nearby AuB, a feat for which gruen is
rightfully lauded.
W o r d s : L o u i S P A r K S
The ShoPPing CenTer mighT Seem An ouTDATeD
concept, but in the 1950’s these all-in-one
arrangements were a new concept. Designed by Swiss
firm Addor & Julliard in 1956 and completed by 1961,
the Starco Center was the first self-contained shopping
center in Lebanon and was at the forefront of design.
Divided into several levels, the lowest two being
devoted to shops and travel agencies, the center
features a 22-story tower used as office space.
A mix of covered and open-air
walkways and a central plaza linking the four buildings,
created a sense of open space that was, and largely still
is, absent from traditional shopping areas in Beirut. The
idea that a commercial center could also be a social
environment was clearly at the forefront of the design
as space for a theatre was incorporated early on.
easy access, in terms of two main
vehicle entrances and a generous 10,000 square meter
underground car park set Starco apart from its
contemporaries. Set between the burgeoning Hamra
district and Beirut’s Downtown, Starco hinted at the
future and was a clear predecessor of the modern mall.
W o r d s : L o u i S P A r K S
LoCATeD AT The Beginning of BeiruT’S fAmouS
Hamra Street sits an extraordinary piece of architectural
design, Centre Sabbagh. Famous as the home of Bank
Audi in this bustling commercial area, the Centre
Sabbagh is something of a landmark. Designed by
architects Alfred roth, from Switzerland, and Alvar
Aalto, of Finland, in 1970, alongside Swiss firm Addor
and Julliard, the building features an innovative double
façade. Depending on the angle from which the
building is viewed, Centre Sabbagh boasts two entirely
different facades, making use of the building’s
orientation and the angle of the sun at varying times of
the day. Amid Hamra’s nondescript commercial and
residential structures, Centre Sabbagh sits as reminder
that inspired design can be married with practical
applications.
W o r d s : L o u i S P A r K S
AN NAHAR BLDG, +961 1 971 444/555 ZOUK HIGHWAY, +961 9 217 744/55 RING HIGHWAY, +961 1 971 573 555
AN NAHAR BLDG, +961 1 971 444/555 ZOUK HIGHWAY, +961 9 217 744/55 RING HIGHWAY, +961 1 971 573 555
AN NAHAR BLDG, +961 1 971 444/555 ZOUK HIGHWAY, +961 9 217 744/55 RING HIGHWAY, +961 1 971 573 555
AN NAHAR BLDG, +961 1 971 444/555 ZOUK HIGHWAY, +961 9 217 744/55 RING HIGHWAY, +961 1 971 573 555
ArmAnicomes homeW o r d s : o w e n a d a m s
THoSe WHo CHooSe To WeAr giorgio ArMAni oFTen Do So BeCAuSe THey LoVe THe SuPreMe quALiTy, THe eLegAnT DeSign, THe CoMForT, THe SLeeKneSS – uTTer reFineMenT AnD gooD TASTe WiTHouT MAKing A FLAMBoyAnT STATeMenT. THe SAMe PrinCiPLeS APPLy To THe iTALiAn DeSign guru’S LATeST VenTure: THe ArmAni hoTeL in HiS HoMe CiTy oF MiLAn.
accommodation, in deluxe,
signature and presidential suites, ranges
from 45 to 200 square meters, in natural
hues of creamy brown, green, mother-of-
pearl and armani’s own ‘greige’. facilities
such as minibars, cupboards and high-tech
amenities are discreetly hidden, reflecting
the stylist’s love of unfussy, non-cluttered
order and space.
privacy is also a prime
component – with even the smallest rooms
including a vestibule.
all furnishings carry the
armani/casa signature, but have been
devised in a range of finishes to reflect the
period atmosphere of the building and
milanese palazzo culture. armani casa
linens and fabrics abound, with custom
Opened last november in the
heart of italy’s fashion
capital, it’s a sequel to his
resort within 39 floors of the
world’s tallest skyscraper –
the Burj khalifa in Dubai - which opened
in 2010, the first of at least three resorts
and seven luxury Armani hotels to be
created in association with Dubai’s emaar
Properties.
where better to concentrate
on his second hotel venture than his home
town? giorgio armani made it his personal
labor of love – intricately designing all the
interiors, including each of the 95 rooms
and suites.
armani and emaar chose a
1937 building designed by enrico a griffini,
topped with a distinctive ‘glass hat’. the
austere rationalist-style architecture –
grand with no frills - was perfect for armani
to realize his stated goal of “concentrating
all my efforts on delivering my personal
aesthetic vision within a precisely defined
ambience of total comfort”.
the absolute armani
experience is one which strives for total
harmony, an exquisite sanctuary where
nothing can puncture the sublime calm.
furniture, such as fabric-clad linear sofas
and backlit wooden bed-heads, in harmony
with the architecture.
the presidential suites are on
two floors, and include internal staircases to
rooms, with small entrance halls.
the bathrooms are designed
for use by two people, but the luxurious
showers have one-way glass, making them
opaque from the outside. each bathroom’s
floors and walls have a deliciously smooth
asian limestone finish named silk georgette.
unlike many hotels, the
communal areas – including the gourmet
restaurant, Bamboo lounge, business center,
spa with six treatment rooms and a suite for
couples, fitness gym and pool – are located
within the top two floors, the ‘glass hat’,
with panoramic views taking in the nearby
cathedral and La scala opera house, as well
as the main fashion shopping street – with
sunscreen walls to repel over-bright light.
in every fine detail, the most
serene grandeur is assured by the man
himself, giorgio armani.
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Any ViSiTor To THe SWeDiSH PorT CiTy oF goTHenBurg WiLL FinD iT iMPoSSiBLe To MiSS THe neW CLArion hoTeL PoST. SiTuATeD neXT To THe CenTrAL TrAin STATion, THe 1920S-BuiLT neo-CLASSiCAL ForMer PoST oFFiCe CAn’T FAiL To MAKe A grAnD iMPreSSion. iT’S THe FLAgSHiP eLeMenT in A PoST-inDuSTriAL CiTy THAT’S Been reVAMPeD AS THe norTHern euroPeAn CenTer oF ALL THAT’S CooL AnD HiP.
B&B iTALiA BringS iTS SignATure DeSign To SWeDenW o r d s : o w e n a d a m s
On 26 January 2012, 10,000
people witnessed the opening
of a new chapter in the
building’s history – a
spectacular 4D multimedia
projection extravaganza with
orchestration and fireworks to mark its
phoenix-like rebirth as a luxury 500-room
hotel, the largest in the norwegian chain’s
portfolio.
Local architects semrén &
månsson ensured the historical features of
the building were preserved, while adding a
modern central block at the rear built in
symphony with the existing facades, from
copper and slate, capped by a luxury suite
with an outdoor swimming pool and sun
lounge.
the firm’s ceo, and professor
of architecture, magnus månsson, said his
designers used “classical and imperial colors
that radiate the impression of splendor,
luxury and light”, to neatly contrast with the
black, white and gray flooring in stone,
ceramic materials and textiles.
the rooms have been furnished
throughout by world-feted brand B&B italia,
dipping into its collections and also providing
custom-made pieces for its first
scandinavian hotel venture, with norway’s
anemone wille våge designing the interiors.
scattering modern art works
throughout the vast building, he chose dark,
warm colors to represent the new
gothenburg – a hotbed for creativity in
architecture, fashion and technology rising
from the former transport and
manufacturing powerhouse – and to
complement B&B italia’s modern furniture.
the result is a cosy, welcoming atmosphere.
the hotel reflects a “jeans and
tweed” rather than super-elite, image;
modern, funky and functional but not cold
and minimalist. it’s all aimed at creating a
central meeting point, a giant ‘lounge’, for
gothenburgers and visitors to the city alike.
primarily designed as a business hotel, there
are no less than 17 spacious rooms available
for conferences and public events such as art
exhibitions and fashion shows, including the
old letter-sorting room.
guests will recognize many of
the features of the original post office
preserved, such as the cathedral-sized post
hall with its soaring decorative ceiling and
high windows. in the spacious atrium lobby,
the red panels of a post van are mounted on
to the wall above the elevators act as a
further reminder of the building’s heritage,
while B&B italia furnishings, a calculated
mismatch with slanting bookshelves, adorn
the creatively inspiring post Bar.
the beds in the rooms are
scattered with cushions and pillows,
continuing the atmosphere of leisurely
luxury, laissez-faire comfort and
convenience, with flat-screen tvs, ipod
docks and internet access all within easy
reach of the beds, which – like everything
here – are generally king-size.
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Dori hiTTi BringS ATMoSPHere To An
eXCLuSiVe ABoDeW o r d s : L o u i S P A r K S
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Overlooking Beirut’s
stunning new waterfront,
marina Towers is one of the
city’s most exclusive
residences. With sweeping
vistas of the Mediterranean and Downtown
alike, the location proved inspiring for Dori
Hitti when he was commissioned to create
a bespoke family apartment.
As ever, Hitti approached the
project with clear goals, “The client was
looking for purity, harmony and a light
atmosphere,” he said. Hitti’s clean,
minimalist style led him to create a sharp,
modern interior, bathed in white light
enhanced by the straight lines and sharp
edges of the interior detailing. “We
introduced a white ambiance to the
apartment, lines give harmony and purity
to the atmosphere, and a clean overall
environment,” he said.
This natural, simple elegance
is balanced by the breathtaking views of
the Mediterranean, providing a stunning
backdrop to this most sophisticated of
apartments. “The view of the Marina and
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the seafront helped us to realize the
design. We usually seek peace and
harmony in our projects, and the
combination of the fireplace on one side
and the sea view on the opposing side
and the earth beneath you, gives a sense
of harmony for people sitting in this
area,” said Hitti of the central sitting
area. The fireplace itself is an example of
fine detailing; gray stone and a modern
take on a natural fire catch the eye,
intriguing yet not overdone.
By far the most striking part of
the residence is the lighting; the entire
apartment is bathed in a warm, inviting
light and much of that, according to Hitti,
is down to the attention to detail paid to
the lighting fixtures themselves. “The
existing height we had in the apartment
contributed to our creativity to
suspensions and large scale ceiling
fixtures,” he said. The use of mirrors
allowed Hitti to play with the available
space, creating the illusion that it was
larger, and the wide, flowing rooms
allowed light to pour through the entire
apartment, he said.
The simple, elegance of the
apartment leaves room for personal
touches such as the antique chest at the
entrance, or the quotes written on the
walls by the door, welcoming guests and
the family into their home. Married with
Hitti’s traditional, simple approach to
minimalist design, these small touches add
individual flair to this, obviously very
personal, apartment.
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Product Design 909192939495
Art & Culture 96979899100101102103104105
Books 106107108109110111112
inSuLABy SAiFi ATTiCS
W o r d s : a L i a f a w a z
eXquiSiTe HoMeS THAT Are
ConCePTuALizeD AnD DeSigneD
To BeneFiT SPACe AnD To SuiT your neeDS
Insula is a new contemporary
housing development in gemmayze
with a difference. it is a state of the
art residential building which will
provide its clients with an added
option of interior design culminating in an
investment that literally delivers a complete
home; ready to move into.
An in house design consultant
is a relatively new concept in Lebanon as
home buyers usually involve a third party
and commission them separately. insula
has developed four stunning design options
suggested and executed by its own
internationally recognized and respected
design consultant, Karen Chekerdjian.
Keeping it harmonious with
the architecture, the finishing and
furnishings offered are of the highest
standard all with a modern and timeless
twist. Four apartment units on the second
floor will come fully furnished while the rest
of the units can be furnished upon request.
There is no obligation to buy them
furnished.
“insula is unique in that it
offers a variety of different sizes ranging
from 90 m2 up to 1400 m2. “unlike ten
years ago property prices have risen so
much that most people cannot afford a
500 m2 apartment s in Beirut anymore,”
explains Chekerdjian. “This is why we want
to show clients that a 170 m2 is actually a
livable space for a family.” Changing the
Lebanese mindset that less can be
adequate, insula’s smaller four furnished
units will be decorated in the different
themes whilst showing how space can be
cleverly maximized.
“We are taking risks to do so
many different apartment sizes. They are
tailor made like a made to order dress,” she
explains. These size options ultimately cost
more for the developers, but give clients
the flexibility to choose what suits their
needs and budgets.
Modern and entirely
inspirational, here are the different interiors
that can come with insula
‘in the moment’ is literally for
those who wish to be living in the present
when it comes to design practice. Home
becomes a contemporary and edgy
sanctuary with this option. Contrary to zen,
colors and shapes are contrasted to create
an unexpected ambience. Furniture is new
and entirely original.
‘Forever simple’ keeps the tone
low key yet undeniably luxurious.
Appropriately described as understated
elegance, it is more modern mainstream. it
is defined by straight lines, nice fibers and
smooth colors. The theme that Chekerdjian
feels will appeal to most people in
Lebanon.
‘At a standstill’ offers a zen
domestic style where tranquility and purity
is the objective. The key is balance. Light
wood is selected versus dark and the
furniture pieces are consequently sourced
from Scandinavia and Japan.
‘Time and again’ is where
success stories from the design world of
the 50’s 60’s, 70’s and 80’s inspire the
setting. The mood is high-end with pure
comfort in mind. Timeless classics are
featured giving the home a familiar
richness. Here furniture can be reminiscent
of the big maestros like Franco Albini, 50’s
American dream team Charles and ray
eames or even a Charlotte Perriand known
for her trend-setting chairs.
With its striking innovative
architecture, tailor made approach and
forward thinking interior design offering,
insula is sure to set the pace for more
developers to start thinking outside the box
and produce iconic residences that mark
the new Beirut.
A Tale of Istanbul...Rixos Pera IstanbulThe story, set within the historical peninsula and Golden Horn,is coming alive once more. Magnificent history meets with contemporary comfort and well-known gourmet venues, at Rixos Pera Istanbul.
www.rixos.com Kamerhatun Mah. Meşrutiyet Cad. No:44 Tepebaşı TAKSIM - ISTANBUL / TURKEY T: +90 212 373 01 00
THe TeMPerATure’S riSing AnD THAT
SuMMer FeeLing iS in THe Air. Join Le CerCLe AS iT
BringS you THe FreSHeST
SerVing oF THiS SeASon’S HoTTeST
ouTDoor STyLe
dedon
emu
B&B itaLia outdoor
Ligne roset outdoor
p56
p58
p59
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A Tale of Istanbul...Rixos Pera IstanbulThe story, set within the historical peninsula and Golden Horn,is coming alive once more. Magnificent history meets with contemporary comfort and well-known gourmet venues, at Rixos Pera Istanbul.
www.rixos.com Kamerhatun Mah. Meşrutiyet Cad. No:44 Tepebaşı TAKSIM - ISTANBUL / TURKEY T: +90 212 373 01 00
Design: Norbert Beck
If you listen to your senses,
you’ll experienceall that’s beautiful and exhilarating
in this world.Rolf Benz MIO, where i feel good.
FOR AN ALL-ROUNDGOOD FEELING.ROLF BENZ 582.
Design: Joachim Nees
BACK To BASiCS
For Le Cercle’s 10th
anniversary, we wanted to go
back to the basics; the basics
of great design, the classic
shapes which have endured,
and the lasting inspiration that nature
can be. From classic garments like the Little
Black Dress, a staple in any woman’s
wardrobe for timeless elegance, to the
design of the Fifty chair which was inspired
by a shape the designer found comfortable
when lying on a sandy beach.
We also explore ways that
people are choosing to return to a basic
way of living; in South Africa, Babylonstoren
allows you to farm the food you eat,
appreciating what nature gives back to
those who work the land. This idea of
giving back to nature is also central to the
Dar-Hi eco-lodge in Tunisia, which offers a
sustainable experience in beautiful
surroundings.
Lastly, we appreciate the
quality of natural forms of design. This
includes exploring the traditional handcraft
techniques of Japanese design, which are
often inspired by nature’s solutions; a hot
stone bath for example. But we also turn to
covetable, natural fabrics created in a
sustainable way by Sri Lankan communities
and a new natural line of beautifully
packaged soaps which have become
available in Beirut.
BACkW o r d s : f e r n a n d e v a n t e t s
to
BACK To BASiCS
finLAnDDeSign
norDiCLighTS
W o r d s : S H i r i n e S A A D
hAkku kähönen
industrial designer Hannu
Kähönen creates “design for
all,” emphasizing accessibility
and environmental impact. His
birch plywood 2F Folding Chair
(2005) unfolds backward and
forward, in two different colors.
why is finnish design so
deeply linked to nature?
Most Finns live in a close
relationship to nature and
have great respect for it.
Finnish design naturally reflects
those values.
how is your work ecological?
As a designer i feel that the
best way of influencing the
environment positively is to
design products that can be
used for a long time. i try to
design products that are
made of local materials and
by local people.
how can design create a
better world?
The designer has one
responsibility: to promote
values by which we can live a
better life by designing things
that are enjoyable for all
and improve everyday life but
don’t harm anyone or nature.
iLkkA SuPPAnen
ilkka Suppanen’s studio works
in interior, product and concept
design and architecture. His
pendant lamps for Tikau were
made in the village of orissa in
india, where artisans wove local
bamboo into organic basket-
like shapes.
why is finnish design so
deeply linked to nature?
in Finland nature is pure,
untouched. We all spend time
in nature during our holidays.
how is your work ecological?
it is long lasting and
meaningful. So people won’t
throw it away.
how can design create a
better world?
i believe that design is actually
an action where the world can
be a better place.
FinLAnD’S STArK nATure HAS ALWAyS
inSPireD iConiC FinniSH DeSignerS
SuCH AS ALVAr AALTo AnD eero
SAArinen. ToDAy, AS THe CounTry
CeLeBrATeS iTS noMinATion AS WorLD CAPiTAL
oF DeSign, A neW generATion
oF DeSignerS reFLeCTS on THe
LinKS BeTWeen THe enVironMenT AnD
PeoPLe.
SAri AnTTonen
Award winning architect and
interior designer Sari Anttonen
is also a trained cabinetmaker.
in 1996, she created the Tubab
project in Senegal, working with
metal and wood craftsmen to
produce a line of recycled
furniture.
why is finnish design so
deeply linked to nature?
Finnish lifestyle and Finnish
design have a very direct
connection with nature. nature
is part of our everyday life and it
is deeply linked to everything
we do.
how is your work ecological?
Customers are more and more
aware of ecological issues. in
furniture design i am seeking
long lasting and adjustable
solutions and smart structures
and materials. in interior design
it is always possible to favor
more ecological materials,
fittings and products.
how can design create a
better world?
good design creates smart
solutions, consumes less
natural resources and produces
little waste.
AnSSi LASSiLA
The two partners of this
architecture firm, Anssi Lassila
and Teemu Hirvilammi, work in
Aalto’s spirit, favoring
ecological designs and pure
lines. Their churches are
minimalistic and stark havens
for contemplation, with solid,
organic shapes and wooden
interiors.
why is finnish design so
deeply linked to nature?
Finns are allowed to hike in
nature and pick berries and
mushrooms regardless of who
owns the land.
how is your work ecological?
i often include local expertise
and materials into my design
and try to find the most natural
and suitable solution for each
place. At its best, this means
that the building is built using
local timber and all the useless
elements are discarded.
how can design create a
better world?
Functional, aesthetic and
reasonable design considers
people and the environment.
Seiji Lukkala, globe hope
globe Hope transforms
recycled materials into clothes,
bags, jewels and laptop covers
using army material, clothes,
tent covers, navy sacks, sails,
seat belts or advertising
banners.
why is finnish design so
deeply linked to nature?
nature has always been very
important to the Finnish
people. Today, while Finnish
society has become very
technologically oriented and
the economy relies more and
more on businesses of
technological expertise, the
role of nature has become
even bigger.
how is your work ecological?
All my work is based on
ecology, ethics and aesthetics.
All our products, clothes, bags,
accessories, are made from
recycled material. All our
working processes are as
ecological as possible. We
consider ecology and ethics in
all we do.
how can design create a
better world?
Design is an efficient way of
influencing society. We want to
give people an opportunity to
make sensible decisions.
BACK To BASiCS
mATALiCrASSeTorienTALiSTDreAmSW o r d s b y : S H i r i n e S A A D
Rising in the desert,
the eco-lodge
consists of eight
ochre structures
housing simple bedrooms
with panoramic views. The
sand colored walls, palm wood
furniture, traditional cotton bed
covers and flashes of acid
colors create an atmosphere of
organic modernity reminiscent
of the Star Wars décor, which
still thrones in the nearby
desert. When entering the
majestic hotel, one removes
their shoes and wears leather
babouches. The smell of fresh
lamb couscous from the
kitchen fills the lounge area
with warmth and spices.
Frédérique grasset Hermé, a
chef and the ex-wife of pastry
master Pierre Hermé,
supervises the menu, making
light, tasty dishes using
exclusively local ingredients.
outside, there are beds to read,
chat or lie on in the desert sun;
a saltwater pool and a state of
the art hammam. Here, life is
simple and healthy, and it
mirrors the traditions of the
city’s habitants. oFTen euroPeAnS FALL in LoVe WiTH
THe MySTerieS oF THe eAST
AnD iTS SenSuAL TrADiTionS AnD
LAnDSCAPeS. For MATALi CrASSeT,
one oF THe STArS oF FrenCH DeSign
AnD A PHiLiPPe STArCK ProTégée, THe DAr hi hoTeL ProJeCT in neFTA,
TuniSiA WAS An oPPorTuniTy
To CreATe A DiALogue WiTH
THe SurrounDing DuneS, PALM groVeS AnD
PeoPLe. noT your TyPiCAL reSorT
This fluid, grassroots approach is
a signature of the Hi hotel chain,
which Crasset has created with
hotel entrepreneurs Philippe
Chapelet and Patrick elouarghi.
Together they work on creating
unique contemporary hotel
experiences that reflect local
values. “The Hi hotel wasn’t
meant to be duplicated,” says
Crasset. “it has been conceived
as a laboratory that is not
duplicable.” every guest creates
their own experience depending
on their needs and tastes, such
as expeditions in the deserts, a
visit to date factories, spa
treatments and yoga classes.
“Dar Hi is not a hotel or a
classical spa,” says elouarghi,
“but a place where you can
experience withdrawal and
benefit from a spiritual
thalassotherapy a few hours
away from Paris and in the
middle of the desert.”
from rurAL To urBAn
Crasset often credits her rural
background for this fresh
approach to design, where shapes
are fluid and in touch with our
surrounding environment. Born in
Châlons-en-Champagne in a
family of farmers, she studied
marketing before discovering a
calling for design. After graduating
from the ecole nationale
Supérieure de Création industrielle
she worked for Denis Santachiara
then Philippe Starck. in 1997 the
city of Paris awarded her the
grand Prix du Design; the
following year Crasset launched
her own agency.
hi-mATiC
For those not able to travel to
Tunisia, Crasset has recently
opened a Hi hotel in Paris, in the
hip east Bastille area, an urban
eco-lodge inspired by the
Japanese riokan, the youth hostel
and the country B&B. each room
is built like a cabin and is entirely
adaptable to the guest’s needs;
the bed turns into a sofa, the
room turns into an office, a dining
space or a relaxing haven. in the
lobby, essential oils and music by
german label Kompakt create a
warm, friendly atmosphere.
guests mingle there or at the
restaurant. And for those who
need guides or cds, the Hi matic
shop in a vending machine offers
everything you need. The main
idea: total freedom.
BACK To BASiCS
To THe JADeD ConTeMPorAry TrAVeLer,
WeSTern CounTrieS CAn Be LiKeneD To A
BoX oF CHoCoLATeS. SHAPeS AnD FLAVorS
MAy CHAnge, BuT THe CoMMonALTieS ouTWeigH
THe DiFFerenCeS: you oFTen KnoW WHAT you Are going To geT. THe SAMe CAn APPLy To THe
LeSS DeVeLoPeD PArTS oF THe WorLD, WHiCH
WHiLe HAVing WonDerFuL SCenery AnD inTereSTing HiSToriCAL SiTeS uSuALLy
LACK THe DeLigHTS oF HigH CuLTure THAT
giVe A “VALueD-ADDeD” eXPerienCe.
Filling that gap for
the exotic, the
traditional, the
modern and the
unexpected is Japan, a place
that revels in attention to
detail and has plenty of
quirks to turn the head of the
“seen-it-all-before” traveler.
Take green Kit-Kat chocolate
bars and ice cream made from
wasabi (horseradish), the
cornucopia of candies that line
store shelves, or sushi bento
boxes carefully displayed at
train stations. indeed, from a
culinary point alone Japan
offers a smörgåsbord of tastes
and flavors, with dishes varying
from one province or city to
the next.
High culture is
equally in abundance at
museums and galleries in
Tokyo, or out in the inland Sea
at naoshima, an art island that
boasts a collection ranging
from Claude Monet to Andy
Warhol to Japanese artist
Kusama yayoi.
For the design
enthusiast, there is little need to
venture from Tokyo, where
certain districts offer a glimpse
of what a futuristic metropolis
looks like, while stores stock
cutting edge design and
graphics. innovative use of
space is a further curiosity,
developed out of necessity in a
mega city where close to 13
million people live in an area of
2,187 square kilometers,
equivalent to just 0.6 percent of
Japan’s landmass. Such
innovative design ranges from
cubicles for sleeping in to
automated parking lots that
fLAvorof TheeASTW o r d s b y : P A u L C o C H r A n e
© paul cochrin
store cars and bicycles in
underground cylinders.
The visitor in
search of the more historical
Japan will have to travel away
from the capital, ideally on a
high-speed bullet train, to the
World Heritage sites of Kyoto
and nara, and the island of
Miyajima close to Hiroshima.
But venturing beyond the
“tourist triangle” of Tokyo,
Kyoto and Hiroshima shows
another side of the country.
Down in the far
south on the Satsuma
peninsula lies Sakurajima, an
active volcano that has minor
eruptions throughout the day
that covers the island in fine
gray dust. out of the core of
the island springs forth hot
sulphuric water, ideal for a foot
bath or a visit to an onsen – a
public bath - where you can
soak in 40 degree plus waters.
Further along the coast in
ibusuki is an onsen with a twist.
right on the
shoreline, bathers change into
a thin cotton kimono and go
down to a dark gray sandy
beach to lie down. There two
women shovel on hot volcanic
sand, with the weight of the
sand piling up until you cannot
move. Some 15 minutes later
the “sand bather” emerges
soaked in perspiration. An
alleged de-toxifier and blood
purifier, the sand soak is
followed up with a dip in the
onsen and can be topped off
with a local delicacy - raw
chicken sashimi. Chocolate
anyone?
© paul cochrin
BACK To BASiCS
A nATurAL eSCAPeW o r d s b y : H e L e n A S S A F
BAByLonSToren PreSerVeS THe BeST oF
CAPe FArMing TrADiTionS
A trip back in time as well as
through the glory of nature is
what you get with a visit to
Babylonstoren, which lies 45
minutes from Cape Town international
Airport. This farm is one of the best
preserved of those in the Cape Dutch
tradition and was founded in 1690. Today it
offers a gloriously natural escape from the
hustle and bustle of life, either for day
visitors or staying guests. The latter can
choose from stylishly designed suites
whose whitewashed exteriors and thatched
roofs recall those of the 17th and 18th
century Cape Colony farm buildings. With a
nod to the mythical garden of Babylon,
Babylonstoren’s own garden is more than
impressive, spanning eight hectares and
integrating a formal structure. over 300
varieties of edible plants are grown and
harvested here year-round for use in the
onsite restaurant, where an extensive wine
list featuring wines grown on the
surrounding Simonsberg mountains can
also be sampled. guests are free to join in
the harvesting of vegetables, berries and
fruits, picking their own salad should they
desire, or simply enjoying a guided
educational tour of the garden. Further
afield walks past wild olives and oaks, or
thousands of clivias in spring bloom
alongside the bubbling stream, add to the
idyllic ambiance that reigns throughout this
peaceful resort.
www.babylonstoren.com
BACK To BASiCS
Each Barefoot item is
individually made
with genuine
passion, in an ethical
setting that means the end
consumer can hold their head
up high. rather than corralling
women into work, Barefoot
brings work to women’s
homes, many in villages with
centuries-old weaving
traditions.
Without any need
for brand promotion and
advertising campaigns, Barefoot
products have been much-
coveted and desired by the Sri
Lankan elite since the 1970s,
their high prices justified by the
artisan quality, careful selection
and vibrant designs. even
through new generations of
management, the pursuit of
profit has remained secondary
to dissemination of the
company’s high moral values
and approach to continuing
craft tradition and continuing to
think local.
initially selling
fabrics and finished clothes and
other textiles from her home in
a quiet residential street in
Colombo, Barefoot then moved
into a retail space in the city,
and began producing home
furnishings, bags, soft toys and
sarongs – eventually for tourists
as well as the upper echelons
of Sri Lankan society.
While mass
production for global apparel
trades is the norm in Sri Lanka,
Sansoni’s vision has ensured
bespoke pieces made to
commission by traditional
craftspeople in their villages
travel to an exclusive clientele
across the world. Barefoot has
deliberately expanded slowly to
ensure the brand wouldn’t
compromise on artisan quality,
gradually reaching tentacles to
trusted outlets, sympathetic to
Barefoot’s people-centred
ideals.
Carousel Design
represents Barefoot in Lebanon,
as well as retailing other fabric
and home items, carefully
selected for their color and
elegance, from Japan to italy.
Carousel’s collaboration with
Barefoot is one important
episode of a continuously
evolving adventure, respecting
trends and hailing innovation,
while celebrating life
surrounded by top-flight design.
BArefooTfinDS iTSfooTingin BeiruTW o r d s : o W e n A D A M S
neVer MenTion THe WorD
‘FACTory’ To BArBArA SAnSoni:
THe ArTiST-FounDer oF
BArefooT HAS SPenT THe PAST
48 yeArS SingLe-HAnDeDLy BuCKing
THe TrenD For ASSeMBLy-Line
MACHinATion in TeXTiLeS WHiLe
SAVing Sri LAnKAn rurAL HAnDiCrAFTS
FroM eXTinCTion.
BACK To BASiCS
His aim is to transform the
elemental power of the wind
into something that seems like
a living being, one perhaps
normally found while in a
dream state. The creator sees it
as more than an art work, but
as an ephemeral tool.
Matsumura
explains: “This tool hasn’t a
concrete practical utility for
daily life, but we can wake up
to the daily microscopic things
around us if we use this. it’s
important to become
conscious of the unconscious.
This tool is designed to
communicate with nature and
to get back the primitive
conception of nature.”
The work made its
debut at the iMAginATure
exhibition at Milan’s Post
Design gallery (Memphis),
moving on to the italian city’s
Fuori Salone space in April. The
Voice of Winds comes in the
wake of a range of work also
heavily dipped in naturalistic
impulses – furniture shaped like
traditional boats, and a
department-store installation in
Tokyo of transparent fabric
strips suspended to form a
virtual misty pine forest.
Matsumura’s new moniker,
Firm., has presumably been
chosen to signify his aim to
create industrial, urban
applications of the primitive,
dream-based otherworld which
came before the consumer
age; rediscovered roots
through unprecedented new
tools.
The voiCeof winDSwhiSPerSDeSire ToreTurn TonATureW o r d s : o W e n A D A M S
in JAPAneSe AnTiquiTy, THe
WinD WAS SACreD, AnD WinD-
WorSHiPPerS LiSTeneD
CAreFuLLy To THe noiSeS iT MADe,
AnD inTerPreTeD THe SounD
ACCorDingLy.
The voice of winds, a
dreamy visual and
audio sculpture
produced by Tokyo
designer kazunori
matsumura’s newly
established firm.,
encompasses those ideas with
an urgent desire to get back to
nature, to rediscover the
natural phenomena he revelled
in during a childhood spent in
Hokkaido.
earthenware pipes
arranged in shapes to form a
two-meter wide, one-meter
deep, and one-meter-high tree
branch, with a blanched-white
look suggesting the bones of
animated beings, who each
channel a soundtrack of winds
digitally captured in the indian
desert last year by Matsumura.
BACK To BASiCS
As an added
tribute, Chanel recently held an
exhibition in Tokyo, which
showcased 113 of the
beautifully-taken photos across
two floors. The opening of the
exhibition, which was attended
by Lagerfeld and roitfeld,
featured a star-studded guest
list including some of the
Chanel ambassadors who
appear in the book such as
Vanessa Paradis, gaspard ulliel
and Sarah Jessica Parker.
The range of
celebrities photographed is as
diverse as one would expect
from the creative genius that is
Lagerfeld, taking in yoko ono,
Jane Birkin, Sofia Coppola,
Claudia Schiffer and uma
Thurman. Male models,
including Waris Ahluwalia and
Kanye West, show us that the
jacket is as unisex as it is
timeless. Look out for roitfeld
who features in the book
dressed in tribute to the queen
of French fashion herself, Coco
Chanel.
See the photos at: http://
thelittleblackjacket.chanel.com/fr
LAgerfeLDreviSiTSA ChAneLCLASSiCW o r d s : M i r i A M D u n n
CeLeBriTieS Join DeSign LegenD
To PAy TriBuTe To THe LiTTLe BLACk
JACkeT
What better way to
celebrate a
Chanel classic
than by inviting a
diverse mix of world famous
celebrities to give the
garment their own, individual
stamp and then pose in it for
the camera?
you would expect
no less from the design guru
Karl Lagerfeld who has revisited
one of the luxury line’s most
iconic pieces – the little black
jacket – and shown us just how
versatile it can be by
photographing a long list of
celebrities, ranging from actors
and musicians to models,
wearing it.
The stunning black
and white photos will now
feature in a book which marks a
fascinating collaboration with
the former model and once
editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris,
Carine roitfeld. Aptly named
‘The Little Black Jacket:
Chanel’s Classic revisited by
Karl Lagerfeld and Carine
roitfeld’, the book’s photos
capture the individuality of each
model, all of whom were styled
by roitfeld, allowing their
personality to shine through
while also highlighting just how
wearable and adaptable a
Chanel staple is.
BACK To BASiCS
This show-stopping
piece incorporates
a lounger, coffee
table, stool and
magazine rack in one flowing
object, the shape recalls
Bauhaus and other early
20th-century avant-garde art
movements, while the
materials echo Lebanese
tradition.
A dark wooden
frame supports rattan panels
traditionally used on sidewalk
cafe and trottoir seats in
Lebanon, while its detachable
embroidered cushion echoes
the lhaf – the quilt used in
Lebanese mountain houses
during winter.
Living Space iii
transcends the boundary of
untouchable exhibition
installation to laidback furniture
by sanding down sections of
the black wood, especially at
the head and feet, for an
inviting, lived-in appeal.
it was initially
designed as one of an
international range of limited-
edition commissions for the
pop-up Corwan gallery’s recent
Design Days Dubai show. The
stylistic fusion of contemporary
and traditional Middle eastern
and german-modernist
coincides with the assertion
made by Corwan founders’
Pascale Wakim and nicolas
Bellavance-Lecompte, that
Beirut has changed from being
the Paris to the Berlin of the
Middle east, in terms of the
city’s thriving underground
culture and vibrant art, design
and haute couture scenes.
LivingSPACeiiiW o r d s : o W e n A D A M S
on FirST iMPreSSion, iT
HAS THe LooK-BuT-Don’T-
TouCH AeSTHeTiC oF SCuLPTure,
or eVen An ArCHiTeCTurAL
MoDeL, BuT KAren CHeKerDJiAn
HAS DeSigneD Living SPACe iii AS
SoMeTHing you FuLLy inHABiT.
committed to high-quality
craftsmanship and respect for
the environment.
All raw ingredients
are of the highest quality; the
wax is mineral and non-oily and
is of the most superior quality
and purity anywhere. The
fragrances are elaborated by a
well known ‘nose’ in grasse,
the temple of the perfume
industry. And the entire
packaging process is created by
hand, from the vase down to
the label on the box and the
finishing touch of a black
ribbon tied lovingly around the
product. The company
encourages recycling of the
containers, as a glass, vase or
even a champagne bucket!
Baobab candles
are available globally in 500
select retailers, one of which is
Le Cercle Hitti.
BAoBABCoLLeCTioninSPireDBy AfriCAW o r D S B y : F e r n A n D e V A n T e T S
THe BAoBAB CoLLeCTion HAiLS FroM THe STePPeS
oF TAnzAniA, AnD THiS AFriCAn HeriTAge CAn Be
SenSeD THrougH THe BeWiTCHing FrAgrAnCeS oF
iTS HAnDMADe PerFuMeD CAnDLeS.
Baobab has a large
collection of
decorated candles
presented in
transparent and colored
glass vases, which are all
blown by craftsmen, or
stainless steel holders. There
are five different sizes, the
largest of which, the ‘Maxi Max’,
weighs an astonishing ten kg
and burns for almost a
thousand hours.
The candles have
been created in Belgium since
2004, and the brand is
BACK To BASiCS
The Copenhagen-
based designers
took as their
template the 1950
flag halvard Chair of hans
wegner, a recliner chair in
metal and cord. The eminent
designer dreamt up the
concept while lying on the
beach on holiday at the Danish
seaside town of Aarhus, a chair
that replicated the indents he’d
made in the sand to relax his
back and arms; legend has it he
began weaving by hand 240
meters of cord for the seat
while on the same beach. He
attached it to a stainless-steel
frame, and thus fused futuristic
minimalism with supreme
comfort. Also known as the
PP225, the chair still represents
the pinnacle of Scandinavian
furniture design, and is still
sought after by anyone wanting
comfort and timeless chic.
The Dogg &
Amved collaboration married
their two interests in traditional
craftsmanship and new
techniques, materials and
textures, to hand-weave for the
seat 350 meters of
polypropylene cord, available in
dyed tobacco or black – treated
with anti-uV material to stop
deterioration, synthetic
materials in organic form,
contrasted by the minimalist
black-lacquered steel structure.
They elaborated on Wegner’s
classic design so Fifty is equally
suited to indoor and outdoor,
and for the most flexible use.
The pair designed
a straight backrest suitable for
watching TV, reading or resting,
with woven ears on either side
of the headrest to create a
feeling of intimacy. The
optional footrest can be applied
for total relaxation.
Fifty, whether
placed in the sun lounge, in the
living room or on the beach
itself, has a mighty sculptural
presence, as well as being
designed for long life.
fifTy:An uPDATeTo A CLASSiCDeSignW o r d s : o W e n A D A M S
DAniSH MoDerniST FurniTure
DeSign HAS Been DrAggeD 60 yeArS
ForWArD inTo THe PreSenT TiMe
WiTH THe fifTy ChAir By Dögg
guDMunDSDoTTir AnD rüTzou
AMVeD.
BACK To BASiCS
Founded initially in
france as a
bentwood walking-
stick manufacturer
in 1860, from 1936 onwards
Ligne roset moved into
upholstered furniture and
other items, until it created
an entire lifestyle range with
global appeal, and continues
to sign up the foremost
european designers and
rising stars to stay one step
ahead in both innovation and
elegant aesthetic.
Dutto’s playful yet
practical designs are inspired
directly by sounds and moving
images, both close at hand and
far off; she specializes in trying
to turn wild imagination into
grounded reality. La Secrète is
a much-warranted update on
the classic elegant secretaires
of times past, and influenced
equally by French comic titan
Jacques Tati and the fictional
secret service agent James
Bond.
The designer
made the walnut and chrome
combo piece as part of her
graduate show Cabinet.
Containing a drawer to conceal
trinkets, and a space to stow a
small laptop with a facility
through which to feed the
cable, as well as other recesses
for documents and other
valuable items, the strut-
mounted flap lid can be used as
a writing surface when shut.
Mounted on four
solid walnut legs, with brilliant-
chrome crosspieces and
balance rail, the walnut-
veneered MDF structure
extends to a folding document
tray and drawers. Although
petite, La Secrète is capable of
containing a great many
secrets. yet the bold statement
it makes in a room is a
tantalizing opaque window into
the unknown.
reveALingThe SeCreTSBehinDLA SeCrèTeW o r d s : o W e n A D A M S
LA SeCrèTe iS BoTH PoeTiC AnD
FunCTionAL – THe MuLTi-PurPoSe
SeCreTAry DeSK iS THe WorK oF A grADuATe FroM
FrAnCe’S enSCi (nATionAL SCHooL
oF inDuSTriAL DeSign), PHiLiPPine
DuTTo. iTS STriKing inDiViDuALiSTiC
DeSign WAS ConSiDereD WorTHy oF
inCLuSion in THe LATeST Ligne roSeT
CoLLeCTion: THe SHoWCASe oF
SHoWCASeS For FrenCH DeSignerS.
BACK To BASiCS
shower, to bars, luxury paste
and even massage oils.
With no heat
involved in the crafting process,
the soaps retain the valuable
properties of their ingredients,
including the wonderfully
healing powers of botanical
herbs, resulting in a
moisturizing and long-lasting,
yet beautifully mild product.
Ambrah’s soap
bars, with their trademark,
rustic cut, are available in a
wide range of fragrances,
including rose, camomile,
green tea, lemon and cedar.
Created using natural olive oil,
honey, and natural herbal and
floral extracts, they gently
cleanse the skin, making them
ideal for everyday use for
hands, face and body.
The soaps, which
along with Ambrah’s other
products are environmentally
friendly, chemical and
preservative free, and not tested
on animals, are available at the
company’s concept boutique in
Badaro.
Ambrah Concept Boutique,
Badaro, Beirut
Tel: (961) 3 757 455/(961) 3 859
575/(961) 3 555 349
TreASureD reCiPe CreATeS
BACK-To-nATure BeAuTy in A BAr
AmBrAhSoAPSW o r d s : M i r i A M D u n n
Nestled in the north
of Lebanon is a
company which is
proudly keeping
alive the fast-disappearing
tradition of crafting entirely
natural soaps by hand from
cold-pressed olive oil.
Ambrah Soaps
uses a simple, yet treasured
recipe dating back to 1875
which has been lovingly passed
down through the generations
to create a delightful range of
soaps, ranging from large,
rustic spheres which recreate
the hammam experience in the
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When two iconic
italian brands, both
known for their
design prowess and
quality
craftsmanship, join forces, the
result can only be spectacular. This
is certainly what happened when
Maserati and Fendi came together to
design the Maserati gran Cabrio
Fendi, which made its debut at the
Frankfurt Motor Show in 2011. A range
of distinctive features set this model
apart – such as the 20 inch alloy
wheels featuring Fendi’s iconic double
F logo, or the use of a specially
developed shade of gray with a
unique iridescent gold effect. Fendi’s
selection of the finest leather and
wood for the interior brings an even
more luxurious feel to the exclusive
interior.
This special design
collaboration has its roots in a
book, The Whispered Directory of
Craftsmanship, A Contemporary
guide to the italian Handmaking
Ability Vol. 1, which paid homage
to italian craftsmanship. noting
the common values of Maserati
and Fendi, the idea grew to
collaborate on an exclusive
Special edition Maserati gran
Cabrio Fendi designed by
Silvia Venturini Fendi which
would be the vehicle of
choice for an italian
grand Tour voyage. This
would be no ordinary
grand tour, however,
as the journey was
filmed resulting in a
four-part
documentary.
TWo iConiC BrAnDS TAKe To THe roAD
WHen
fenDiMeT W o r d s : H e L e n A S S A F
each episode reveals some of
the workshops and laboratories
featured in the volumes of The
Whispered, which were visited
along the way.
This spring the
Maserati gran Cabrio Fendi
went on sale in a limited
production series of 50, each
numbered and no doubt
destined for a select number of
auto aficionados around the
world. For those that miss out
on the chance to own one of
these exclusive autos, there is
some consolation. Fendi and
Maserati extended their design
collaboration to a special travel
kit, featuring a range of items
that includes eyewear, holdalls,
a pashmina scarf and even a
leather jacket. Bearing the
quality and craftsmanship
synonymous with these two
brands, the collection ensures
that everyone has the
opportunity to travel in
spectacular style.
www.phoeniciabeirut.com
Phoenicia 50th Union 21x27.indd 1 3/18/11 8:08 PM
A fusion of delicate glass
and robust metals with
intriguing finishes, her
work is a blend of the
fragile and the robust, a
paradox that somehow comes together
to create some of the most intriguing
works on the market today. Mitrani’s
vases, glasses and lamps, to name but a
few of her creations, cradle fine, hand
blown glass within, occasionally industrial,
metal frames. The result is a contradictory
marriage of sharp metallic lines and
whimsical glass curves.
For over a decade Mitrani has
worked with some of the world’s most
famous design houses. She first worked
with Ligne roset in 1999 and continues to
do so to this day having recently completed
a new collection for the distinguished
brand. As with all of her work, the new
pieces are hand crafted with care and
precision.
Pushing the envelope in terms
of creative glass design, Mitrani’s limited
edition pieces created for roche Bobois are
truly eye catching. The two-piece series,
Bird on the Wire, features a fine, glass lamp
and a vase pierced by metal perches, atop
of which sit rows of glass birds, gazing out
through the sides of the pieces.
Winter, a collection including a
vase and six glass mugs, lives up to its
name; silvered birds sit upon wintry
branches, evoking a sense of chilly style
and stirring memories of snowy landscapes.
Perhaps the thought of the cold birds tugs
at the heartstrings, but Winter at once
seems as delicate as Bird on the Wire,
despite the slightly more substantial rests
upon which the birds perch.
While Winter and Bird on the
Wire are clear examples of Mitrani’s skill at
working with fine detail and delicate
materials, the collection titled no Limit is a
an example of her playful side. Vases with a
difference, porcelain fish jump and swim
through the blown glass, in playful takes on
the fishbowl. Full of life and fun, these
pieces are at once a playful distraction and
a demonstration of Mitrani’s talents, fusing
the ever-present blown glass with the
altogether solid appeal of porcelain.
Taking cues from no Limit,
oxygen, a one-off narguile, injects a shot of
humor into the traditional water pipe.
Featuring the same blend of ceramics and
blown glass, oxygen is comprised of three
bubbles sitting atop one another; from the
bottom bowl a spirited porcelain fish
attempts escape as the, imagined, bubbles
of air flow over it.
Mitrani’s appeal lies in her
ability to fuse elements together, creating a
blend of air, water and earth in a single
piece. Her flowing glasswork stands in
direct contrast to the, often comparatively
imposing, metallic elements while fresh
takes on classic porcelain create a range of
work that is not only the result of extreme
skill, but whose success lies in the wit of
the creator.
FrenCH inTerior DeSigner,
VAneSSA MiTrAni iS CreATing
WAVeS WiTH Her CoLLeCTionS
FeATuring PieCeS MADe FroM
BLoWn gLASS AnD MeTAL. HAVing
originALLy TrAineD in FurniTure
DeSign, MiTrAni’S LATeST
CoLLeCTionS LArgeLy FoCuS on CoMBining
SeeMingLy DiSPArATe gLASS
AnD MeTAL eLeMenTS.
ConSCiouS &unConSCiouS
Bourgeois artistic expressions.
A survey of her life’s
achievements, including pieces from the
1940s and 50s, through to just before her
death in 2010, are now on display for the first
time in the Middle east. The show, entitled
“Conscious and unconscious,” is at the qMA
gallery in Katara Cultural Village until June 1.
Philip Larratt-Smith, who worked
as Bourgeois’s literary archivist for eight years,
curated the 32 pieces in the exhibit, which
range in media from sculpture, gouache, and
fabric pieces, to installation. “Bourgeois
worked in a variety of media well before this
became common among artists,” he says,
adding that the pieces in the collection were
chosen to convey the “fundamental
DoHA HoSTS A LouiSe BourgeoiS reTroSPeCTiVeW o r d s : o M A r C H A T r i W A L A
A massive 30-foot-high
bronze spider dominates
the open space in the new
qatar national Convention
Centre, serving not only as a
tribute to Louise Bourgeois’ mother, as
the introspective sculptor intended, but
also to the late french-American artist
herself.
Likely her best known work,
Bourgeois has explained that the sculpture
“Maman” represents her mother as a “dainty
and clever” weaver. growing up in France,
her parents ran a workshop for tapestry
restoration, and in her later years as an artist
in America, fabrics and frail family ties
continued to play important roles in
01
ConSCiouS &unConSCiouS
whose waterways flowing together symbolise
not just a couple joining together but also
timelessness, as the liquid weaves around the
sculpture in a figure eight, the symbol for
infinity.
Bourgeois’s psychological self-
analysis led her to adopt spiral motifs in her
works, including two nest-like hanging
aluminium sculptures on display. To her,
spirals turn both in on themselves and
outwards toward the world, representing her
“attempt at controlling the chaos” of her
emotions. Later in life, the artist - who lived
almost a century - incorporated her own
clothing into her works as a way of preserving
some of the memories around them.
importance of the dynamic between
conscious and unconscious in her work.”
For Bourgeois, creating art was
a deeply emotional experience, and she
found the process to be both agonising and
therapeutic. explains the curator: “[There are]
binary oppositions that animate all of
Bourgeois’s work: male and female, abstract
and figurative, active and passive, maternal
and paternal, murder and suicide, rational and
irrational, etc. in Bourgeois’ work these
polarities are not mutually exclusive but
constituent parts of the same continuum.”
This is little better demonstrated
than in the exhibit’s opening piece “CeLL XV”.
The installation of aluminium, steel, glass,
mirrors and water, features a double fountain
02 03
05
04
01_____Louise Bourgeois
CeLL XV (For Turner),
2000 Steel, aluminum,
mirrors, glass, metal &
water 274.3 x 304.8 x
172.7cm. Collection
Louise Bourgeois Trust,
courtesy Cheim & read
and Hauser & Wirth
Photo: Christopher Burke
02_____Louise Bourgeois
SPiDer iV, 1996
Bronze, wall piece 203.2
x 180.3 x 53.3 cm.
Collection Louise
Bourgeois Trust, courtesy
Cheim & read and
Hauser & Wirth
Photo: Peter Bellamy
03_____Louise Bourgeois
unTiTLeD, 2004
Aluminum, hanging piece
166.4 x 106.7 x 63.5 cm.
Collection Louise
Bourgeois Trust, courtesy
Cheim & read and
Hauser & Wirth
Photo: Christopher Burke
04_____Louise Bourgeois
ConSCiouS AnD
unConSCiouS, 2008
Fabric, rubber, thread and
stainless steel 175.3 x 94
x 47 cm. Collection
Louise Bourgeois Trust,
courtesy Cheim & read
and Hauser & Wirth
Photo: Christopher Burke
05_____LouiSe
BourgeoiS, 2003.
Photo: Nanda Lanfranco
PAuSeFor THougHT
W o r d s : A L i A F A W A z
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Books 106107108109110111112
how was the reaction to your exhibition
visual ritual by the Lebanese audience?
The reaction was great - in particular the
wall art. This type of art is relatively new for
Lebanon. it encourages critical thinking and
this is beginning to emerge more in
Lebanon which is great to see aesthetics
advance more.
you started as an artist of oil painting.
how did you decide to add more
mediums and also work with objects?
i studied fine arts at St. Martins in the uK.
There they teach you about history of art in
a deep informed way. They teach you to
advance, make people look at things in a
new way in a modern context. Paint has
already been explored to the ninth degree.
The modern art world is about presenting
painting with new materials. i try to
introduce new ways of painting with steel
and glass and in a multi dimensional way.
your wall paintings are very unique.
They are outlined by metal behind
polished glass surface. why did you
decide to give them this presentation
rather than just a plain canvas?
i love working with steel and glass. For
example Mondrian was presenting squares.
i use metal, glass and concentric lines as a
new aesthetic, with humor and emotions
thrown in.
The wall paintings have an eclectic
collection of styles and imagery. yet
they all have a common feature, like an
animation figure with exaggerated
facial expressions.
When humans are given a field of picture,
they naturally look to the face. When we
are born we look at our mother’s face. We
are quick to identify eye and mouth. in
these pieces you see a collection of visual
devices which are all assembled together
to create an overall rhythm.
Let’s talk about a few of your furniture
pieces. i will start with the stool. you
give it such a contemporary look and
make it playful, yet not changing how it
functions.
A stool is a primitive chair. it has humor. it’s
cute. it’s affectionate. it’s a beginning.
Beginning with something random
challenges your conventions.
The moustache desk is really playful and
striking - a bit surreal.
What is surreal? it’s something that
activates something inside. you can’t say it
in words. This piece is making fun of
people who think they can hide behind a
moustache. yet they stand out! Blatant anti-
covering up.
which artists do you admire?
De Kooning -the modern abstract
expressionist of the 50’s, renoir and
raphael. What they all have in common is
that they are all absolute masters of their
style. i admire how dedicated they were.
They also happen to be the most expensive
selling artists in the world.
Did your parents encourage you to
pursue art?
not really, i found my way. i think my mom
(of Lebanese descent) had an aesthetic
tendency and that made an impression on
me. it seemed to suit my interest growing
up and becoming an artist.
MeeT roBerT hAmmonD THe BriTiSH ArTiST WHo BringS neW AeSTHeTiCS AnD A neW PerCePTion To ArT. DeFying ConVenTionS & CHALLenging THe WAy We See eVeryDAy THingS, HiS CoLLeCTion ViSuAL riTuAL iS CurrenTLy on DiSPLAy AT THe SMo gALLery in BeiruT.
what’s next? will your next piece(s) have a
connection to visual ritual?
Visual ritual is a soft start. it will be more avant
garde with a little controversy. Stuff to rub
people up the wrong way!
Are any of your pieces for sale?
They all are. All small furniture is under $1000.
The paintings go for much more.
is there any medium/material that you
wish to use that is new to you?
i love to work with modern art where
everything is potentially a new medium.
what other interests do you have outside
of creating art?
i like family get togethers. My wife and i
recently had a baby and it’s such a humbling
experience. i love time with friends, family and
spending nice moments together.
what do you do if you get stuck in a rut?
Say like a writer getting “writer’s block?”
i have a cure for them! The expression that
goes, you do your best thinking in B.B.B. Bed
(when you get up in the morning), Bath (in the
shower), Bus (commuting to work). When i
get stuck in the studio i just give up. Just put
yourself in a position to drift away from it.
Do you have any advice for young students
wanting to pursue an art career?
Well, you don’t need to be gifted to be a
great artist. it’s a wrong preconception. it’s
about practice and perseverance. real
artists did not do their best work until the
age of 40 and beyond. if you create
something brilliant before 30-35 it’s likely to
be a fad or luck really.
T H e C o M P L e T e W o r K S
There are few artists who
inspire such a sense of
mystery and outright
controversy as Caravaggio.
undisputedly a genius,
Caravaggio was an italian painter living in
the late 16th century. Famous well before
his death in 1610, the artist was the subject
of intense debate during his own lifetime.
A master of the school
of naturalism, Caravaggio advanced the
portrayal of the human form with his
incredible attention to detail and
understanding of the human form. His
ability to create links between the viewer
and the story the artist wished to tell was
Caravaggio’s strong suit. intensely detailed
and rich, Caravaggio’s works have only
recently been subject to scientific study.
Thanks to science’s
relatively recent ability to create large, high
definition prints, art scholars are revelling in
the incredible levels of detail in
Caravaggio’s work. Masterpieces that have
been studied for years are suddenly
revealing new details, and scholars are
uncovering aspects of Caravaggio’s style
that they were only able to guess at
previously. Caravaggio: The Complete
Works offers an insight into this remarkable
man and is a must for any serious fan of
classical art.
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818283848586878889
Product Design 909192939495
Art & Culture 96979899100101102103104105
Books 106107108109110111112
W o r d s : L o u i S P A r K S
This season's coffee-table
book selection is available
instore from Le Cercle Hitti.
ArChiTeCTure now! VoL. 8
BuiLDing THe FuTureW o r d s : L o u i S P A r K S
An encyclopedic look at the
latest cutting-edge
designs, Architecture
now! 8 gives the reader an
insight into current builds
the world over. Serving as a guide to the
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introduces readers to the best
contemporary architects and their latest
works.
From Joshua Prince-
ramus, to Thom Mayne of Morphosis, to
Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto and
Burkinabe Diébédo Francis Kéré,
Architecture now! 8 captures the spirit of
the latest generation of great designers and
architects. A global “who’s who” of the
architecture world, this book is a must for
anyone serious about building design.
An easy-to-navigate
reference, Architecture now! 8 contains
everything you need to know to about the
most inspiring architects in business today;
concise biographies, lists of their current
and completed projects and links to their
websites enable the reader to get a
comprehensive understanding of what’s
going on in architecture today.
This season’s coffee-table
book selection is available
instore from Le Cercle Hitti.
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porsche_panamera_GTS_asphalt_21x27_porsche_panamera_GTS_asphalt_21x27 3/20/12 5:10 PM Page 1