All posts by Kristen Ordonez

What is Biophilic Design and Why is Growing in Popularity?

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There is growing interest in “green” or sustainable design, a concept derived from “biophilia” which is Greek for “the love of living things.” This idea and its application in architecture provides many questions: what exactly is biophilic design? What are the benefits? Perhaps most importantly, are there practical steps a designer can take to apply the principles of biophilic design in actual projects?

 

 

Forward thinking leaders at SageGlass, makers of the world’s most intelligent, reliable electrochromic glass, offer their thoughts on this design concept and possible roots designers and architects can take to implement more sustainable measures.

Eloïse Sok, Concept Creator in the SageGlass Europe & Middle-East Team, says the concept of biophilia was first written in 1984 by biologist Edward O. Wilson, in which he described the concept as to how humans have an innate connection with nature and with other living systems. This connection continues to thrive in assorted cultures, including Japanese culture where people have been been aware of the restorative effects of nature on health for a long time. An example of this takes the form of the Shinrin-Yoku, which translates to “forest bathing” and means a walk in the woods, Sok explains. This type of “bath” has been explored in several scientific studies that show how this practice can improve mood and sleep, reduce stress, decrease heart rate and blood pressure, boost the immune system and accelerate recovery from certain illnesses.

 

Sok explains that though this term has been known for many years, it has recently resurfaced with a revival of interest in prioritizing health and overall comfort in buildings, particularly in the architectural field. In order to bridge a better connection to nature from the indoors, the idea of biophilic design has further developed, “integrating elements into buildings that can directly or indirectly reconnect us with nature.”

Above Photo and Featured Image by Michael Christo.

Photo by Marianne Cousineau.

Though there are several principles central to biophilic design, a key part to keep in mind is the supply of natural light in buildings.

 

“[Light’s] dynamic nature through the day and during the year induces variability in terms of intensity, contrast, distribution and colors in a given space, which stimulates and enhances the wellbeing of the building’s occupants,” Sok explains. With this in mind, it’s important to control direct light penetration, which can interfere with certain activities, as well as temperature variations that affect comfort.

 

Another priority is to give access to outdoor views through windows, which allows for a visual connection with nature, which Sok notes is vital to an office environment in order to “relax the eye muscles and limit visual and cognitive fatigue.”

 

For more explanations of biophilic designs and how we can best prioritize through architecture and design, visit SageGlass’ full report here.

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A New Dawn in Lighting Design

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Making an iconic design statement in a minimal aesthetic, the Dawn to Dusk lighting fixture is the newest product released by the award-winning London-based design studio haberdashery that invites you to experience the magic of sunrises and sunsets from right inside your home.

 

The intricate design was inspired by the “the memory of the sun” and creating a strong connection with this memory, according to Ben Rigby, creative director and co-founder of haberdashery.

 

“We want to reach beyond the industry’s current expectations for a lighting product and push for a more ambitious blend of quality, creativity and narrative-driven design all wrapped up in an iconic, useful and aesthetically beautiful design statement,” says Rigby.

 

To do this, Rigby and other designers chose to work with an uncomplicated design to demonstrate the clarity of a rising sun, as well as identified the perfect color range that would create a strong, emotional resonance.

 

Available as a table and floor-standing lamp, the diffused circular light source explores a palette of warm colour hues during its transit of the vertical stand, delivering these as direct light, or as a flood of light on a wall.

When at the base the sliding light head sits in an off position, and then as it is moved upwards it activates a low intensity red hue, which transitions into orange, then 2700k white light as slid upwards. This custom LED light array, developed by Rigby and his team, replicates the transition of light from the deep, rich red of the late evening to the white light of midday. The light is also capable of rotating 360 degrees around, providing a range of uses from outward facing task light through to a backward-facing ambient light, creating a subtle wash.

 

Dawn to Dusk is meant to not only showcase a naturally beautiful occurrence but to also utilize this power to support our natural rhythm throughout the day. The high-quality white light helps users to wake up more naturally, while the richer, relaxing red colors help regulate the circadian cycle and prepare for sleep.


“haberdashery believes light is a transformative power in the world; we challenge what is possible with light, and through our products are defining a new category of contemporary lighting,” says Rigby.

All photos & video courtesy haberdashery.

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The Impact of Accents

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Meant to add that perfect finishing touch, accent pieces carry an important weight when it comes to completing a room’s design, from the size of a mirror or its frame to the brightness of matching lamps. High-end brand Frontgate understands the impact these items have on a space and offers an assortment of essential furnishings that bring that space together.

 

Mirrors

Finding the perfect accent mirror means finding the balance between functionality and beauty. If function is the priority, Frontgate offers pieces that keep this balance in mind. From the tropical Marigot Shell Mirror or the Temple Chinoiserie Wall Mirror, both optimal for spaces like bath vanities or entryways, beauty no longer has to be sacrificed.  

For Frontgate it’s all about making a statement, according to a brand representative, while also working with the space given. A perfect example is the Duchamps floor mirror. From the dressing room to the living room, this large floor-to-ceiling mirror with additional storage opens up a space with its reflective surface and creates a visual impact. For even more creative displays, art-inspired pieces like the Intermix Beveled Mirror also open a room and add a bit more interest to a simple space.

Geometric Pendant Lighting

Symmetry is key when it comes to lighting, particularly with pendant lighting options that usually come in twos. Geometric pendants are popular for a number of reasons. The variety of finishes and materials used to create them fit easily into almost any space. From the simple and elegant Maxwell and Tillary lights with metallic gold and brass finishes to the glamorous Aurora pendant, these fixtures have the ability to create a dramatic focal point in rooms that are purposeful on their own.

Velvet Pillows

An ever-widening trend in fashion and home design has been the inclusion of velvet in more ways than one. Particularly with pillows, Frontgate representatives says that “whether made of cotton or silk, crushed or devoré, running your hand along a length of velvet is a sumptuous experience.”

The transformative powers of the fabric are never-ending; a cold house becomes a warm home when a velvet throw is draped over curves, catching the light and bringing a dimensional texture to a piece of furniture or to a room. And while velvet is known for playing well with other fabrics in fashion, it also pairs perfectly with faux fur, brass, glass, marble and more. Scattering some velvet pillows on a neutral-colored couch adds a visual, tactile warmth, perfect for the fall, transforming a simple space to a sophisticated room.

All photos courtesy Frontgate. 

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Fabulous Finds: Construction Underway on New Los Angeles Condos

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Capturing the charm of Silver Lake, Vica is a unique mixed-use real estate offering that will be the first new condominium development in the Los Angeles neighborhood in 10 years.

 

Vica, meaning “the life,” was developed to complement the eclectic vibe of the neighborhood and the community, according to Justin Barth, principal of Los-Angeles based developer Barth Partners. Barth, alongside Ireland’s Barry Leddy Developments, aims to fulfill the housing demands of the community and to create a living experience that articulates the style and personality of Silver Lake.

 

Vica is prominently located close to Hollywood and Downtown, amidst some of the most spirited coffee shops and contemporary eateries in the area. Designed by Killefer Flammang Architects, the development will boast 31 exquisite residences, as well as five penthouses, which will each feature an interior staircase that leads up to a private rooftop terrace.

 

Designer Laura Derland and the Loraline Design team have also created interiors that strike the perfect balance between masculine and feminine and dark and light within the communal spaces and residences.

 

The development’s amenities include a meditation garden, state-of-the-art fitness studio, The Lounge at Vica, a pool and spa observation deck, and a 3,000-square-foot, ground-floor retail space with unmatched outdoor dining experiences near Sunset Boulevard. Vica’s versatility makes it a standout development for an assortment of buyers, from entrepreneurs and professionals to young singles or couples.

 

“People longing for more connectivity with one another and the world around them will find Vica unlike any other available new living opportunity within Los Angeles,” Barth affirms. — Kristen Ordonez

 

Photo courtesy of Vica

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On Location: One&Only Mandarina

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An hour outside Puerto Vallarta’s International Airport along the western coastal state of Nayarit, Mexico, is the future site of Mandarina, a new, exclusive resort that will feature hotel suites, one of the world’s first collections of One&Only branded residences and other world-class amenities. Unique Homes was able to get a behind-the-scenes look at the site of this future resort.

Entering the site of Mandarina is like stepping directly into a tropical jungle, surrounded by the sounds of native creatures and the crashing waves along the Pacific coast. The road leading toward Mandarina is outlined by plots of farmland owned by local farmers from the region. Fields of fruits and vegetables dictate the way, the spikes of the rising pineapple plants standing tall like knights in verdant green armor. Even taller than the pineapples are the amazing mountains that serve as the natural border of the valley, as well as a nature sanctuary for hundreds of jaguars, a nationally protected animal of Mexico.

Up through the mountains, we walk through an almost prehistoric forest with deep-rooted trees that stretch high into the jungle canopy. This area, a soon-to-be Kid’s Club, will host educational programming for children and families to learn about nature, geography and history with the inclusion of tribal markings on stones throughout the mountains. Eventually we make our way to The Point, a high ridge on one of the main mountains and the future site of an adult-only destination on the resort with exquisite indoor-outdoor dining experiences. From here the entire landscape is laid out perfectly in front of us, from the Jetty that will extend in front of the One&Only Majahua Beach Club for residents to harbor and set off on sea-faring endeavors. On the one-mile stretch of beachfront between the One&Only and Rosewood resorts will be the Canalan Beach Club with a beachside swimming pool and casual dining.
“It is very rare to find a landscape with so many unique and diverse ecosystems,” says our host Ricardo Santa Cruz, RSC president and CEO. RSC Development was enlisted by RHL Properties to oversee the sales of the developments on Mandarina, including the collection of One&Only Private Homes and Rosewood Mandarina residences.
“Mandarina was shaped thousands of years ago by a long-dormant volcano, creating dramatic cliffs amongst a dense rainforest, long stretches of sandy, swimmable beaches, flatlands and a natural estuary all in one place.” Juan Bremer, deputy CEO of RHL Properties, notes that one of the resort’s most unique and exceptional offerings is the world-class Polo and Equestrian Club that will sit within the flatlands of the property. “Capturing the equestrian spirit that is deeply rooted in Mexican culture, Mandarina’s facility will be a place where riders of all ages will gather, learn, practice and compete,” says Bremer.

Top photo: Rendering of Majahua Beach Club; Bottom photo: Rendering of The Jetty.

Apart from certain sections of the site that are already under construction, a large part of the property is waiting to be developed, which according to Santa Cruz will be done in stages, coinciding with the sales of the 55 One&Only Private Homes. Santa Cruz has been working and negotiating with citizens and authorities within the region for more than 10 years to acquire the land for Mandarina, an endeavor that has formed a closer relationship between Mandarina and the local towns along the coast. These relationships are a deeper reflection of RHL and RSC’s focus on the land and keeping the resort and residences as authentic to the region as possible.

Authenticity was a main priority to Santa Cruz and the development team, so much so that the resort’s amenities consistently reference the land’s history and natural beauty. For example, the fertile plots of farmland lining the road to the property will offer locally grown produce for a farm-to-table experience at the restaurants at The Point and beach clubs.

“We have set out to create a destination that is at once, respectful of the past and mindful of the future,” Santa Cruz affirms. “Through careful, very low-density land planning, Mandarina will preserve the topography, native flora, wildlife and ecosystems that currently thrive here.”

Rendering of the lounge area of The Plateau.

The architect of Mandarina, Rick Joy of Rick Joy Architects, has had a hand in every meticulous detail throughout the design process to ensure this sense of authenticity, with climate responsibility and landscape sensitivity also in mind. “At Mandarina, the design stems from a detailed site analysis, investigating the geology, climate, views, availability of local materials and ‘the building culture of place.’ The result is architecture that is at one with the site and its heritage,” says Santa Cruz.

Renderings from the One&Only Mandarina villas.

In Mandarina, every terrain you set foot on and every view your eyes capture is different from the next, a variety that is not only unique but engaging. RHL and RSC understand the need for unique experiences and tailored luxury and aim to prove with One&Only Mandarina how to engage not only in luxury, but with the physical world around us.

Top left photo: Rendering of One&Only Mandarina villa ; Bottom left photo: Rendering of the Plateua ; Right photo: Rendering of The Point.

All images courtesy Hayes Davidson and Mandarina.

This article orginally apeared in the

Ultimate 2018 edition of Unique Homes. 

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Nuura Offers Lighting Designs Inspired by Nordic Light

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Recently released exclusively with SUITENY, the design brand Nuura is known for creating aesthetic and select lighting options that reflect the riches and joy found in Nordic nature. With the chandelier as a central focus, Nuura offers lighting collections that enrich the room and complete the interior in both private homes and public spaces. By combining delicate design with state-of-the-art technology, the designers strive to create unique quality lighting that has a positive impact on our wellbeing.
“The meaning of Nuura is light and honour,” says a brand representative. “From our base in Denmark, we are inspired by the Nordic light — an everlasting source of inspiration. We wish that our lighting collections will spread life and joy.”

Anoli

Elegant droplets and golden warmth are the essence of the sophisticated pendant collection Anoli. The collection is made of metal and mouth blown glass which are hand-painted in a delicate golden color. It ranges from sleek pendants to elegant chandeliers and can be customised for larger projects and private homes.The unique Nordic light combines with the elegant raindrop design in the most elegant way.

Miira

One of these exclusive collections include Miira, a simple and timeless design that includes fixtures that complement each other and help create a unique Nordic feel. The Miira collection is designed with the chandelier at its centre and expands into a complete series of light. These lighting arrangements can be used everywhere, from private homes to large exclusive interior decorations. Miira means “beautiful vision” and is designed by the awarded Danish lighting designer, Sofie Refer.
Rooted in the Scandinavian design tradition, as a respect for nature and the beauty of simplicity are two of the most valuable qualities in Refer’s designs. With esteem for the tradition, she likes to challenge the perception and with curiosity and eagerness to explore the riches, generosity and extravagance of environment interprets these in her lighting designs.
“I am truly inspired by light in the Nordic. I strive to balance simplicity and grandeur, and create light that has a pure yet sensuous expression,” Refer says.

All photos courtesy SUITENY.

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Expert Q&A — Designing the Atlanta BeltLine

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This early image shows the 11-foot-wide littoral shelf around the edge of the basin. All photos courtesy Tom Schurch.

The Atlanta BeltLine is one of the most comprehensive urban design efforts in the current era and is transformative for Atlanta, a city known for poor land use practices over the past quarter century. The BeltLine will ultimately connect 45 in-town neighborhoods through 11 nodes within a 22-mile loop of multi-use trails, light rail transit, and parks – all based on abandoned railroad corridors that encircle Atlanta. With regard to urban design and landscape architecture, a key individual who has guided the BeltlIne’s unfolding is its Principal Landscape Architect, Kevin Burke, ASLA. In a conversation between Burke and Thomas Schurch, Urban Design PPN Co-Chair and Professor of Landscape Architecture & Urban Design at Clemson University, Burke shares his experiences and insights concerning this remarkable achievement. Below are several sections from the interview:

How significant is the Atlanta BeltLine as an exercise in urban design and the landscape architect’s role in that regard?

The term “transformative” best describes the long-term outcomes. The Eastside Trail is indicative as close to 2 million people use this two-mile section annually and upon completion a significant number are expected to use the 1.5 mile extension to the south. Now that kids can ride their bikes the two miles without traffic conflicts, quite a few students use the trail to get to school. A 2 million square-foot building that was sitting unused was subsequently purchased by Jamestown Properties which invested over $300 million renovating the structure into food courts, commercial/office space, and residential, now the Ponce City Market. The 17-acre park also has seen over 2,400 new housing units that did not exist before 2008. $50 million in public and private funds were used to purchase/design/construct the park and, at the moment, the return on investment (ROI) from all the construction is above 10 and rising.

By definition is The BeltLine a “greenbelt?” If not, what would you call it?

While there are aspects of the project that would be understood as consistent with a greenbelt, it is so much more. The Atlanta BeltLine is a $4.8 billion multi-modal transportation project that promotes historic preservation, affordable housing, job creation, along with 33 miles of multi-use trails, and 1,300 acres of new or renovated public open space. It is a project that alters people’s perception of optional ways to get around the city, to socialize, recreate, and the various changes that will accrue from those opportunities.

In this more recent image, the plant material has established to the point of better defining the various spaces around the basin. In the background is one of the seven new apartment complexes near the park. 

Regarding sustainability and resilience – green infrastructure, habitat, carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions – how “green” is The BeltLine?

We have a very robust community engagement process that reaches out to neighborhood groups, Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs generally encompass several adjacent communities), churches, businesses, and others. We are preparing to meet with the Enota Park neighborhood in SW Atlanta to initiate design by reviewing the master plan completed 10 years ago to deciding what elements are still acceptable. We’ll return with two conceptual designs for further input and then with the design development drawings for the selected option. … Our CEO has coffee with smaller groups to listen to their concerns and discuss various aspects of the project. Of course, he also reached out to business and government to keep them informed and to gather support. Finally, we have a large social media presence across multiple platforms that keeps people informed about scheduling of events and meetings.

This is a huge project that involves many diverse communities. What have been some of the best methods for community outreach at the ground level?

H4WP and D.H. Stanton Park opened in 2011-2012, and based on Department of Parks and Recreation statements that electricity is the primary hard cost in each park, we installed 23 and 33.5 Kw photovoltaic systems, respectively, to offset power costs in the two parks. The two systems were designed to offset 40 to 45 percent and 100 percent, respectively, of the costs in each park. In H4WP, we also integrated the photovoltaic system into a shade structure adjacent to a multi-use field. We [also] plant 700 to 800 trees per year as replacements for trees removed during construction phases.

The $350 million Ponce City Market renovation in the background and the construction of Historic Fourth Ward Park support the nearby apartment building occupancy of over 90% on a consistent basis. 

What would you like to add regarding The Beltline?

I think it is important to note that Atlanta BeltLine is now requiring that all parks designed for us will include SITES Silver or Gold certifications. We are the first public agency in the southeast to require utilization of SITES. Enota Park will be the first park under the new standard. … Lastly, I think in this day and age, we focus too often on the here and now. What Atlanta BeltLine seeks to do is, at its core, create a legacy project that will serve the residents and visitors to Atlanta for the coming decades and beyond. It is critical that we as landscape architects not lose track of that timeframe in all the decisions we make and what urban design in landscape architecture can offer.

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The Works of the Late Will Alsop

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Headshot image courtesy of Malcolm Crowther

British architect Will Alsop recently passed away at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy that encapsulated a variety of architectural styles throughout Britain and Canada. According to his studio’s website, all Design, Alsop’s core values were innovation, expression and originality with an emphasis on enjoyment, to ultimately “make life better” by designing individual buildings or spaces that embrace broader principles of urbanism and city development. To further this philosophy, he often used painting, writing and “playing” to further an understanding of design.
In cities like Toronto, London, and Hamburg, many projects completed by Alsop can be defined through colorful and striking details that both stood out and completed the surrounding community. Below we’ve listed several of his projects that emphasized his values.

North Greenwich, Finch West and Pioneer Village Stations
Alsop partnered with John Lyall and Jan Störmer in 1999 to complete the North Greenwich station of the London Underground. This station boasts a tiled interior with striking cobalt-blue columns, inspired by the design of Mass Transit Railway stations in Hong Kong.
The architect also had a hand in several stations “across the pond” in Toronto, Canada. While the Pioneer Village station features irregularly-shaped chandeliers and a dramatic outdoor canopy, the Finch West station is, by contrast, “a happy assemblage of brightly coloured glass panels,” according to Simon Lewsen of Azure Magazine.

Courtesy Jason Paris

Courtesy Mike Knell

Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Sharp Centre for Design, OCAD University, Toronto
Alsop’s design for OCAD University’s Sharp Centre features a large checkerboard slab centered above a school building atop tilted, multi-colored pillars. The $42.5 million expansion and redevelopment received numerous awards, including the first Royal Institute of British Architects Worldwide Award, the award of excellence in the “Building in Context” category at the Toronto Architecture and Urban Design Awards, and further redefined the university and the surrounding neighborhood.

Peckham Library, London
Opening in 2000, the Peckham Library in south-east London features pre-patinated copper and is shaped like an upside-down capital L. The top section of the structure, an elevated reading room expertly set above the noise of the street, is supported by slender steel pillars set at different angles. Winning the Stirling Prize for Architecture that year, Peckham Library was the project that heralded Alsop as an iconic architect.

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Country estates find their way back into buyer’s hearts

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Photo courtesy of Brian Smith

Known for being havens of rustic, down-to-earth hideaways, ranches, farms and country estates are finding their way back into the forefront of buyer’s minds. Luckily for those interested, these properties can be found in nearly every corner of the U.S.

Located in the heart of Albany is Cane Mill Plantation, a $16 million estate in the heart of the quail plantation belt in Georgia. Properties in this area are contiguous with one another, according to agent Elliot Davenport Jr., of Hall and Hall, and cover a large breadth of land with a variety of outdoor recreation. Offering a main lodge, staff housing, dog kennel and more, this fifth-generation-owned property is an ideal hunting retreat at the tail-end of the Appalachian Mountains, at only an hour distance to Atlanta.

Southwest in Texas is a more wide-ranging assortment of ranch, farm and estate properties to choose from, depending on the needs of the buyers. “Buyers without horses often go a bit further outside of the Dallas/Fort Worth area,” says Keller Williams Realty Agent Kim Hunter, “as their country estates are used similarly to mountain or lake homes; it’s really about a weekend retreat for these buyers. Ranchers tend to look for much larger tracts (100-plus acres) where they keep a mixture of horses and cattle.”

Photo courtesy of California Outdoor Properties

Photo courtesy of California Outdoor Properties

Photo courtesy of Hall and Hall

Hunter just listed the Furst Ranch Estate, a 127-acre working ranch with world-class horse facilities and a high lodge-style home atop one of the highest points in northern Denton County. Apart from the renovated lodge home, the rolling landscape and abundance of trees on the exterior is what surely makes this ranch special. “It’s not pretentious, despite its size and amenities, so it could serve as a private home, family compound, corporate or executive retreat,” says Hunter.

Farther west into the Williams Fork River Valley of Colorado sits Motherwell Ranch, a 10,350±-acre mountain ranch that combines a diverse landscape, privacy, fishing from multiple water sources, and much more. Water is what secures Motherwell as a significant property, according to Hall and Hall Agent Brian Smith. “Good water is essential … and with 3.3 miles of the Williams Fork River, four lakes, over 90 ponds and smaller creeks, the ranch really stands out for its quality and quantity of water,” says Smith.

Local Californian rancher and Realtor Jim Martin is listing White Oak Ranch and Vineyard, a 255-acre property in Mendocino County with 130 acres of productive vineyards. “The White Oak Ranch & Vineyard is California’s premiere wine country estate where Mediterranean refinement blends with Western tradition,” says Martin, as the ranch’s architectural style is based on homes in Provence, France.

On the ranch is the Villa, which offers 10,000 square feet, five en suite bedrooms, seven baths, a professional kitchen, two internal courtyard gardens and an outdoor kitchen with an exterior fireplace. White Oak has first-class amenities of the highest order, coupled with a full-scale, commercial and income-producing vineyard. — Kristen Ordonez

Left and top right photos courtesy of Kim Hunter. Bottom right photo courtesy of California Outdoor Properties.

THIS STORY WAS FEATURED IN OUR SPRING 2018 ISSUE.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL DIGITAL VERSION.

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Wabi-Sabi: A New Philosophy of Design

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Open to all pathways of creativity, the industry of design is ever-changing and consistently relies upon innovative visionaries who see the world in different ways. A new area of design that has the potential to make an impact is based around the philosophy of wabi-sabi. 

Artist and author Leonard Koren of “Wabi-Sabi: for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers” describes the philosophy as “a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete,” or the opposite of things that are perfect, everlasting and monumental.
The author, who lived on and off in Japan for 20 years before writing his first book on the subject, first learned the terms “wabi” and “sabi” when studying the Japanese tea ceremony, and often heard his designer and artist friends use “wabi-sabi” in conversation.
“I knew what they meant but when I looked the term up in Japanese dictionaries — and I looked through dozens of them — I couldn’t find it. So I embarked on an intensive study that resulted in the codification of wabi-sabi in clear, rational language. This study, he said, has brought wabi-sabi into discussion over meaning in both the Eastern and Western worlds.

“Things wabi-sabi are often initially perceived as ugly. It is the transmutation of the not-beautiful into the beautiful that is part of the magic of wabi-sabi. Accordingly, every person finds wabi-sabi in different things and therefore applies the term in different ways,” Koren notes.

With regard to design and architecture, wabi-sabi plays a key role in both the acquisition and maintenance of design elements in the home, from antiques to finishes on wooden surfaces. Koren gives the example of an 18th century Italian desk, which upon first glance shows evidence of hundreds of years of human use and misuse, including discoloration and natural deterioration with age.
“The value of the desk is not diminished by these ‘imperfections,’” Koren says. “Rather, it is enhanced because these deviations from the perfect reveal a rich, complex history. The scars, nicks, bruises, et cetera connect the desk to a larger context: time’s passing and concomitant natural processes.”
Koren notes a few modern design methods that fit into the design aesthetic, from Corten steel, which is designed to develop a permanent rust patina, to works by the Spanish artist Antoni Tapies who sometimes uses marble dust in his paint, waste paper, string and rags.  
Though the term “wabi-sabi” might not be on everyone’s design radar, Koren believes the term has gained a permanent foothold in the minds of sophisticated Western designers and architect — “even if they never explicitly use the term!”

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