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Issue 64 - The 'Future' Issue

Issue 64

The 'Future' Issue

Habitus #64 Welcome to the HABITUS ‘Future’ and ‘Habitus House of the Year’ Issue. We are thrilled to have interior designer of excellence, Brahman Perera, as Guest Editor and to celebrate his Sri Lankan heritage through an interview with Palinda Kannangara and his extraordinary Ek Onkar project – divine! Thinking about the future, we look at the technology shaping our approach to sustainability and the ways traditional materials are enjoying a new-found place in the spotlight. Profiles on Yvonne Todd, Amy Lawrance, and Kallie Blauhorn are rounded out with projects from Studio ZAWA, SJB, Spirit Level, STUDIOLIVE, Park + Associates and a Lake House made in just 40 days by the wonderful Wutopia Lab, plus the short list for the Habitus House of the Year!

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Tom Dixon’s Church of Design
Design StoriesAndrew McDonald

Tom Dixon’s Church of Design

At Clerkenwell Design Week this year, British designer Tom Dixon forged an unlikely partnership with Vicar Andrew Baughen, presenting his latest lighting collections within the halls of the St James’ Church.


The extraordinary volumes, the nooks and crannies of the classic 18th century church provided a perfect, dramatic backdrop for Dixon’s newest pendant lamps and chandeliers Fade, Flask Oil, and Curve.

Pictured below, Curve is a new geometrical light that pushes the boundaries of thin sheet etched metal fabrication. With its microscopic precision-pierced surface and soft nickel silver coating Curve internally reflects and emits a filtered glow of ethereal light. Flask is a series of three pendant lights inspired by the sharp and functional geometry of chemical laboratory glassware. A cylinder, a sphere and a cone that work in mixed groups or more formal arrangements. Each comprises two components – a clear rippled glass lens which produces a series of concentric, luminous rings, and a black glass shade finished in the latest oily iridescent colour. Unfamiliar in contemporary interiors, lustre and iridescence were much prized by the ceramicists and glassmakers of the arts and crafts period. The Fade light is a blow moulded polycarbonate light cannon. Its teardrop shape focusses the lightbulb’s output into a satisfyingly round and luminous circle, acting as the ultimate oversized spotlight. The metalized finish is unusual as it graduates from completely reflective to transparent in an even fade along the body of the lamp.

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For Vicar Baughen, there was great potential to remake a unique, historic building for the local residents of Clerkenwell, and the creative workforce, and to make a place for the residential community to use as a resource. The Vicar also gave talks on the relationship between design and spirituality throughout the week. At the close of the festival, Dixon donated a Curve chandelier in the main space, the co working environment and a kitchen as permanent fixtures for the community church.

Tom Dixon
tomdixon.net/uk/

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About the Author

Andrew McDonald


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Issue 64 - The 'Future' Issue

Issue 64

The 'Future' Issue

Habitus #64 Welcome to the HABITUS ‘Future’ and ‘Habitus House of the Year’ Issue. We are thrilled to have interior designer of excellence, Brahman Perera, as Guest Editor and to celebrate his Sri Lankan heritage through an interview with Palinda Kannangara and his extraordinary Ek Onkar project – divine! Thinking about the future, we look at the technology shaping our approach to sustainability and the ways traditional materials are enjoying a new-found place in the spotlight. Profiles on Yvonne Todd, Amy Lawrance, and Kallie Blauhorn are rounded out with projects from Studio ZAWA, SJB, Spirit Level, STUDIOLIVE, Park + Associates and a Lake House made in just 40 days by the wonderful Wutopia Lab, plus the short list for the Habitus House of the Year!

Order Issue