Design Stories from Aotearoa: Lucy Tupu

WakaNINE and David Trubridge welcome Lucy Tupu (of Lucy Tupu Studios) to the second episode of a new chapter in the From The Edge program we are calling Design Stories from Aotearoa.

Lucy Tupu is a classically trained Industrial Designer with over 20 years of experience producing bespoke rugs, carpets, furniture and lighting. She has lived and worked in New Zealand, Australia and the United States. Lucy is influenced by her Samoan and New Zealand roots, which epitomize her trademark aesthetic of clean, sophisticated pieces with vibrant, graphic and playful touches that reflect both her cultural heritage and warm, energetic personality.

Join David and Lucy as they explore the aspects of design through the eyes of a New Zealander, including the art, culture, history, indigenous people, and the landscape of the design world today.

Design Stories from Aotearoa: Jamie McLellan of Allbirds

David Trubridge welcomes Jamie McLellan (Head of Design – Allbirds) to the first episode of a new chapter in the From The Edge program we are calling Design Stories from Aotearoa.

Jamie is a Kiwi (New Zealand) and accomplished design professional having worked in his homeland and around the world. Jamie spent his formative years in London working with Tom Dixon. Jamie is currently the Head of Design at the wildly successful Allbirds, spending time between New Zealand and San Francisco in his role. David and Jamie will explore different aspects of design, the influence of New Zealand including the art, culture, history, indigenous people, and the landscape.

One lucky attendee at this webinar will win a pair of ALL BIRDS shoes of their choice.

Episode 8: Richard Taylor & The Scientific Proof of Biophilic Design // PART 2

Professor Richard Taylor appeared on FROM THE EDGE last year to great acclaim so we have brought him back to further the discussion. Richard continues to push the boundaries on the study of natural fractals and patterns. His work is leading edge and has direct application to interior design and enabling designers to integrate nature into spaces. Richard’s work supports “bringing nature indoors” to provide environments that support health and wellness. Check out Richard Taylor & The Scientific Proof of Biophilic Design // PART 1 here.

Episode 7: Francesca Bastianini & The Art, Science and Social Responsibility of Architectural Lighting Design

This week’s guest is Francesca Bastianini, co-founder and principal of the Brooklyn based architectural lighting design practice, Sighte Studio. Francesca folds education, research and community engagement into her practice. Drawing on her background in theatre and psychology, Francesca’s design work is attentive to people’s interaction with space, considering both an individual’s well-being and their aesthetic experience. She is the outgoing President of the Designers Lighting Forum of NY and teaches Graduate Lighting students in the School of Constructed Environments at Parsons the New School for Design. Francesca was named one of Lighting Magazines 40 under 40 in 2016 and once again as a member of the North American class in 2018. She is the USA Ambassador for Women In Lighting, an inspirational digital platform that profiles women working in the field of lighting design from over 60 countries across the globe.

Episode 6: Richard Taylor & The Scientific Proof of Biophilic Design

Professor Taylor is an academic expert in chaos theory, fractals and the relationship between art &science. At the University of Oregon, he is a Professor of physics, psychology and art as well as the director of the Materials Science Institute. Richard’s research focuses on “bio-inspiration” in which artificial systems benefit from using nature’s patterns (fractals and chaos). His two biggest projects are 1) Using bio-inspired retinal implants to restore vision to victims of retinal diseases and 2) Using bio-inspired fractal images to reduce people’s stress levels. He uses computer analysis to study and authenticate art works and Richard is considered the leading expert on the artist Jackson Pollock. He also looks a little bit like Robert Plant…hey, hey mama!

Episode 5: Danu Kennedy & What’s Next for Hospitality

Danu has a Bachelor of Design in Interior Architecture and a Masters in Architecture from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. Upon completion of her education Danu moved to New York City in 2011 and began her career in residential Design and Architecture for David Howell Design while also developing independent projects, most notably the New York City based cafe Happy Bones as well as retail and residential spaces. In 2014, Danu joined the Parts and Labor Design team. As Design Director, she is deeply involved in all aspects of the firm, overseeing daily operations and projects alongside co-founders Andrew and Jeremy.

Episode 4: Laura Britt & The New Home Office

Recognized as an industry leader in health and wellness design for the workplace and home, Laura Britt heads one of the region’s most successful and versatile full-service interior design firms. Ms. Britt, a registered interior designer, also holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Texas School of Architecture with an emphasis in sustainability. In addition to managing her design practice, she founded her own American-made, modern furniture company focused on creating low-emitting healthy furnishings for use in commercial and residential settings. Previously in her career, she successfully managed and designed large-scale commercial interior design and architecture projects as the Interior Designer for the Air Force Academy. She and her firm have extensive experience in Residential, Multi-family, Student Living, Commercial Offices, Hospitality, as well as Governmental and Higher Educational projects. She currently serves on the Advisory Council for the University of Texas School of Architecture and supports education about health, wellness, and sustainability as related to the built environment. She resides in Austin, TX in a LEED Platinum certified home with her family.

Episode 3: Ghislaine Viñas & The Aesthetics of Happiness

Ghislaine Viñas is an internationally published, award winning design studio specializing in residential, hospitality and workplace interiors, product design, branding and creative direction. A strong believer in “the aesthetics of happiness”, Ghislaine Viñas launched her career designing commercial office spaces and later established her eponymous firm in 1999. Since then the studio has completed projects ranging from apartments, lofts, houses and estates to offices, hospitality and private yachts. Ghislaine Viñas has become a force in the product design industry, due to their innate understanding of the community’s design trends and buying needs; established companies look to the firm to design new and exciting products, including textiles, wall-coverings and furniture. The multifaceted team works on all aspects of projects from conception to installation. Their in-house branding department provides a strong branding package as part of their offering. Ghislaine Viñas is driven daily by her passion for design, color and unique attitude towards problem solving. Her team thrives on collaboration and experimentation in conceiving design solutions for a wide range of clients.

Episode 2: Jason F. Mclennan & The Future of Living

We are excited to have Jason F. McLennan on board for an upcoming episode of From The Edge! Considered one of the world’s most influential individuals in the field of architecture and green building movement today, Jason is a highly sought out designer, consultant and thought leader around the planet.  He is the recipient of the prestigious Buckminster Fuller Prize (the planet’s top prize for socially responsible design).  He has been called the ‘Steve Jobs’ of the green building industry, a “World Changer” by GreenBiz magazine and has been selected as the Award of Excellence winner for Engineering News Record – one of the only individuals in the architecture profession to have won the award in its 52-year history.  He has been selected by Yes! Magazine as one of ‘15 people shaping the world’ and works closely with world leaders, Fortune 500 companies, leading NGO’s, major universities, celebrities and influential development companies – all in the pursuit of a world that is socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative.  Jason is an accomplished author with numerous publications. His work has been published in dozens of journals, magazines and newspapers around the world.

Episode 1: Stephen Pikus & Treasure from Trash

This week’s guest is Stephen Pikus, a South African based designer who is part environmental champion, part social advocate and part creative craftsman. Pikus works with the local community in Johannesburg creating “treasure from trash” by upcycling diesel engines from landfills and repurposing them as lighting fixtures. Stephen was raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, often accompanying his contractor father to building sites and has had a love for working with his hands ever since.  A little over a decade ago he, his wife Samantha and their first born daughter Tahlita (subsequently Mila has been added to the herd) felt the tug to sell up and volunteer for an NGO based on a farm in the beautiful hills of Limpopo province, South Africa.  An orphanage and various other community upliftment projects made up the backbone of the organization and each of these spaces needed to be made beautiful with very little budget.  There he worked with numerous talented creatives and artists and fell in love with the process – and so often challenge – of transforming “one mans’ trash into another mans’ treasure”.  After trial and (much) error, TRuK was born and a year later won the Eskom Energy Efficient Lighting Design Competition.  A few months later, in January 2015 he relocated back to Johannesburg and Green Light District was born.   A little over a year and a half later, he and his team often work with SA’s top interior designers and architects and are steadily making a name not only in the South African design industry, but have product on its way to The United States and Australia.