Tadao Ando – Fabulously Green

Tag archives: Tadao Ando

DESIGN INSPIRATION | Water Office

19Sep06

Apparently architect Tadao Ando is not the only one fascinated with using bottled water as a design material. Check out this design for the Tokyo-based office that also uses the idea of plastic bottle walls to create a different effect. Klein Dytham Architecture designed this space for the Danone Company whose main product lines include Evian and Volvic water–using their products as design material for the space.

The Concept:Translucent screens were made to create special zones for seating, and meetings in an otherwise open plan office. Empty Evian bottles were strung on wires stretching from floor to ceiling like beads on a string.The Fab Factor: Though it’s not clear if they used recycled bottles for this project, it’s got the makings of a bubbly green idea. Fab fun with recycling.More Plastic Bottles in Design and Architecture:

Filed under Interior Design, Materials+Finishes, Office Style, Refashion+Refurb| Tagged design using plastic bottles, Eco-friendly, Klein Dytham Architecture, Recyclable, Tadao Ando, unique materials | No Comments

DESIGN | Ando's Morimoto Restaurant

17Sep06

As a budding interior designer I’m passionate about using materials in unexpected, innovative ways–in particular when there’s an opportunity to transform the mundane into art. Architect Tadao Ando’s recent design of the new Morimoto Restaurant in New York makes a sparkling example.

The Concept:A nearly two-story-high freestanding water wall created from 17,400 half-liter plastic bottles were then filled with mineral water and screwed into electric-socketlike couplers. LED point light were integrated into the structure to backlight the bottles and create a shimmery effect.The restaurant is featured in this month’s special Interiors Issue of Architectural Record but doesn’t specifically mention if the bottles were recycled. I’m assuming if they were gathered then filled they probably were. If not, the idea is a stunner that has eco-friendly capabilities.The Fab Factor:A marriage of recycled plastic water bottles with LED point lights creates an surprisingly gorgeous feature wall.Are you an Iron Chef like me? Why not go on an epicurean quest and tell us about it. I can live vicariously through you.Morimoto-New York88 Tenth Ave., at 16th St.212.989.8883Morimoto-Philadelphia723 Chestnut Street215.413.9070*Designed by Karim Rashid – It’s a luscious LED-explosion.Via Architectural Record