Happy New Year

Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous new decade and new year!!!

Happy Christmas

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and best wishes for a fruitful 2020.

W2W National Design Student Competition

Two of our third year Interior Design students have been shortlisted for this years W2W National Design Competition 'Circular Economy'. The judging panel included members of the Walls To Workstations team, Grey FoxDesign and Perch. See below the full list of students who have been shortlisted with the winner being announced at the awards ceremony on Friday 31st of January 2020. Well done to Jessica and Karen on all the hard work - it paid off!

Aqua Privat - Limerick Institute of Technology, Jessica Leamy
Bosca Portable Storage - GMIT Letterfrack, Aodh Cunningham
Circular Economy (Candy Seats) - Cardiff Metropolitan University, Aeshah Alzoubi
Co-Lab - Cardiff Metropolitan University, Jake Round & Ryan Daughtery
CSAD - Product Design, Cardiff Metropolitan University - Constance Shaw, Thomas Gale, Franco Poda
DecoR Office Desk - IT Sligo, Ed Wallace
ERDE - Maynooth University- Cian Morgan, Conor Raleigh & Ross Moore Heslin
Circular Economy Collaborative Design - Geo Casual Collaboration - Cardiff Metropolitan University, Brandon Jones, Ralica Petrova & Kallum Clarke
HEXI - Limerick Institute of Technology, Karen Kavanagh
Mandorla - Cardiff Metropolitan University, Tom Lovesey, Ben Shabab & Jay Werrett
Midori - IT Sligo, Faincha Naessens
Nomad - Cardiff Metropolitan University- Neave Thorne, Harley Howard & Harriet Hughes
OZONE - Maynooth University, Hudson Souza & Daria Bartuzel
The Loop - GMIT Letterfrack, Conor Cremins
The Yumbee House - Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cristina Barroso del Castillo
Vita Task Lead Surface - GMIT Letterfrack, Aidan Devine

Temporary Pavillion of Worship at Notre Dame

The video above shows the Design for temporary pavillon at Notre Dame, Paris, France. 

Gensler, the International architecture and design firm came up with this modest charred timber temporary structure symbolising the effects of how the famous Cathedral was destroyed.  

Designer #10: In Space

Finally, an Irish Design company who isn't afraid to do something different.....In Space offer unique interiors where they collaborate with mural artists, printers, illustrators among other creative people to design cutting edge interiors. They also donate 5% of their profits to a 'give back fund' where they do up interiors for those more in need. This is a company definitely worth checking out!

Architect #10: Studio Red

Studio Red a female architectural firm based in Dublin is another contender for this year's RIAI Architectural Awards. Their design in County Meath, 'Blackened House' is made of three simple forms, mirroring vernacular architecture and clad in blackened timber. Materials are kept to a minimum with concrete, glass, timber and metal roofs used predominantly. 

Designer #9: Adeline Molly

Adeline Molloy Design is based in Kildare and working mainly in the Carlow, Kilkenny and Kildare area of the Country. She has recently been shortlisted for the 2019 Interior Design Award sponsored by Linwood Luxurious Fabric and Wallpaper.

Shortlist for 2019 FitOut Awards

Shortlist 2019 Fit Out Awards

Architect #9: Tierney Haines

Tierney Haines was established in 2004 in Dublin. The practice has been shortlisted for the RIAI Architecture Awards 2019 with their design for House on Cliften Bay. You can see more of this project on their web site Tierney Haines

The image above is a simple shelter for two donkeys designed by Tierney Hayes. Inspiration for this form comes from the impression of a donkey's hoof in mud. An example of how we find inspiration anywhere and how that small seed can be translated into an unusual and exciting design. The materials used are local and the building methods are taken from the craft of curragh making using stretched canvas over a timber carcass and finished with tar. 

Designer #8: Menthol

Menthol Architects are a Polish multidisciplinary design office with a focus on sustainable architecture. Projects include urban furniture elements to this bicycle shelter above and the park pavillion also. A fun, dynamic and exciting firm worth looking at in more detail. 

Architect #8: Stefano Boeri

Of the Tow-Paths

Stefano Boeri is this year's Ambassador for Dutch Design Week. He is an Italian Architect and Head of the Future City Lab of Tongji University in Shanghai - a postdoctoral research programme. His work focuses on environmental implications within architecture, urban design, and open space. He has designed several waterfront schemes including Naples, Italy, Doha, Middle East and Marseille, the second largest city in France. 

Designer #7: Mica Ertegun

Mica Ertegun is an American based interior designer. She established MACII in 1967 with Chessy Rayner. Many of their interiors have been published in Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, among other publications internationally. 

Architect #7: ODOS Architects

ODOS Architects are currently working on Irish Whiskey Distilleries visitor experience in Ballykelly Mill near Monastervin, Co. Laois. The distillery is a listed structure dating from 1801 and will be transformed into an artisan distillery by the ODOS concept blending modern design alongside rich historical architectural. ODOS have a Dublin studio as well we New York and London.

Designer #6: Studio Moross

Studio Moross is a multi-disciplinary design office based in London. They concentrate mostly on art direction, design, and animation for some of the world'ds leading brands. Their work includes content for the Spice Girls Tour 2019 as well as MTV, Sam Smith, and One Direction.

The stage for One Direction tour

Architect #6: LUCA Architects

LUCA Architects was established in Dublin in 2017 by Catherine Crowe and Lucy Rainey. They concentrate on high-end projects bringing quality, design innovation, and client aspiration together. Find out more here LUCA Architects

Fit Out Awards 2019

I am honoured to have been asked to sit on this year’s judging panel for the Fit Out Awards. The Fit Out Awards will take place on the 27th of November in Dublin. The Awards recognise last year’s best fit-out projects, the teams responsible and the clients behind them. See the shortlist of finalists at Fit Out Awards Shortlist

Designer #5: We want More

Belgian Interior, Graphic and Experimental Designers We Want More are worth visiting for some inspiration and very funky design. They have been involved in numerous creative and branding projects and have won many awards for their achievements. 

Year 3 - Circular Economy / Sustainability Resource

Sustainable Development 2015   

In the 1980s the UN set up the Commission on Environment and Development, also known as the Brundtland Commission, named after its Chair Gro Harlem Brundtland. The outcome of the Brundtland Commission was a comprehensive document entitled "Our Common Future", otherwise known as the Brundtland Report. This report framed much of what would become the 40 chapters of Agenda 21 and the 27 principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. The report defined sustainable development as development which:

"meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Read more about the Brundtland Commission

Architect #5: Lynx Architects

Here the folded steel screen protects this quiet space in an ad agency designed by Lynx Architecture 

Full height windows dominate this warehouse space where the walls have been painted white and the concrete floors polished. The library and canteen in this office space have been designed as dramatic set pieces. 

Open House Limerick 2019

Open House Limerick takes place this coming weekend, starting Friday the 18th of October and will run until Sunday the 20th of October. There is an extensive line-up and it is necessary to book some locations in advance. See more on their website 

Openhouse Limerick

Jermaine Gallacher’s Highlights from the London Design Festival

Chandeliers by Viola Lanari

Porta Romana is a world-renowned luxury lighting and furniture company. At there HQ in the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour the showcased Viola Lanari's work as part of their ‘Boheme’ collection for London Design Week 2019. Viola uses plaster to create extremely unique lighting and furniture. Read more about her work and other highlights from this years London Design Week  

Jermaine Gallacher Highlights from London Design Festival 2019

Ideal Homes Show at the RDS

Ideal Homes 2019 is taking place from the 25th to 28th March 2019. While aimed at the domestic market and laypeople it still is an opportunity for you network and meets people from the interiors industry. Register here for a free ticket Ideal Homes

M2 Office / Year 3 Field Trip

Thank you year 3 for your time and participation yesterday during our visit to M2 Office on the Dock Road. Hopefully, you found Designer Emily Sheehy's talk useful for your current project work. Find out more about the services and products M2 Office Interiors supply. 

Designer #4: Florian de Visser

Florian de Visser is Site Stories which is an on 'site-specific storytelling' company!!! Florian uses several spatial methods for storytelling. 

Site Stories will feature at next week's 'Dutch Design Week'. 

Year 3 - Company of Interest - modular and green!!!

Green Furniture Concept is an exciting Swedish furniture and lighting design company. They design modular systems for public interiors. Check out their web site for case studies and also view their latest design in Biophilic Environment

Architect #4: Stan Allen

The concept models you have been creating in Design Studio 2 and Design Studio 3 are that of architect Stan Allen. SAA is an independent architectural practice based in New York City. For the most part the practice concentrates on Urban Design having completed jobs in South America, Asia as well as America. 

“All grids are fields, but not all fields are grids. One of the potentials of the field is to redefine the relation between figure and ground. If we think of the figure not as a demarcated object read against a stable field, but as an effect emerging from the field itself – as moments of intensity, as peaks or valley within a continuous field – than it might be possible to imagine figure and field as more closely allied. (…)” Stan Allen on Wikipedia. 

Find out more at Stan Allen Architects

Designer #3: Bob Wielaard

Bob Wielaard is a Dutch furniture designer who works mostly in bamboo. Bob is participating in this year's Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven later this month. 

Architect #3: Jan Gehl

Jan Gehl is a Danish Architect and Urban Designer. His practice is based in Copenhagen where he focuses on improving the quality of urban life by re-orienting city design towards the pedestrian and cyclist. He is the founding member of Gehl Architects established in 2000. Jan will give a lecture 'Making Cities for People' at the first RIAI Conference taking place on October 4th and 5th in the RDS in Dublin. 

Year 3 - Ikea Kitchen made from recycled plastic and timber

Kungsbacka kitchen fronts by Ikea are made from recycled wood and PET bottles (polyethylene terephthalate polyethylene terephthalate) one of the most common consumer plastics. 

Architecture & Building Expo 2019

Architecture & Building Expo 2019 'Workplace Ireland' takes places in the RDS next Friday 4th to Sunday 6th of October. The Interior Architecture & Design Awards will also be exclusively featured at the show with the winners being announced on Friday the 4th of October. This is a trade-only event but you can register for free by following the 'Architecture & Building Expo 2019' link above. 

Designer #2: COHN design

Garry Cohn Design has just launched his YouTube Channel. Follow the link below to subscribe. Every Wednesday at 3pm Garry will broadcast an interview with supplies, makers, designers, and possibly us here, at LIT BA (Hons) in Interior Design. Try to check the live stream out as you will be able to ask questions live.

COHN design YOUTUBE CHannel

Garry is a New Yorker but has a Dublin-based design studio. His work is extremely creative and wild. He has recently just completed work for Peter Mark COHNdesign Interiors 

Architect #2: Page Park Architects

Page Park Architects are a Glasgow & Leeds-based practice. They have won many awards for their work which is steeped in their own philosophy of blending building methodology with thinking, dreaming, and talking. See some of there project at Page Park

Welcome first year Interior Designers

Welcome to the new first-year BA (Hons) Interior Designers. 
We are happy to have you here with us in LIT. 

First years working on their 'My Space' project on the bridge to the studios

Designer #1: Laurence Carr

Laurence Carr is a leading voice in the field of Holistic Interior Design. Her writing has been extensively published in Domino, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal to name a few. Read her article on the role of the Interior Designer in a changing economy on her blog 'Beyond Aesthetics'  

Laurence Carr on the Interior Designers role in a changing economy

Culture Night 2019

Culture Night takes places nationally this Friday night 20th September. There is a full programme of events happening the length and breadth of the country with everything free of charge. Follow the link to find out what is happening in Limerick and beyond!

Culture Night Limerick

Architect #1: Waugh Thistleton Architects

Designed by Waugh Thistleton Architects, supported by the American Hardwood Export Council and engineered by Arup, 'Multi-Ply' is currently on display as part of London Design Week 2019. Located at the V+A Museum it's one of the many Landmark Project around the city. Read more about the collaboration here Waugh Thistleton Architects 

The practice based in Shoreditch London is a world leader in engineered timber and pioneers in the field of tall timber building. They concentrate on sustainable projects.

Dutch Design Week 2019

This year's International trip is taking us to Dutch Design Week 2019. 

We are planning on flying from Dublin to Eidenhoven on 

TUESDAY 22nd October at 12pm 

and returning to Dublin on FRIDAY 25th October at 5.30pm.

SIGN UP BY THIS WEDNESDAY 18th SEPTEMBER.... 

A standard airfare is currently around €75 plus three nights in the Backpackers Bed and Breakfast costing approximately €60. Early-bird student tickets for the event are €11, making it a total of €150 excluding food and other personal expenses.

See more here Backpackers B+B

Ryanair

Plan your visit to Dutch Design Week

Tickets for Dutch Design Week

Visit Eindenhoven

2020 Colur Trends

The colour trends for 2020 have been launched with Cassis (Purple-pink), Mellow Yellow, Neo-mint, Purist Blue, and Cantaloupe (Melon) are featuring for the start of the next decade!

2020 Preview Color Trends

Welcome back to 2019 - 2020

Good Luck

Wishing you all the very best of luck in your final projects and exams. 

You are nearly there...

Designer 24: Helen Turkington

Helen Turkington set up business in 2006. Her company has an annual turnover of €5 million with 16 employees located in Dublin. She has a very particular style of Contemporary Classic. A showroom was added to the business in Sandyford in 2015.

Designers of outdoor learning spaces & sensory gardens

DG2 Design is an American Urban, Landscape, Natural Playscape, and designers of Sensory Gardens and Healing Spaces based in Missouri.  

Read their blog posts on The school of the future has no roof #

and Building a sensory garden

Architect 24: Simply Architecture

Collaborative Pavillion Design by Simply Architecture and Horizon Furniture for the Electric Picnic Festival 2011 in Stradbally, County Laois. This design was second place in the competition run by The Crafts Council of Ireland and the Irish Architecture Foundation. 

Simply Architecture

Thurles Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Space

Some images of the outdoor learning space on the Thurles Campus. As you can see from the pictures it is a restricted site and also a very urban environment! 

Designer 23: Enigma Design

Enigma Design is a kitchen, bedroom & cabinetry design outfit based in Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow with an impressive 5,500 square foot workshop and showroom. Yet again another homegrown operator who have been looking for designer's to join their expanding team. 

Enigma Design

Architect 23: McCauley Daye O'Connell Architects

Mcauley Dayne O'Connell Architects are a Dublin based firm and have been recently on the lookout for Interior Designers. They work on Commerical,  Residential, Healthcare, and Master Planning. They are Winner of the Architecture MasterPrize 2018 within the Recreational Architecture Category. Find out more at 

MDO Architects