Design of all disciplines will take New York City by storm later this week with the start of the second annual NYCxDESIGN festival (May 9 – 20), which includes more than 300 events at venues throughout the city. Whether at home, at work, or somewhere in between, you’re likely to be within a stone’s throw from a New York Design Week event or exhibition.
Kick off of the inaugural NYCxDESIGN week, May 2013
A collaboration between NYC & Company, NYCEDC, City agencies, the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and a steering committee, NYCxDESIGN aims to create a collaborative platform, elevate design practices and increase awareness of and appreciation for design.
Editor at Large has edited down the multitude of events in this essential event guide to help interior designers navigate the week.
Design Fairs, Markets, Shows and Festivals
Tables by Wexler Gallery, exhibitors at Collective 2
Collective 2 (May 8 – 11) features installations, exhibitions and a series of talks. Highlights include a solo show of work by Dutch designer Hella Jongerius; Collective Settings, a collaboration between gallerists and interior designers; Focus: Scandinavia, a curated selection of works from Nordic cultures; and an exhibition of student projects from Design Academy Eindhoven in The Netherlands.
BKYLN DESIGNS (May 9 – 11) features a dynamic collection of designs from the most innovative Brooklyn-based furnishing designers and manufacturers, including the latest contemporary furniture, lighting, carpet and flooring, wallcoverings, tabletop/outdoor furniture, and accessories. Highlights of the show include displays put together by emerging young designers including students from the Pratt Institute, walking tours of the show with the Architect’s Newspaper Editor Alan Brake, and a conversation on “New Models for the Business of Design” with New York Magazine’s Design Editor Wendy Goodman.
Items to be on display at DECOR BKLYN
DÉCOR BKLYN (May 10 – 17) features original furniture and product design, paintings, photography and sculpture by Brooklyn designers that have transformed their creative passion in to thriving businesses.
WantedDesign (May 16 – 19) is a creative and convivial platform that brings together international designers, architects, interior designers, craftsmen, editors, manufactures, curators and communication specialist—all under one roof. The design show features workshops, conversation series, school projects, a pop-up store and cafes for people to relax and connect. Highlights include an expanded array of international exhibitors from Turkey, Lebanon, Iran and Quebec; a conversation between Susan Szenasy, Sarah Krasley and Bruno Dussert-Vidalet; and an exhibition focused on original design.
Axor, exhibitor at WantedDesign
WantedDesign is teaming up with Industry City, a historic, 30-acre manufacturing and innovation complex on the waterfront in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Industry City/Design (May 10 – 20) will host events, exhibitions, installations and conversations around the state and evolution of the design industry, as well as the official kick-off party.
The Decoration and Design Building is set to host its annual Spring Market (May 15) featuring two keynote panel discussions and more than thirty showroom programs, events and open houses. Click here for a full list of programming.
INTRO/NY (May 15 – 19), by smallpond and Design Junction, returns this year with an exciting line up of international design brands. New furniture and lighting from Castor, Decode, Massproductions, Modus, Muuto, Resident and Very Good & Proper will make their US debut at the show. Visitors can also shop the latest design accessories from by Earnest Studio, Leibal, neo-utility and Tokyo Bike.
This year, Sight Unseen magazine is launching “Sight Unseen OFFSITE” (May 16 – 20), a brand-new design fair that will maintain the same spirit as the Noho Design District, which ran from 2010 to 2013, but on an even more ambitious scale. The fair will be held over two floors at 200 Lafayette, a 17,000 square-foot landmarked Soho building located at one of downtown’s most vibrant intersections. Showcasing a curated selection of furniture and product launches by independent designers and forward-thinking brands, Sight Unseen OFFSITE will continue the former Noho Design District’s reputation as one of New York design week’s most exciting platform for new ideas and talents.
Daniel Heath, exhibitor at ICFF
The 26th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) (May 17 – 20) aims to be North America’s platform for global design, and maps out the newest frontier of what’s best and what’s next in design. Over the course of the four days more than 500 exhibitors from all points of the globe will display contemporary furniture, seating, carpet and flooring, lighting, outdoor furniture, materials, wall coverings, accessories, textiles, and kitchen and bath for residential and commercial interiors. Visit the website for exhibitor information and a list of the “ICFF Talks." Highlights of this year’s show include “HYLAND’s 8x8,” a curated collection of fabrics chosen by top interior designers, organized by Christopher Hyland; an exhibition by British designer Jasper Morrison; educational programming put on by the ASID; and the annual Opening Night Party (May 17, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.).
French Design Connection (May 17) is tailored for New York’s design-savvy public and shows a selection of smart, innovative, endearing, ironic and visually arresting design objects of human-friendly scale. It’s organized by Francesco Pirrello, the founder of the globe trotting Meet My Project label.
Heath Ceramics, subject of Design by Hand series
Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum will present the next installment of its Design by Hand series (May 6 -10), which focuses on the craftsmanship, innovations and merits of pioneering design organizations. The weeklong program will spotlight Heath Ceramics, whose iconic tableware and tile are still made in small runs on the premises of its Sausalito, California dinnerware factory and new San Francisco tile factory, just as they have been since 1948. A series of hands-on workshops and lectures will complete the program.
Exhibitions/Installations:
The Fashion Institute of Technology’s 2014 Art and Design Graduating Student Exhibition (May 7 – 22) will feature the work of more than 800 students receiving AAS and BFA degrees from the School of Art and Design and will be on view at several venues on campus.
AIA Design Award winner, SPaN Architecture for the Calvin Klein Collection
AIA New York’s annual Design Awards winning projects will be on display at the Center for Architecture throughout the week. The program recognizes outstanding architectural design by New York City architects and work in New York City by registered architects practicing anywhere in the world. The purpose of the awards program is to honor the architects, clients and consultants who have achieved design excellence.
MAD Museum will host a series of Studio visits (May 10, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.), featuring makers from MAD’s upcoming summer exhibition, “NYC Makers: The MAD Biennial,” which will spotlight the creative communities thriving across the five boroughs today through the work of 100 makers.
Herman Miller Shell Chairs
The Herman Miller Collection will open its NYCxDesign Pop Up Shop, which will include new designs from BassamFellows, Todd Bracher and Studio 7.5 as well as reissues from the Herman Miller archive including recently reformulated Greenguard Gold-Certified Eames Molded Fiberglass Shell Chairs and new ebony on ash Eames Lounges and Ottomans. (May 18, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
International design firm Yabu Pushelberg will present an exhibition of its furniture and object design (May 17 – 19) at the Swiss Institute. The exhibition will highlight a more personal, subjective side of designers and partners George Yabu and Glenn Pushleberg who are world-renowned for their work in the luxury hospitality and retail sectors, including recent projects for London Edition, Barney's New York, Park Hyatt New York, and Waldorf Astoria Beijing.
Store/Showroom events:
Guests are invited to join Chad Phillips, Joe Doucet, Kiel Mead and Nora Wolf in celebrating NYCSCL’s third anniversary at Louie and Chan for a design dance party. (May 15, 10:00 – 11:30 p.m.)
MACHINEMADE will open its doors for a private party in its new 8,000-square-foot prototyping workshop and design studio. The opening launch party will bring together media outlets spanning design, culture and business, alongside current clients, artists, architects, designers, technologists and entrepreneurs at the forefront of their fields. RSVP is required to attend. (May 15, 6:00 – 10:30 p.m.)
Woven Accents invites guests to "be inspired" while mixing and mingling with industry friends and enjoying light bites and cocktails. This is a private event, by invitation only. (May 15, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)
Materia Designs furniture
Materia Designs, a boutique furniture, lighting and interiors firm, will host an opening “RECOMPOSITION” in celebration of their New York Design Week debut. Champagne and hors d’oeuvres will be served. (May 15, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.)
NYLOFT and Bazzeo are opening their doors to designers, visitors, media and all NYC design fans for a casual evening gathering with champagne and light bites. (May 16 – 20, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. daily)
Duravit will host an ICFF kick off party at its Madison Avenue showroom. Guests are invited to have a drink with the Duravit USA team, including President Tim Schroeder, and mingle with the design community as the busy weekend begins. (May 16, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.)
Join Atelier Courbet for an afternoon inside the workshop with the Japanese Master Craftsmen of Kyoto. Yusuke Matsabayashi, 16th generation of the revered ceramicist family Asahiyaki, will preform tea ceremony. Taka Kaikado, 6th generation of the master craftsmen, will hand engrave his tea caddie pieces for clients. Shuji Nakagawa, third generation craftsman of woodworking will create limited edition table accessories. New works, including Nakagawa’s hand crafted cypress indigo stained dining table, will debut. (May 17, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.)
The Poltrona Frau Group including Cappellini, Cassina and Poltrona Frau will host a preview of their new 2014 collections at each of their Soho showrooms. (May 17, press preview 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. and cocktail reception at 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.)
Surya's Modern Craft collection
Bobby Berk Home and Design Milk invite guests to celebrate the launch of Surya’s ‘Modern Craft’ collection and their debut at ICFF. RSVP for this event. (May 17, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.)
Blu Dot will present its newest designs for 2014. (May 18, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.)
Fritz Hansen and designer Jaime Hayon invite guests to the North American launch of the Analog Table and the Re-launch of the Drop Chair by Arne Jacobsen. Cocktails will be served. (May 18, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.)
Foscarini and Diesel Living will celebrate the launch of its new and innovative lighting collection at Spazio Soho. (May 17, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.)
B&B Italia will host guests to preview the latest furniture collections by Antonio Citterio and Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby. Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served. (May 17, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.)
SUITE NY will host a breakfast and Q&A panel featuring Kelly Behun, Craig Bassman, Scott Fellows, Mark Albrecht, Judy Smilow and Wendy Goodman, all discussing the topic of “American Made.” (May 19, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.)
PLOUM loveseat by Ligne Roset
Ligne Roset will celebrate the launch of the new PLOUM loveseat and low back styles by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec at their SoHo store. Light appetizers and cocktails will be served. (May 19, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.)
Kartell and Claudio Luti invite guests to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the iconic Bourgie lamp by Ferruccio Laviani with a party in honor of new interpretations of the lamp by Pharrell, Snarkitecture, Rafael de Cardenas, assume vivid astro focus, Kelly Wearstler, Nendo, Philippe Starck, Patricia Urquiola, Tokujin Yoshioka, Mario Bellini, Piero Lissoni, Front, Alberto Meda, Christophe Pillet, Lenny Kravitz, Eugeni Quitllet, Patrick Jouin, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba and Rodolfo Dordoni. (May 19, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.)
Alessi invites guests to celebrate with the award-winning designer Giulio Iacchetti and preview the new spring/summer introductions. A special window display highlighting the Alessi Research Lab exhibition at WantedDesign will also be on view. (May 19, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.)
Artemide will host as VIP book singing with Karim Rashid to celebrate their 10 years of collaboration. (May 19, 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.)
Bisazza will celebrate its new collections by Paola Navone, Marcel Wanders and Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel with a cocktail reception. (May 19, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.)
Lectures/Panel Discussions, Educational Classes, Workshops & Tours:
Times Square hotels on the tour
Explore three recently revamped Times Square hotels and see how they are employing high-end art and innovative design. Starting at citizenM New York, hotel partner Noreen Chadha will lead participants through this modern European boutique hotel’s approach to integrating design and art into every aspect of the hotel. At Paramount Hotel, designer Will Meyer of Meyer Davis Studio will share about the historic hotel’s renovation history from Philippe Starck’s redesign to the imagination of the entire hotel from the guest rooms to the lobby to the event space. The tour ends at Hyatt Times Square with architect Peter Pelsinski of SPAN Architecture, discussing how the firm mined New York both thematically and literally for local designers, fabricators and materials for this international hotel chain to create a distinctive NYC space. (May 10, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.)
The “Design Process” class will provide students with the right tools and mindset to think beyond the linear process of problem solving and achieve innovative and thought-provoking results. It provides one with the critical skills needed to generate a conceptual solution for a problem. (May 14, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.)
Guests are invited to join Annie Block, Deputy Editor of Interior Design Magazine, for “MORE THAN TEXTILE,” a conversation with Masataka Hosoo, 12th Generation Master of Japanese most revered textile workshop, House of Hosoo, and collaborating artist-designer Anna Karlin. Block will help to bridge a dialogue between traditional Japanese weaving techniques and savoir-faire, with the modern textile and contemporary design. (May 18, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.)
Paul Makovsky
The Waterweavers exhibition includes the work of several designers who are dedicated to the creation and promotion of sustainably designed furniture, textiles, and functional objects, many of them made by indigenous craftspeople from Latin America. The “Design for a Better World” panel discussion moderated by design writer Paul Makovsky will explore design philosophies and approaches to ethical design, reducing consumption of non-renewable resources, and creating healthy, sustainable environments. (May 20, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.)
Numerous other panel discussions and lectures will take place during WantedDesign, the Collective Design Fair, ICFF and other shows. Check the websites for a complete schedule.
Charity Events:
Libby Langdon
The International Furnishings and Design Association’s (IFDA) second annual “Take A Seat” charity auction features one-of-a-kind chairs created by designers including Betsey Johnson, Nicole Gibbons, Karim Rashid and Justin Shaulis. Attendees will have a chance to bid on the chairs and proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity. Interior designer Libby Langdon will MC and cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served throughout the evening. (May 14, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.)
The Center for Active Design in Soho will host its first annual fundraiser and awards reception to recognize innovative design that promotes health. “Celebrate Active Design” will unite designers, architects, planners, developers, city agencies, policy makers and health professionals with a shared vision of improving health through the built environment. The winning projects reflect the growing national and international interest in this new design movement and will be on display. (May 19, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.)
Additional events and information including dates, times, addresses and maps are all available on the NYCxDesign website. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP or register for events online.
