4th August 2023
August news: why has Andu Masebo dismantled an Alfa Romeo?
New to Zetteler: Spanish designer Jorge Penadés, community placemakers Beyond the Box, progressive branding agency TEMPLO, and Msoma Architects’ Bushra Mohamed.
Alfa Romeo Cloverleaf components used in Part Exchange. Photo courtesy Andu Masebo.
Andu Masebo at LDF 2023
Story-driven designer exhibits furniture family built from a single car
As a designer, Andu Masebo is as interested in the stories objects tell as the objects themselves. Nowhere is this better expressed than his forthcoming project for the annual V&A Emerging Designer Commission during LDF. Part Exchange comprises a family of furnishings that tell the full 25 year history of a single car – and all the people whose lives it touched.
Drawing on conversations with previous owners, Andu has created a series of furniture items and domestic objects from the disassembled components of an Alfa Romeo Cloverleaf. All signs suggest this will be a major highlight of #LDF2023.
TEMPLO founders Anoushka Rodda and Pali Palavathanan.
TEMPLO
A decade of purpose-driven visual storytelling
A few years ago, when we met Anoushka Rodda and Pali Palavathanan, the duo behind TEMPLO, we were immediately impressed. A million and one agencies claim to be driven by values, which in reality means doing ethical projects to rack up awards while quietly cashing cheques from the world’s villains. These two are genuinely different.
Now, as TEMPLO approaches its 10-year anniversary in October, the list of major projects reflects the multifaceted ambitions that have defined the agency’s work over the past decade – from tackling societal taboos with charity Dignity in Dying, to facing up to the urgency of climate crisis for the UN, busting human rights myths with Amnesty International and, soon, working with artist John Akomfrah at their second British Pavilion in Venice.
Take a stand
Now, as TEMPLO approaches its 10-year anniversary in October, the list of major projects reflects the multifaceted ambitions that have defined the agency’s work over the past decade – from tackling societal taboos with charity Dignity in Dying, to facing up to the urgency of climate crisis for the UN, busting human rights myths with Amnesty International and, soon, working with artist John Akomfrah at their second British Pavilion in Venice.
Take a stand
Portrait of Jorge Pénades in his studio. Courtesy of Jorge Pénades.
Jorge Penadés
Meet Madrid’s material innovator
From his namesake studio in Madrid, Jorge Penadés has been working tirelessly on furniture, products, interiors and one-off projects in London and across Europe since 2015. Whether creating an experimental one-off installation or designing for the likes of Adidas, Berluti and Camper, Jorge embodies an empathetic, human-centred approach to design, with deep research and rigorous systems thinking woven into every project.
Step into his office
Step into his office
The Collection paper sampler. Image courtesy of G . F Smith.
G . F Smith
A new chapter, with Zetteler
Founded in 1885, G . F Smith continues to be one of the world’s leading suppliers of fine papers to the creative industries – and now, at a pivotal moment for the much-beloved company, we’re proud to announce we’re working together once again.
With new blood on the team, a recently acquired B-Corp status and a host of creative projects on the horizon, it’s an exciting time for this heritage brand. For any stories around British manufacturing and sustainability, or potential collab ideas, we’re here to help.
Turn the page
With new blood on the team, a recently acquired B-Corp status and a host of creative projects on the horizon, it’s an exciting time for this heritage brand. For any stories around British manufacturing and sustainability, or potential collab ideas, we’re here to help.
Turn the page
Bushra Mohamed, founder of Msoma Architects. Portrait by Luca Bosco.
Msoma Architects
Bushra Mohamed is foregrounding diasporic voices in the built environment
Growing up in Kenya and moving to the UK when she was 12 years old, Bushra Mohamed is an architect and researcher with a bold vision for the future of architecture – one which foregrounds the experiences of the diaspora to champion multigenerational and intergenerational living. Working across housing, exhibitions and public space, she was named a RIBA rising star in 2020, founded Msoma Architects in 2022 and has a slew of projects launching in 2023, at the V&A, Design Museum and beyond.
We’re working with Bushra to amplify the reach of Msoma Architects, expand her network and promote her transformative projects. Get ready to hear about exciting projects and new visions for architecture.
Diasporic living
We’re working with Bushra to amplify the reach of Msoma Architects, expand her network and promote her transformative projects. Get ready to hear about exciting projects and new visions for architecture.
Diasporic living
External shot of Manchester Jewish Museum by Citizens Design Bureau, photo by Joel Chester Fildes.
Citizens Design Bureau
RIBA honours Manchester Jewish Museum renovation
RIBA honours Manchester Jewish Museum renovation
As part of RIBA’s 30-strong list of National Award-winning projects, the Manchester Jewish Museum project by Citizens Design Bureau has taken a top spot. This is one of many awards that feather the cap of this Grade II*-listed former synagogue and museum.
Designed by architect Katy Marks and her team, the ambitious renovation celebrates rarely told stories of international Jewish experience in multiple languages, from as far afield as Spain, North Africa, Yemen and more, and nurturing conversations about difference, diversity, community and identity.
Have a gander
Designed by architect Katy Marks and her team, the ambitious renovation celebrates rarely told stories of international Jewish experience in multiple languages, from as far afield as Spain, North Africa, Yemen and more, and nurturing conversations about difference, diversity, community and identity.
Have a gander
Launch of the Cultural Mazes ‘Roots of Heritage’ Pavilion, the winning design for the People’s Pavilion 2023. Photography courtesy Beyond The Box, by Benjamin Paris.
Beyond the Box
Next generation of placemakers
Next generation of placemakers
At Lea Bridge Library in London, Beyond the Box’s extraordinary community-focused People’s Pavilion Festival will run from 29 July to 11 August. Driven by a bold new vision of collaborative design and co-production, the festival aims to champion the young placemakers of tomorrow.
Young Londoners will design and build their own temporary pavilion, literally and metaphorically taking up space in their city. This inspiring group of 14–18-year-olds worked together in a small team, partnering with professionals in architecture, construction and the creative industries. Alongside the design competition, the public is invited to take part in a busy schedule of music, food and art.
Take up space
Young Londoners will design and build their own temporary pavilion, literally and metaphorically taking up space in their city. This inspiring group of 14–18-year-olds worked together in a small team, partnering with professionals in architecture, construction and the creative industries. Alongside the design competition, the public is invited to take part in a busy schedule of music, food and art.
Take up space
Photo of artists at Submit to Love Studio. Courtesy of Leon Foggitt and Headway East London.
Headway East London
differently various at the Barbican exhibits neurodiverse art
differently various at the Barbican exhibits neurodiverse art
Now open (but only until this Sunday!) at the Barbican, differently various is an exhibition of more than 200 works by more than 60 artists. Headway East London, a charity working with people affected by brain injury, will take over the Curve gallery to present a multifaceted exhibition. This is a rare opportunity to experience an astonishing collection of neurodiverse art.
A rich public programme of tours, talks and workshops, as well as relaxed performances of music, poetry and film screenings, will open up conversations around brain injury and challenge received understanding of who gets to be called an artist.
Visit the show before it closes this Sunday
A rich public programme of tours, talks and workshops, as well as relaxed performances of music, poetry and film screenings, will open up conversations around brain injury and challenge received understanding of who gets to be called an artist.
Visit the show before it closes this Sunday
Workshop image courtesy Material Cultures.
Material Cultures
Sustainable-building workshops
Sustainable-building workshops
Interested in the future of how we build? In September, Material Cultures hosts two special workshops to share knowledge around prefabrication methods and low-embodied carbon technologies. Over three days from 7–9 September, you can join Material Cultures and traditional plasterer Esme Walker to learn about working with lime; then on 22–24 September, decorative plasterer Ffion Blench shifts the focus to working with clay plaster.
Both sessions will cover the theory, practical and experimental use of the materials, and are taking place at the Brickworks, Bellingdon. If sustainable construction is your thing, this is seriously worth checking out. Subsidised tickets are available for underrepresented practitioners.
Learn to lime render and to clay plaster
Both sessions will cover the theory, practical and experimental use of the materials, and are taking place at the Brickworks, Bellingdon. If sustainable construction is your thing, this is seriously worth checking out. Subsidised tickets are available for underrepresented practitioners.
Learn to lime render and to clay plaster
Artwork by Nirbhai (Nep) Singh Sidhu. Image courtesy of V&A.
Without Shape Without Form
Self-discovery and spirituality at the V&A
Self-discovery and spirituality at the V&A
From the one-of-a-kind arts organisation Without Shape Without Form, Unstruck Melody is a unique collaboration with British-born Canadian artist Nirbhai (Nep) Singh Sidhu. Part of the London Design Festival programme at the V&A South Kensington, this special installation uses tapestry, sculpture and film to explore ideas of spirituality and self-discovery through Sikh teachings. The display will be on view from 16 September to Sunday 15 October 2023.
Find yourself
Find yourself
+44 (0)7791 568890
Unit 73B Regent Studios
8 Andrews Road
London
E8 4QN
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London
E8 4QN