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New cars today rarely flare the imagination as the NSU Ro80 did in 1967.
It was, quite simply, the most daringly modern car on the road - Lamborghini, Porsche and Jaguar notwithstanding.
It was even more apposite that, as the wraps were coming off this German masterpiece at the Frankfurt motor show, resolutely old-tech relics like the Morris Minor and the Austin Cambridge were still rolling down British production lines.
At the heart of the Ro80 was an amazing engine.
Designed by Dr Felix Wankel, this power unit dispensed with traditional cylinders for twin rotors in its combustion chambers.
It was a compact motor and also one that gave the Ro80 extraordinary smoothness.
But just as impressive was the car's stunning, wedge-shaped styling, honed by the designer Claus Luthe.
For a large five-seater saloon, it had unusual elegance.
But there was science to its form too: the Ro80 was supremely aerodynamic, its co-efficient of drag, at 0.35, unparalleled for such a car.
It still looked sleek and modern in 1987 next to such wind tunnel-shaped cars as the Ford Sierra and Audi 100.
Its stylist, Luthe, though, received acclaim only among a small circle of car industry insiders.
This relative lack of recognition is unfair.
Luthe probably did more than most to shape the modern German car, with all its visual solidity and confidence.
Arguably, with the success of BMW, Audi and Volkswagen, he's more influential than many of Italy's so-called "masters".
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Qui est Paul?, a new brand of high-end furniture will be launched during the Milan furniture fair, in the off circuit around the Duomo, in the prestigious "Circolo Filologico".
In a way, Qui est Paul?, or Who is Paul? in English, tells the story of the life and values of a man through the objects he acquires and holds.
The first pieces consist of rotomolded furniture that can be used in or out.
They have been designed in order to be very sculptural, while remaining highly functional and ergonomic.
They are all made out of fully recyclable PE.
This first collection has been designed by Studio Paul and by Alain Gilles who in his "second life" has worked for Xavier Lust and Quinze and Milan and is currently being edited by several international brands such as Bonaldo.
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Qui est Paul
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The internationally renowned jury of the iF product design award 2008 (among whom Jochen Hahn, James Irvine, Leo Lubke, Philipp Mainzer and Jasper Morrison) presided over by Fritz Frenkler, has selected Arco's Slim Table (designed by Bertjan Pot), as winner in the category Furniture and moreover awarded it with the iF gold award.
The judgement of the jury: the Slim Table is a dining- and working-table, which is unbelievably pure with a construction that can be called a "floating little miracle". The surface of the table is fabulous and the finishing "as beautiful, as one can only wish for".
According to the jury report: "This year, we had a clear preference for original products.
No Fusion, no Retro, no 'pretending'.
Only those who perceive the simplicity and the user-friendliness of a product, can be successful in the long run and can create the 'New Moderns' (Fritz Frenkler)"
With this award, the Slim Table ranges itself on the side of the IF gold award winners in other categories, such as the iPhone and the iPod nano of Apple, the Tiguan of Volkswagen or the Showerpipe of Antonio Citterio for hansgrohe.
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An international sourcebook for designers with an eye toward furniture, Office Furniture Design takes an in-depth look at the design and process behind contemporary office furniture.
Commercial furniture design is the most active area of the furniture design industry, and, as a result, is always on the cutting edge of design and technology.
There is a steady demand for more ergonomic, efficient, and flexible office furniture as well as furniture that not only reflects the personality of a company but which can grow or retract with the firm.
This book profiles the most innovative, effective, and distinctive designs for office furniture today through stunning color photographs, drawings, and sketches.
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Office Furniture Design
design directory
Office Furniture Design > Furniture Design Books
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The Biennial of Industrial Design (BIO) is a comparative international exhibition of industrial design, visual communications and design concepts.
On 2nd October 2008 the 21st Biennial of Industrial Design will open at the Architecture Museum of Ljubljana.
The works presented at BIO 21 will be carefully selected and critically evaluated.
BIO Secretariat issued an invitation for participation in the exhibition, and the Selection Committee will select the works to be exhibited.
Before the inauguration of BIO 21 an international Jury will review and evaluate the selected and exhibited products, visual communications and design concepts and bestow the Biennial's awards.
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Bio 21 Call for Entries: Only 11 Days Left
design directory
The Biennial of Industrial Design > Industrial Design Events
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