Design: Queen’s Human Media Lab

I am so happy to share the news of the Queen’s Human Media Lab designed by Karim Rashid because not only am I happy to shine the spotlight on Queen’s (I did my Master’s there) but I’ve been a fan of Karim Rashid for quite some time and I just love that he did his part to increase the hipness factor at Queen’s. The Human Media Lab’s sleek modern space offer a nice contrast to the traditional stone buildings that make up the majority of the buildings on campus.

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The Human Media Lab is located in Jackson Hall and the almost 2500 square feet space  includes a workspace, office, kitchen and corridor. The space is coming up to its one year anniversary in May. The space was designed by Karim Rashid and his team (including Camila Tariki, Evan McCollough, Kamala Hutauruk, and Juliette Hyunju Lee).

From my perspective (aka the perspective of a professional student), I love that the workspace includes a large meeting room for collaborative tasks, pods for individual work. The curved walls and windows are a stark contrast to the typically linear styles that are in traditional buildings.

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 windows at the Human Media Lab, Queen’s University

The Human Media Lab concept, Karim says, “is an open space with work stations that allow a flexible, interactive space where digital and physical can merge to shape and experiment and inspire. The design also allows the offices to close off to afford intense focused work”. Intense focused work – yes!

This space is so futuristic! There’s an interactive display with gesture technology. What does this mean? It means that people use in-air gestures to move objects around the wall-sized display screen. In addition, when people in adjoining cubicles are looking at each other, the translucent glass between them becomes transparent for communication. How does this happen? Two words: eye trackers. Cool!

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 Queen’s Human Media Lab, Kingston, Ontario

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The Workspace

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Kitchen

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Office

applemuseumThe Apple Collection

Photos courtesy of Jessica P. and Tre C. at Karim Rashid. Many thanks for your help.

 

Stationery: Daniella Marie Stationery & Design

Contrary to what some believe, invites, in my opinion, are one of the most important details of a wedding. They set the tone for the whole affair and they are the first thing to welcome your party guests. Canadian blogger and designer Daniella Marie recently opened up her stationery and design business and her wedding invite collection (it’s letterpress, of course!) is just beautiful.

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Everything – like wording and colour – is customizable which gives couples the opportunity to have their invitations reflect their personalities and style.

Congratulations Daniella on your new venture!

All images courtesy of Daniella Marie Stationery & Design.

Marketplace: EQ3 – Proudly Canadian

EQ3 is a Canadian furniture and home decor design company that strives to offer well-crafted and highly attractive products which are (mostly) made in Canada. I think EQ3 has a lot of great things to offer in terms of their inventory as well as in its design aesthetic and business philosophy. While you discover EQ3’s collection, be sure you don’t miss out on the work by some of my design favourites – Marimekko, Vitra, Alessi, and Herman Miller.

EQ3 Oblong Lamp

EQ3 Mini Table Lamp White

Marimekko Lumimarja Pillow Case

EQ3+ Vitra Elephant White

Images courtesy of EQ3. EQ3 locations.

Marketplace: Animal Cutting Boards

It’s no secret that we have an interest in decorating with fake animals in recent years. Remember my growing menagerie? I love the quirky appeal of these animal cutting boards from Quebec design company Brut Design. They would make perfect hostess and birthday gifts, don’t you think?

polar bear cutting board, $60, Brut Design

white beaver cutting board, Brut Design

These and other Canadian-made products are available for purchase at Galerie CO.

The Friday Five: Turkey Platters

Who is eating turkey this Thanksgiving weekend?

HIC turkey platter, $25

Gibson turkey platter, $29

Martha Stewart turkey platter, $22

Oneida Kitchenware turkey platter, $14.99

Bamboo Studies turkey platter, $17.25

For the third year in a row I will be cooking up a Thanksgiving feast (with the help of Martha Stewart, of course). Wish me luck!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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