Design Wire April 2019
The humidifier has been given a sleek redesign, and the silhouette of the KAMOME ULTRASONIC HUMIDIFIER is reminiscent of an antenna-topped radio. Created by Japanese industrial designer KAZUYA KOIKE of DOOG DESIGN, the minimalist humidifier holds a 2.4-liter tank that feeds water to an ultrasonic vibrating diaphragm that creates fine mist for up to eight hours. Users can set controls to have the humidifier run for one-, two-, and four-hour intervals before automatically shutting off, and they can customize the mist with different aromas in a separate compartment. There are two models available: the ultrasonic and the hybrid model (which has the ability to warm the mist before output). The Kamome humidifier comes in three different colors: light gray, mint green, and coral pink. “It is designed to be as much as a decorative element as an appliance of comfort and health,” reports Design Milk.
HANNAFORD SUPERMARKETS is expanding into Brunswick’s COOK’S CORNER MALL. The second Brunswick store will occupy the space that formerly held Bookland, which has largely sat vacant since Bookland closed in 2001. The new 50,000-square-foot space will mostly fill the mall’s empty end of outdoor retail spaces and will bring approximately 150 full- and part-time jobs to the town. Brunswick’s economic development director, Linda Smith, told the Times Record that there are enough customers in the area for both stores to be successful, especially as more than 400 residential units are under construction adjacent to the Brunswick Landing.
SHEVENELL PARK in downtown BIDDEFORD is getting a face-lift. Architect LEAH SCHAFFER “adopted” the park as part of the city’s Adopt-a-Park program and is seeking recommendations on how the public would like to see Shevenell redesigned. A public survey asked what programs people would like to see in the park, and what kind of seating, amenities, and aspects are important for the park. The need for redesign is prevalent, as existing trees are tearing up the current hardscape. Additionally, there is no stage area for performances and concerts. Schaffer plans to apply for grants and to gather donations to fund the renovations. Shevenell is one of 12 parks currently in the program, where volunteers clean, weed, and provide maintenance for their adopted parks.
Furniture company TYLKO has launched a new collection of adjustable shelving. Their first collection launched in 2015, and their newest collection, TYPE02, is even more customizable than the first. Consumers can completely tailor their shelving’s size, style, color, and finish, and they have the option to incorporate additional features such as doors, drawers, and back panels. For the updated collection, handles, doors, and drawers were refined to make the shelving safer and more ergonomic. New style and color combinations were also added, along with adjustable legs to ensure level shelving—even if the floor isn’t. An intuitive online configurator allows consumers to design every inch of shelving, and once the design is complete, they can test their design in an augmented- reality app to see how the unit will look in their space.
London-based startup BATCH.WORKS partnered with international stationery company PAPERCHASE to create the first 3-D–printed collection of biodegradable stationery, which includes pen cups, ballpoint pens, and giant paperclips. Each product is part of Paperchase’s CONSCIOUS LIVING collection. It was important to both companies that everything be biodegradable and sustainable, so each item is made with bioplastic—plastic made from natural materials such as sugarcane. In a little more than two months, Batch.works has 3-D printed 30,000 pieces from the collection: each pencil cup took 20 minutes to print, and each paperclip took 2 minutes.
Australian audio company NURA has launched the first-ever adaptive earbuds. Known as NURALOOP, the earphones alter their output to suit the user’s hearing. That is, those who lack sensitivity to certain tones will receive adjusted audio feedback based on which tones they struggle to hear. NuraLoop tests the user’s hearing by measuring otacoustic emissions, the sounds generated by the inner ear in response to stimuli; the analysis takes about one minute. The Bluetooth earbuds’ other features include noise cancellation and a social mode that allows for awareness of the surrounding environment and conversations.
The COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC in Bar Harbor is planning a 45,000-square-foot expansion. The first phase of construction has been approved for a 29,000-square-foot building that will house the Center for Human Ecology. E.L. SHEA INC. will lead the first phase of construction; the project architects are GO LOGIC, based in Belfast, and SUSAN T. RODRIGUEZ, based at a design firm in New York. Construction will follow passive house standards for energy performance; phase one is projected to finish in September 2020. After phase one is complete, the remainder of the expansion will begin for science laboratories, lecture halls, faculty offices, art and design studios, greenhouses for teaching and propagation, an experimental theater, an art gallery, and a welcome center that will house admissions offices and include an entrance plaza.
Integrated design firm HARRIMAN has promoted two of its engineers to principals. JAMES C. FORTIN and DAVID W. STORY join the other seven owners as part of a diverse core of leaders in the firm’s architectural, engineering, and planning practices. A news release from Harriman president Clif Greim states, “We are thrilled to welcome both Jim and Dave into the firm’s most senior leadership. They have long been highly regarded leaders, not only within the firm, but with our clients and peers in the community, and we are so pleased to have them be part of guiding the future of the firm.”
Construction for a new long-term care facility in Augusta for MAINE VETERANS’ HOMES began early this year. The $90 million, 179,000-square-foot four-building complex has been in the planning phase for the past five years and will be unique among long-term care residences in the state. The 138-bed facility is designed to be more like a home and strays from the hospital model typically seen in long-term healthcare buildings. From the exterior, private rooms appear to be part of a village, but each room’s facade will vary so that residents with memory loss can find their rooms with ease. Private rooms will be comfortable and spacious with plenty of seating to accommodate visitors, and common areas will make the rooms feel tied together, much like in an actual home. The outdoor space will have raised beds for gardening and a pond, which will be stocked for fishing. Maine Veterans’ Homes is an independent nonprofit; they provide services to veterans, their spouses, and parents who have lost a child in combat.