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Showing posts with label swiss design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label swiss design. Show all posts

The Helvetica Hotel, From Soap To Signage - And A Little History.




For an independent study, Jung Hwan (Albert) Son, a senior communication design student at Parsons the New School for Design, decided to create and brand a hip and trendy hotel - inspired by the Helvetica font. Below are the elements he designed for his concept of the Helvetica Hotel.


Room keys, signage, wall clocks and stationary:






Toiletries, hangers and minibar items:









The clean sans serif font has been a favorite of designers since its inception, used for many recognizable logos and even inspiring a full length film.



History of Helvetica:
The Helvetica font was developed by Max Miedinger with Edüard Hoffmann in 1957 for the Haas Type Foundry in Münchenstein, Switzerland and quickly became an international hit in the graphic arts world. With its clean, smooth lines, it reflected a modern look that many designers were seeking. At a time when many European countries were recovering from the ravages of war, Helvetica presented a way to express newness and modernity.



“First learn a proper trade.” These were the words with which Max Miedinger’s father put an end to the debate on the future career of his 16-year-old son, who longed to become a painter. Instead, in the autumn of 1926, Miedinger junior began an apprenticeship as a type setter with the Zurich printing company Jacques Bollmann. Four years later, he knew for certain: “I want to be a designer, not spend the rest of my life fiddling with columns of type in galleys”. Evening classes with Johann Kohlmann at the Zurich School of Arts and Crafts confirmed his interest. Finally, in 1936, Max Miedinger was able to put his talent to professional use – as a typographer in the advertising studio of the Globus department store chain. There, over the ten years that followed, he created posters, newspaper advertisements, the corporate lettering and printing for in-house use.


above: just some of the brands that use Helvetica for their corporate identity (image courtesy of typophile.com)

Once Helvetica caught on, the typeface began to be used extensively in signage, in package labeling, in poster art, in advertising—in short, everywhere. Innumerable corporate logos such as those of Lufthansa, Bayer, Hoechst, Deutsche Bahn, BASF and BMW use the font. Inclusion of the font in home computer systems, such as the Apple Macintosh in 1984, only further cemented its ubiquity.


above: the poster for Gary Hustwit's documentary about Helvetica.

In his own words, designer Albert Son says "Essential theme of the branding is based on the visual attributes of the typeface, which is neutral, clean, simple. As it is most beautiful when it is by itself, focus of the overall branding was on keeping everything simple and clean in terms of typography as well as use of colors. While reinterpreting essential hotel products in 'Helvetica' way, the brand also introduces bunch of unconventional items in a range of categories."

Albert Son on Behance

Books, DVDs and other Helvetica related items:







180 Degrees from Average. 51 Degrees, A New Luxury Home Development In the Swiss Alps.





51 Degrees is the first and finest resort residence in the world to offer indoor/outdoor thermal spas (supplied directly from Leukerbad’s thermal springs) in each of its 30 private homes.





The pioneering residential development is nestled in the small town of Leukerbad, its backdrop the incredible Canton of Valais. The homes on the property were designed by architect Michael Graves with interior design by Marc Michaels, and are surrounded by magical views of mountains and secret passes, wildlife and clear blue skies.



Ultimately, what makes the residences at 51 Degrees so extraordinary is what makes Leukerbad itself extraordinary: the water. Each residence at 51 Degrees has its own dedicated, unlimited supply of Leukerbad’s thermal waters, with their ideal profile of minerals designed to help restore aching muscles and organs, and revivify the careworn spirit.



The resort buildings of 51 Degrees are designed as a series of inter-connected 5-story wings: two housing 53 condominiums and the others housing a 72-key boutique hotel and a 20,000 square-foot luxury spa on the lower level. In addition to the hotel restaurant, the resort includes a semi-detached pavilion for a restaurant to be operated by a signature chef.




The guest quarters are organized along a single-loaded corridor facing the back of the site, allowing views toward the central court and swimming pools within the resort and the Alps beyond. The buildings are clad in local stone with timber detailing characteristic of the region, creating a destination that uniquely suits its stunning natural and built context.

Organic Architecture:
Spacious, slate-roofed structures of stone and timber designed by the renowned architect Michael Graves are reminiscent of Switzerland’s iconic chalets and rise from a base of boulders into staggered, private, four-story homes.




above: renderings from Michael Graves & Associates

The residences incorporate wood beams and glass, encircled with private terraces and balconies which open onto the three great surrounding mountains, the Daubenhorn, the Balmhorn and the Torrenthorn.






Each is equipped with indoor/outdoor fireplaces, wrap around terraces, private elevators, folding glass walls, Gaggenau appliances, private heated parking and decorated with the most luxurious materials including bronze, wool, leather, and rustic wood.







Three Different Sample Floor Plans:




Careful thought has gone into each residence, the floor-plans ensuring that maximum use is made of both the light and spectacular views surrounding the homes. Each apartment will feature a wrap around balcony, enticing the mountains into your living space day and night.

Included in or around the development are a Residents Club, branded boutiques, a wine bar, a game room, a restaurant and lounge by The Ginza Project, a fitness studio, a ski valet, The Banya Experience Spa and Children's Club.

Promotional Video:


For more information or to inquire about purchasing property, visit 51 Degrees Spa Residences

The Victorinox Tomo. New Sweet Swiss Army Knives by Kazuma Yamaguchi.





Victorinox, best known for their classic Swiss Army Knives, teamed up with Abitax founder Kazuma Yamaguchi in Tokyo to design an exclusive new pocket knife available in seven colors.







The Victorinox Swiss Army Tomo, meaning friend in Japanese, introduces a slimmer case and package. This small companion combines renowned design from Japan with Swiss precision and quality.






The packaging for Tomo is also different than that of their traditional pocket knives, it is made of 100% recycled and reusable paper pulp.




A specially designed leather case for TOMO is also available:


This small companion is earth friendly, fitting perfectly with Victorinox Swiss Army’s ecological philosophy.

$24 USD. Buy them here.

The design and packaging are the work of Japanese designer Kazuma Yamaguchi. His designs are just as useful as they are aesthetically appealing and are available for purchase from design shops under the design label ABITAX. Below is a video of Yamaguchi explaining the design process.



Victorinox Tomo

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