Philippe Starck's PIBAL, an Urban Hybrid Bike/Scooter, Gets Produced In 3000 Units by Peugeot.

PHILIPPE STARCK UNVEILS 'THE BICYCLE OF THE FUTURE' DESIGN IN BORDEAUX



When Bordeaux wanted to expand its bike sharing program, it turned to its citizens for input, garnering 300 responses, and the resulting ideas were integrated into a concept bike by designer Philippe Starck. The result is a crowd-sourced bicycle that is claimed to be the “ideal city bike”.



In the fall of 2011, the city began soliciting input from its residents about what from they would like to see in a city bike, and the information which came out of asking those questions became the starting point for Starck’s design. The resulting machine, dubbed the City PIBAL Streamer, is a hybrid bicycle design that can be ridden as per usual (pushing pedals to power it), but which can also be ridden like a scooter.



During the second annual edition of Cyclab, Philippe Starck presented the final rendering of the “ideal city bike” with Alain Juppé, the Mayor of Bordeaux.



The City PIBAL Streamer is basically a scooter and a bike compacted into one though the Bordelais (citizens of Bordeaux) are happy to have their very own custom-created public bike and no longer need to feel snubbed by metropolises like Paris and Copenhagen who got their own custom-created public bicycles a while ago.

"This is the analysis of the many responses from citizens Bordeaux diverse responses, constructive and intelligent and specificity of Bordeaux, what part of the new idea of ​​this means of locomotion. This seems to be a revolutionary ergonomic inventive and just answer the new questions including pedestrian areas." said Philippe Starck.


  above: Sandrine Bouvier, Alain Juppé and Philippe Starck with the PIBAL.

"Bordeaux is a city where cycling in all its forms, plays an increasingly large. We all act today in favor of the practice path. Industrial and political, designers and users, I am delighted. Beyond achievements involved, it seems necessary to open this forward thinking: we must think about the future of cycling. And climate change and other environmental challenges urge us to engage the preparation of the future, a growing amplified its use fits into our daily lives. It contributes new bike." said Alain Juppé.

 
Sandrine Bouvier of Peugeot says "We are delighted to be associated with the project initiated by the city of Bordeaux to multiply modes of urban transport. Continuous innovation in mobility is a major challenge for the brand since the launch of Mu by Peugeot in September 2009. Successfully mass produce the vision of Starck Bordeaux is the criteria for us exciting."

 
The bike-scooter hybrid comes with standard pedals and big yellow wheels that enable users to bike along as they would on any other bicycle. The platform placed in the middle of the step-through frame may seem a little eccentric for cyclists who are accustomed to simply leaving their feet on the pedals when they don’t need to pedal the bike, but for younger users who are a lot more accustomed to riding scooters, this unique feature could be particularly attractive. The trendy bike also has a large basket in front to help users carry their shopping with them and should prompt more people to leave their cars at home the next time they need to pop out to buy groceries.

The new bike-scooters will revitalize the bike park and enhance the mobility of the local inhabitant, thanks to a new ergonomic design to be produced by Peugeot for an urban environment. The bikes will available on loan to the inhabitants of Bordeaux.

“This idea for a new means of locomotion sprang from the analysis of much feedback from the citizens of Bordeaux, diverse opinions, constructive and intelligent ideas and the specificities of Bordeaux. This revolutionary solution seems to be the inventive and appropriate response to questions being asked regarding pedestrian areas”.

3000 of the bikes are expected to be manufactured by Peugeot by the end of this year, and will be added to Bordeaux’s bicycle sharing program.

images and info courtesy of Philippe Starck, Bordeaux écocitoyenne, and NBC news of France

Seeing RED At The Conran Shop. Over 40 Designers Do It In RED to Mark 25 Years.

THE CONRAN SHOP UNVEILS RED, A SPECIAL EXHIBITION FOR THE LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL 2012, 14-23 September 2012

The Conran Shop is pleased to announce RED, a special exhibition to mark 25 years at the Michelin Building during the London Design Festival 2012. The exhibition will include works by over 40 designers including Jasper Morrison, Thomas Heatherwick, Nendo, John Pawson, Ingo Maurer, Marcel Wanders, Raw Edges and Alexander Taylor.

Jasper Morrison's Lightwood Chair in RED:

Philippe Starck's Gnome in RED:

John Pawson Bowl in RED:


The extraordinary range of designers participating in RED reinforces the company’s philosophy of collaborating with both established, world-renowned designers and emerging design talent. Inspired by the iconic British Pillar Box, each piece has been specially commissioned for The Conran Shop or specially produced in a red colour-way. RED will be the first exhibition on view in the Blue Room at The Conran Shop.

Harry Bertoia's Wire Chair in RED (Knoll):

Eames EA104 Lobby Chair in RED (Vitra):


Pieces in the exhibition will range from innovative lighting to hand crafted furniture to a collection of limited edition accessories. London based design duo Raw Edges will present DeskBox for Arco produced in a red stained wood exclusively for the exhibition. Deskbox is a small collapsible desk created for a laptop, offering a practical design solution for modern day living in which we use a laptop in different areas of the home and not exclusively for work.

The Deskbox:


RED will also see British product designer, Alexander Taylor launch the new Grip LED torch manufactured by Praxis:


Grip draws direct reference to the familiar form of the BMX bicycle grip and demonstrates Taylor’s considered and intelligent approach to design. The red Grip torch has been specially commissioned for the exhibition and the first time the product will be shown in the UK.

Ingo Mauere's JB Dragonfly Light in RED:


Emerging American designer, Jonah Takagi will present a limited edition run of red Index tables produced by Council exclusively for RED. Tasked with creating a table made entirely of wood, Jonah Takagi has designed a family of occasional tables constructed in stained ash that highlights the natural grain of the wood. Each Index table uses the same typology of structure, with the shape of the top and scale differentiating the three sizes.

Jonah Takagi's Index Tables (below) will be in RED:


Other designers and contributors include the Campana Brothers, Sebastian Bergne, Sebastian Conran, Nathalie Dewez, Vincent van Duysen, Diego Fortunato, Patrick Norguet, the Bouroullec Brothers, Studio Job, Paula Navone, Patrick Norguet, Petit Pan, Doshi Levien, Christophe Pillet and Inga Sempe.

Manolo Blahnik's RED Corolla Boots:

Solange Azagury-Partridge Blood Red necklace:

Langlands & Bell Frozen Sky Wristwatch:


RED marks a significant moment for The Conran Shop’s flagship store, celebrating 25 years at the Michelin Building.RED is a special exhibition to mark 25 years at the Michelin Building during the London Design Festival 2012. The exhibition includes works by over 50 designers including Jasper Morrison, Nendo, Ross Lovegrove, Studio Job, Thomas Heatherwick, NoeDuchaufour-Lawrance, ManoloBlahnik and Front Design. The extraordinary range of international designers participating in RED reinforces the company’s philosophy of collaborating with both world-renowned designers and emerging design talent.

Ross Lovegrove's Hanger in RED:









The Conran Shop
Michelin House
81 Fulham Road
London, SW3 6RD
Dates: 14 – 23 September 2012
Mon-Tues, Fri 10.00 - 18.00
Wed-Thurs 10.00 - 19.00
Saturday 10.00 - 18.30
Sunday 12.00 - 18.00

images courtesy of The Conran Shop

The Sober Scoop Behind That Alcohol Spray That Gets You Instantly Drunk.

The news and blogosphere has been buzzing (pardon the pun) about a new spray that gets you instantaneously drunk created by Philippe Stark and creator of culinary aerosols, David Edwards of Le Laboratoire (and the man behind Aeroshots).



The product, WA|HH Quantum Sensations, is two flavored (Flash and Demon) mini sprays in cartridges which hold 2 milliliters of liquid. When sprayed, they deliver 20-25 actuations that provide an effect equivalent to a volume 1000 times its amount. WA|HH Quantum Sensations can be enjoyed as a spray directly into the mouth or onto foods of all kinds.



But the kids clamoring to find the product online (as witnessed by the numerous requests on their Facebook page) will be disappointed to learn that the effect only lasts a second and wears off immediately. The idea is to experience the sensorial pleasure much like an emotion. All that lingers is taste and a memory of the sensation.

“What happens with the WA|HH? I take my WA|HH and with a single spray I feel a touch of euphoria thanks to an infinitesimal dose, a thousand times less than a glass of alcohol. The WA|HH is a modern and intelligent alternative aligned with our own evolution, as one of the clear signs of part of the intelligent human production is dematerialization”. -- Philippe Starck


above left: Philippe Starck and above right, David Edwards

“WAHH Quantum Sensations contains in each quantum of flavor just 2 ml of liquid, and yet produces 20-25 actuations of vaporous sensation. It’s ability to deliver flavor with each actuation that grows in intensity with the vapor cloud of millions of tiny micro-droplets makes WAHH an exciting food spray for the future”. -- David Edwards




At the conclusion of its 14th experiment, Le Laboratoire presents the exhibition WA|HH, dedicated to the new mini spray of flavor WA|HH Quantum Sensations invented by Philippe Starck and David Edwards. An invitation to experience an explosion of culinary sensation in the smallest imaginable form.



At the origin of the experiment: an encounter. That of Philippe Starck, creator of international renown and David Edwards, founder of Le Laboratoire, Harvard Professor, and creator of the new field of aerosol cuisine. Their commonality? The re-invention of daily experience. Their exploratory ground? The immateriality of taste and texture. From their encounter comes WA|HH Quantum Sensations, a mini spray of flavor that, while extremely small (each cartridge holds 2 milliliters of liquid), delivers 20-25 actuations that provide a gustatory and olfactive effect equivalent to a volume 1000 times as voluminous. WA|HH Quantum Sensations can be enjoyed as a spray directly into the mouth or onto foods of all kinds.

The Briefest Light-Headedness
Imagine the possibility of enjoying the pleasure of alcohol without worrying about negative consequences, to have the sensation of light-headedness, without the risk of losing your senses, not to say utter drunkenness. To have the sensorial pleasure of alcohol without posing a threat to your health. This is the potential of WA|HH Quantum Sensations. The capacity to liberate alcohol flavors and transient vapor with minute quantities of alcohol in the form of tiny micro-particles*. The vapor from a single actuation produces a slight light-headedness, but it passes almost immediately. Taste and memory of an intense sensation remain. The quantity of alcohol that enters the body, what we call a quantum, is so small that the effects of WA|HH Quantum Sensations are transient, like an emotion.




WA|HH Flash Quantum

Above: When freshness offers itself as a revivifying breath, the taste buds reanimate our senses. WA|HH Flash Quantum offers a tonic flavor for a strong and instantaneous sensation. Vaporized directly the mouth, the flavors are freed on the pallet and leave a invigorating and immediate impression. Surprise guaranteed.

WA|HH Demon Quantum

above: Spice up your life? Give an instant sting for a moment of dazzling pleasure? WA|HH Demon Quantum wakes the senses up and kindles the spirit. With its spicy, wooded and slightly fruity flavors, WA|HH Demon Quantum guarantees a surprising feeling of euphoria. Ideal to vaporize on salty or sweet foods alike, WA|HH Demon Quantum offers a truly sensory exploration.

A Sensorial Exploration
Among the videos, images and scientific explanations, the exhibition of the two first flavors of the series, WA|HH Flash Quantum and WA|HH Demon Quantum, invite the visitor to powerful and distinctive sensations. Tested by spraying directly into the mouth or onto sweet and salty bites of food (to experience in the Showroom or at the Ephemeral Bar), the surprise is gripping. As Philippe Starck says - “Everyone has an occasional need of light-headedness, distraction, and another place … But our societies and codes of amusement have led to the over-consumption of alcoholic beverages as a kind of social placebo. The consequences are too familiar. With David Edwards, we asked ourselves whether we might provide the same agreeable sensation as comes with a sip of alcohol without running the risk of drunkenness. And WA|HH was born. Accent life with a magic wand, that was our desire. A spray of WA|HH and the shock is immediate, like a sensorial alarm”.

* An actuation delivers approximately 0.075 ml of alcohol liquid in the form of micro particles. This ‘quantum of alcohol’ is far too small to stimulate drunkenness, being nearly 1000 times smaller than a shot of alcohol (a shot contains approximately 40-60 ml). It would therefore take several hundreds of actuations of WAHH Quantum Sensations to deliver the alcohol content to the body of a standard glass of alcohol.



photos courtesy of Le Laboratoire and AFP PHOTO/Franck Fife

You can try it at the Food Lab in Paris

Philippe Starck Gives A Modern Makeover To Baccarat's Traditional Zenith Chandelier.

Baccarat's classic 12 light Zenith Chandelier gets a modern makeover by Philippe Starck as both a floor lamp and suspended lamp. Named the Marie Coquine, the 12 light chandelier and floor lamp take the classic crystal design and add some whimsy with an umbrella like shade and sandbag-like weighted counterbalance.

The original iconic Baccarat Zenith Crystal Chandelier:

above: the Classic Zenith 12 light Crystal Chandelier for Baccarat sells for $30,700.00

The new MARIE COQUINE CHANDELIER 12 LIGHTS - a cheeky and innovative reinterpretation of Baccarat’s classic Zenith chandelier by Philippe Starck:



Clear crystal and white lampshade, Price: $29,500.00

Pushed even further, the floor lamp version is an innovative reinterpretation that includes a counter weight.

The new MARIE COQUINE FLOOR LAMP by Philippe Starck:


Clear crystal and white lampshade by Philippe Starck, Price $38,000.00

Both are available from Baccarat