FLOR has been bringing high-end area rugs to homes, offices, and every space in between since 2003. This year, the brand is celebrating 20 years of easy-to-install, responsibly sourced carpet tiles that are customizable in design and engineered for high-traffic spaces – from family rooms to conference rooms. FLOR has been partnering with the ECONYL® brand for over a decade, relying on its regenerated nylon as a key material in its rugs. Made of 100% waste and infinitely regenerable, ECONYL® is a key ingredient in helping FLOR meet its sustainability goals without sacrificing quality or performance. It also provides up to 90% reduction in global warming impact when compared with nylon made from oil – seems like the obvious choice.

One of the first carpet brands to use ECONYL®, FLOR has been converting their pre-existing products to the material and lowering their carbon footprint ever since. Today, most of the brand’s rugs are manufactured using ECONYL® regenerated nylon, turning waste into beautiful new collections that do good for you and the environment.

“Like the yarns used in our rugs, our journey to sustainability is woven into who we are. Aquafil’s ECONYL® yarn has helped us lower the carbon footprint of our rugs, an important part of our strategy to go beyond doing less harm, and actively benefit our environment,” shared James Pope, General Manager at FLOR. “As we celebrate our 20th anniversary this year, we are also looking ahead to the next 20 years as we will continue to release products that showcase our commitment to design and innovation.”

Off the Record, Eggnog

In honor of its 20th anniversary, the brand has launched the Heritage Collection by FLOR, bringing three classic styles out of the vault for a modern refresh using ECONYL® yarn. Individually inspired by the Art Deco era, the groovy 60s, and a classic handwoven style, the trio has been responsibly redesigned, modernized, and re-released. The timeless styles are looking better than ever, while being good to the Earth.

Woven in Time, Jute

“We’re excited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of FLOR, one of the first brands to embrace ECONYL® nylon in their designs,” said Franco Rossi, President of Aquafil USA. “FLOR is committed to making luxury carpets more sustainable and found an ideal ingredient in ECONYL® nylon to achieve their ambitious goals. We are honored to work with FLOR and show the world that sustainable design does not have to sacrifice beauty and luxury.”

Good Company, Black

Over the last two decades, FLOR has hit important milestones, allowing customers to design without limits, restrictions, or waste. “Our team at FLOR could not be prouder of the last 20 years and the many milestones we’ve achieved to get to where we are today,” said Pope. “We launched the brand in 2003 to offer customers an area rug solution that doesn’t compromise [on] style, functionality, or the planet. While we continue to evolve and grow as a brand, we commit to making product that will leave a lasting impression on our customers for the next 20 years while still being good to Earth.”

To learn more about ECONYL® and what it can do for your brand, visit econyl.com/interiordesign.

Woven in Time, Marsh

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she’s likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.

When a designer known for having a specific panache with color and pattern collaborates with a design house known for creating mass-loved paint colors and wallpapers, you know the results are going to be exceptional. Such is the case with Carte Blanche, a new collection by designer Christopher John Rogers in collaboration with Farrow & Ball. The collaboration consists of four foundational neutrals, eight vibrant shades, and three statement-making wallpaper prints, each of them beautiful in their own way.

Even if you’ve seen hundreds of paint swatches before, we have a hunch these new hues will excite your eyes. Rogers, who is inspired by a wide range of creative sources, from artist Ellsworth Kelly to airport decor, turned to his childhood memories of food and family to create the 12 shades.

Every designer, creative, and design enthusiast knows that finding just the right color for a space can be painstakingly hard. With Carte Blanche, the search is now much easier. Below, the shades are described by the designer and design house themselves:

Hog Plum: A muddy yellow reminiscent of the sweet and sour fruit found across Central America and the Southern States.

Roasted Macadamia: favorite among The Squirrels, this soft neutral is named after the nut of a similar shade.

Shallot: A cheerful pink that takes its name from a sweeter member of the allium family widely used in Cajun cuisine.

Romesco: A rich, brilliant red evocative of the classic Spanish sauce, which also doubles as a favorite makeup shade.

Cardamom: A rich brown inspired by the warming, versatile spice used in dishes around the world.

Raw Tomatillo: This joyful and verdant green is inspired by the fried green tomatoes made by a beloved grandmother.

Lobster: A vibrant, lively blue that takes its name from the popular Louisiana catch.

Sardine: This silver blue takes its name from a favorite afternoon snack of a much loved grandfather.

Au Lait: This soft white is inspired by the chicory coffee popular in New Orleans, often served with steamed milk.

Licorice: This deep black is that of the classic sweet created using the root of the plant from which it takes its name.

Blue Maize: This deep blue is inspired by the unique hue of corn popular in Mexico and the Southern States.

Pea Flower Tea: A vivid blue, this shade is named after the brightly colored drink created by infusing petals from butterfly pea flowers.

For the graphic wallpapers, he was inspired by shapes from his own work, Bauhaus textiles, and one of Farrow & Ball’s timeless stripe designs. Each of the three wallpaper designs come in four different colorways using the colors from the Carte Blanche palette, creating a seamless collection that will translate effortlessly on blank walls.

Dot

Check

Stripe

For more information on the Carte Blanche collection, visit farrow-balk.com.

As the Senior Contributing Editor, Vy Yang is obsessed with discovering ways to live well + with intention through design. She’s probably sharing what she finds over on Instagram stories. You can also find her at vytranyang.com.

The World Health Organization reports 99% of people living in urban areas are exposed to air quality levels that exceed safe daily limits. That means me, you, and everyone we know are breathing unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide regularly when doing the most mundane of tasks. Indoor air purifiers are becoming an essential home health appliance, giving us the ability to counteract environmental pollution. But what about those times when you’re out and about? Studio Symbiosis’ solution takes a communal approach with VERTO, a 360-degree, multi-directional air purification system designed to improve air quality while breathing outdoors.

Studio Symbiosis named their tessellated patterned tower of cleaning power concept after the word for ‘to turn’ in Greek and Latin, and indeed the 5.5-meter tall tower was designed utilizing computational fluid dynamics to optimize the purification surface area and maximum the amount of clean air it outputs. By chance, computational models optimized to clean the air also resulted in a subjectively elegant latticed tower architecture, improving the chances of public acceptance.

“Simulation studies were conducted to attain minimum resistance and maximum surface area to achieve this optimum design. An elliptical geometry has been designed as the starting point, as this gave us the minimum resistance. The form was further developed by twisting the form, this twist in geometry channels the wind along the surface of the tower in the z direction, thereby exponentially increasing the surface area.”

Outdoor air filters already exist and serve in limited capacity to improve “outdoor” areas like underground subway stations. But filtering air in the wide open presents a challenging problem compared to that handled by an interior or partially outdoor air purification system. Optimal filtration requires a consistent and strong air exchange through a filtering membrane; inside a sealed room, that flow can be consistently controlled by air speed. But outdoors even a breeze outside can alter air quality dramatically.

VERTO tackles this problem with a 360-degree design to create a difference in temperatures and pressures between the air that comes in and the air coming out, resulting in a loop around the tower that pulls warm air toward the tower. Once pulled into the VERTO, a filtering membrane removes fine airborne particulate with a diameter of 10 microns or less (PM10), down to 2.5 microns or less in diameter (PM2.5) before exhaling the cleansed air.

VERTO has already been working to improve air quality for more than a year now for a select and fortunate few in New Delhi’s Sunder Nursery Park.

Just like a decent home air purifier, the VERTO is equipped with a variable fan set to adjust speed and energy use according to air pollution levels. The fine filter membrane is partially recyclable, requiring a replacement every six to nine months.

Taking a page from the IKEA playbook, VERTO’s glass fiber reinforced concrete panels are designed to be shipped in flat pack form for eventual modular assembly on-site.

Studio Symbiosis Aũra Hive tower concept proposed in 2019 is essentially the VERTO scaled to enormous proportions – 60-meter tall air towers engineered to purify 30 million cubic meters of air each day. That is enough to improve the air quality for a half a million people within its periphery.

Studio Symbiosis is far from going it alone in their pursuit to bring outdoor air filtration to the masses, especially in countries like India where well over a million deaths every year are attributed to poor air quality. China constructed the world’s largest air purifier to help reduce smog levels at a scale that dwarfs VERTO. Similar to VERTO, Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde designed the Smog Free Tower [shown below] after living in both China and India.

While laudable, common sense dictates corporations and countries alike would be best advised to invest in reducing pollution sources before installing outdoor air filtration devices on every corner, noting an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.

Morris Adjmi, founder and principal of Morris Adjmi Architects, has found the sweet spot between traditional and contemporary architecture that delights both forward-thinking developers and history-minded preservationists. What Morris is best at is revitalizing post-industrial neighborhoods and historic districts with architecture that bridges the past and the present. MA specializes in interpreting the forces that shape cities to create buildings that may not feel like they’ve always been there, but like they should have always been.

Morris’s passion for historic and industrial architecture was formed by the cast-iron French Quarter balconies and Creole cottages in his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. “Growing up, I spent countless hours drawing the buildings, balconies, and ornate ironwork of the French Quarter,” he reminisced. “However, when I started my formal studies at Tulane, I came to understand that the city’s diverse and distinct buildings, as much as I loved them, belonged to a specific moment in time and were part of the city’s history.”

It was a pivotal realization that directed Morris’s philosophy moving forward. “I decided I didn’t want to imitate the buildings that I loved, but it felt essential to learn from them. So, I dedicated my thesis to investigating vernacular housing in New Orleans – Creole cottages, shotguns, townhouses – in order to find a deeper understanding of the type that went beyond historicism or style and could be used to develop an architecture that belonged to my moment in time; not just an architecture that resonated with me personally, but with twentieth-century New Orleans.”

Morris’s style was further refined in New York and Milan during a 13-year collaboration with Pritzker Prize-winning architect, Aldo Rossi. “Of all the architects I had studied up to that point, it seemed that Rossi’s sensibilities were closest to my own. When I met him I was certain of it,” Morris stated. “In 1980, I enrolled in the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies in New York, specifically to take an advanced design workshop with Aldo. I had the good fortune to not only study with him that year, but to work with him soon after on a competition project in Milan. The job was supposed to last a few weeks, but a few weeks turned into a few years, and a few years turned into a professional partnership that lasted more than a decade.”

Morris Adjmi Architects was opened in 1997, built on a foundational experience wherein Morris updated a European approach into one more fit for the modern American city. Today, his work is known for its thoughtful historical engagement, interpretation of industrial forms, and creative expression of materials. MA’s integration of tradition and innovation has created a body of work that is sometimes subtle, often bold, and always deeply imbued with a sense of place and purpose.

The architect’s love of process and personal experience have also pushed him towards art. Morris has developed a series of small sculptures over the past few years, objects shaped in clay that are then cast in bronze. “It’s a fun project that allows me use my mind and hands in a different way,” he shared.

“There’s always stimulation in art and I love to draw on that in my design process. Our office is full of Rossi’s artwork and early prototypes, as well as more contemporary pieces from my personal collection,” Morris said. “To keep our space fresh and dynamic, MA’s Manhattan office has served as a space for rotating art exhibitions for the past 10 years or so, showcasing the work of painters, photographers, sculptors, and other artists whose ideas resonate with the firm’s values. These exhibitions not only enrich our practice, but also create a platform for connecting clients, artists, and others to inspire collaboration and build community.”

The exhibition program evolved naturally into an established in-house Art Services department in 2019, developing and delivering art programs that respond directly to the firm’s architecture and interior designs. It’s been catching on, and MA recently delivered significant art programs for two large multifamily projects: Front & York in Dumbo, Brooklyn and The Asher in Tampa [Florida]. There’s also something in the works for The Huron in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Today, Morris Adjmi joins us for Friday Five!

Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield, Massachusetts Photo:: Universal Images Group North America LLC / Alamy Inc.

1. Shaker Design

In a fast-paced world driven by excess and instant gratification, Shaker design reminds me of the value of restraint and mindful consumption. Their furniture, architecture, and products showcase simplicity, economy, proportion, and honesty, blending both modern and traditional elements while remaining durable and timeless. Despite their minimalistic approach, Shaker pieces exude warmth and depth, telling a story and inviting us to appreciate the beauty of simple, thoughtful design. The design is minimal yet imbued with love and soul, reflecting qualities we should strive to create and live with.

2. Books

My fondest memories as a teenager are sitting in my room listening to music and reading an encyclopedia. My appreciation for reading books has only grown. I love all kinds of books – fresh books that smell like ink and transport us to another world. Or the musty ones found at a neighborhood shop that are filled with picture plates tipped in. Books provide an escape but also a way to connect to others. A favorite of mine will always be The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

3. Music

Music has the ability to transport us to a different time through memories of past listens or place/space through the music itself. For me, listening can be passive or active but it’s always therapeutic. I appreciate a wide range of music from ambient to punk to R&B to opera. An album that’s never left the rotation is The Velvet Underground & Nico.

Marlon Mullen + CJ Chueca Photo: Morris Adjmi

4. Art

Art is a constant inspiration for my architecture and a stimulus for thought and research. What I love about art is that it’s immediate and reflects who we are now and provides a way to connect us. Art is more and more reflecting our social consciousness, which is a good thing but in the end it’s still about beauty. Our office is filled with art, including pieces from my personal collection, such as the Marlon Mullen and C.J. Chueca works shown here.

Perth Amboy Factory Photo: Morris Adjmi

5. Industrial Landscapes

Industrial landscapes always excite me – whether in a Becher photograph or seen from a window, like this factory I captured through a train window while passing through Perth Amboy, New Jersey. I love the history; the forms inspired by production and engineered for efficiency. I also love that these landscapes have transcended their original purpose. Sometimes active and sometimes fallow with nature reclaiming her space, I find them to be beautiful, nostalgic, and poetic.

Work by Morris Adjmi Architects:

30 East 31st Photo: Selvon Ramsawak

Asher – ROOST Tampa Photo: Matthew Williams

The Huron Rendering Credit: Redundant Pixel

Front & York Photo: Nicole Franzen

This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she’s likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.

Located near the town of Roscoe in the Western Catskill Mountains of New York, the Fremont House seamlessly integrates into its natural surroundings. Tucked away amidst the trees, it’s the embodiment of responsible living and a testament to the power of sustainable design. Spanning 1,000 square feet, the Fremont House is a 100% off-grid masterpiece designed by architect Marc Thorpe. The minimalist cabin is not your average home – it’s a harmonious blend of nature and technology.

The boxy black house isn’t Thorpe’s first off-the-grid cabin. In 2019, he unveiled The Edifice, a modern cedar cabin that’s about half the size of the Fremont. The newer build offers two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room, dining space, kitchen, storage, utility room, and a small terrance. The layout allows for the separation of public and private spaces with the bedrooms located on the top floor.

One of the standout features of the Fremont House is its 100% solar power setup. Marc Thorpe’s vision was to create an affordable contemporary home that relies on integrated sustainable technology. In a world where our energy consumption is increasingly unsustainable, this house stands as a shining example of self-reliance and environmental responsibility. As Thorpe says, “The Fremont House is an architecture of responsibility and respect for our environment and ourselves.”

Thorpe believes in taking control of our energy consumption by generating our power sustainably. He’s not just building a house – he’s constructing a better future. This future is defined by quality, not quantity, and it’s about living in harmony with nature. It’s about leaving a legacy for our children and future generations.

Sliding glass doors lead to an open living space that houses a living room with a gray sectional sofa and a simple kitchen with an island serving as the home’s dining area.

A curated selection of furniture and furnishings creates a stylish yet comfortable atmosphere that doesn’t detract from the surrounding forest views.

Photography by Marco Petrini.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

Just in time to give your homes a refresh for holiday gatherings, Minneapolis-based furniture and accessories brand Blu Dot has unveiled its new Fall 2023 collection. From minimalist lights to sculptural dining tables, innovative step stools to wardrobe systems, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking to completely overhaul your dining room or just add a simple wall hook for some extra storage.

Of the new collection, Co-Founder and CEO John Christakos shared:

This time of year is always fun for us as we bring designs we have carefully crafted and fussed over out into the world. There is nothing better than creating things – from sketches to prototypes to the real thing – and nothing better still than sharing what you have created with others. From the sculptural form and juicy materials of the 4/4 Table, to the pure ( and stylish!) practicality of Garden Party, down to our colorful accessories, these new designs are welcome additions to Blu Dot’s award-winning body of work.

There are 20 new collections in Blu Dot’s Fall release, and this doesn’t even include extended product lines and new color/fabric options for existing products! While we love each piece, a few of our favorites would have to be…

The Jut Step Stool, for its peculiar side profile and tonal stained solid beech wood.

The Garden Party Wardrobe System, which provides a minimalist way to store and display your beloved garments.

The Hilla Small Table Lamp, because Christakos, in addition to overseeing the entire Fall collection, lead the design for this particular fixture.

The Clove Wall Hooks, for their simplicity and curated colors.

The Aside Storage Ladder, for its modern take on the ubiquitous wooden ladder used for storing blankets or displaying magazines.

And the 4/4 48″ Round Dining Table, because a beautiful round table is actually hard to find! This one checks off our list for its Carrara marble surface and its base formed by four pillars.

Hunker Bed

Garden Party Wardrobe System

Close Encounter Swivel Lounge Chairs

To see the full Fall 2023 Collection from Blu Dot, visit bludot.com.

This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!

As the Senior Contributing Editor, Vy Yang is obsessed with discovering ways to live well + with intention through design. She’s probably sharing what she finds over on Instagram stories. You can also find her at vytranyang.com.

Swedish soundsmiths Nocs went unapologetically big with their initial monolithic speaker design, a handmade minimalist ode to music realized in a blackened birch plywood cabinet, powered by a Class-D amplifier, and an array of 3.5-inch full range drivers and 6-inch dual vented woofers. The unique three-over-two arrangement resulted in an enormous presence both aurally and physically, with something we’d describe as a Batman+boombox aesthetic. Nocs Lab’s followup, the Nocs Mini, sets out to attain a similar presence and retain a familiar design language but at a more modest (and affordably priced) scale.

“We were driven to preserve the Nocs Studio sound within a smaller unit,” explains Nocs Founder, Daniel Alm. “In the process, we encountered several challenges: For example how do we maintain a solid bass response within this ultra-compact frame? The answer lay in our decision to choose a subwoofer module with a passive radiator over the conventional vented design – a choice that defines Mini’s distinct character.”

An anodized aluminum plate covering the passive radiator offered Nocs a subtle section of the speaker to embellish, featuring a perforated pixel pattern. Photo: Ion Kombokis

Photo: Ion Kombokis

The challenge required a year’s research and development before the Nocs team reached a satisfactory solution. Utilizing the same technical platform as their larger Monolith audio system, the Mini is equipped with a pair of Scan Speak drivers and bolstered on the low end by a custom tuned subwoofer module. The two over sub layout is powered by a 110 watt Class-D amplifier housed within the CNC’ed MDF cabinet measuring 10.6 x 9 x 3.9 x 4.1 inches.

Photo: Daniel Alm

The Mini may be smaller, but it is designed to be a prolific presence if you desire to use them in multitude. Up to eight Minis can be connected for multi-room playback/wireless stereo, including mix-and-match setups integrating the original and larger Monolith with a single or multitude of Minis all conjoined using the Nocs app.

Just like its big brother, the Monolith, the Mini supports Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Bluetooth 5.0 (Apple AirPlay 2 support is in the works). Photo: Daniel Alm

In the effort to make a more sustainable product, Nocs made the decision to move their manufacturing from China back to Sweden and Europe, most notably in Estonia where speaker manufacturing is a well-established industry. Additionally, the speaker was designed with modular components that can be repaired and upgraded one part at a time, leaving the majority of the unit aesthetically intact.

The Mini features Sorbothane damping pads at the base to curb unwanted vibrations even at the highest volumes. Photo: Ion Kombokis

The Nocs Mini will be available for pre-order for $750, and will begin shipping orders the first week of October.

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.

Sierra Towers is a minimalist residence located in Los Angeles, California, designed by Lauri Design Studio. The project bears testimony to a harmonious balance between the serene principles of wabi-sabi and the refined nature of modernism. The space intertwines natural components and carefully curated art pieces, as well as highlights workmanship in every detail of the residence.

The incorporation of wood elements brings a warm undertone to the interiors, supplemented by Moroccan wool rugs and plush seating arrangements that beckon guests to unwind. Central to the home’s allure is the primary bedroom, a haven of peace with artworks by Ballesteros and Baas, enhancing the tranquil ambiance.

Among the residence’s highlight features are custom furniture pieces designed by Jenni Lauri herself, including a primary bed that exudes luxury and comfort. This centerpiece, along with a custom travertine dining table, infuses the space with a subdued charisma. Adding to this, vintage dining chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa and a modern chandelier by Apparatus Studio contribute to a dining room that is both modern and timeless.

Leo Lei translates his passion for minimalism into his daily-updated blog Leibal. In addition, you can find uniquely designed minimalist objects and furniture at the Leibal Store.

When tasked with designing a new office for a staff of 70 young and dynamic employees at Esalco Logistics, Istanbul-based OSO Architecture wanted the design to reflect the characteristics of the office’s inhabitants. Using color and a touch of playfulness, the office floor plan encourages in-office communication and interaction with spaces carved out for games, sport, entertainment, and impromptu meetings. Thematic signage and elements found throughout reflect the company’s line of business in the logistics sector, creating a connection between the office and the corporate identity.

Employees and visitors are greeted by the front desk designed to resemble a shipping container. On the floor and throughout the office, road markings convey a sense of direction in a playful way.

A yellow beam holds various elements for both play and productivity, including a set of swings, a bell, signage with the company’s name, a small desk, and a punching bag. This “median strip” is also outlined in the road markings below.

Colored glass visually separates the various meeting rooms, all of which feature logistical elements like road markings, walls that look like containers, and thematic writings.

A communal room continues the same color palette and offers a reprieve from the day’s work.

Photography by Gürkan Akay.

As the Senior Contributing Editor, Vy Yang is obsessed with discovering ways to live well + with intention through design. She’s probably sharing what she finds over on Instagram stories. You can also find her at vytranyang.com.

Burkinabé multidisciplinary artist and designer Hamed Ouattara’s first American solo show – Bolibana – is currently on exhibit at Friedman Benda. Known as one of the most prominent voices in contemporary African design, Ouattara’s new body of high-design work has been unveiled in a residential setting in the Hollywood Hills. In the Bamana language of West Africa, ‘Bolibana’ refers to the unusual end to a journey, or a transformation. Ouattara is known for upcycling discarded industrial materials – like his signature oil drums – into colorful art that uses the debris to tell the end to the story of waste and global trade.

Ouattara’s work combines the spirits of artisanal and industrial to create a culturally significant and visually striking result, questioning the disposability and reimagining the possibilities of material and design. Throughout the Bolibana exhibition, he celebrates traditional techniques and craft, with each work’s accumulated patina telling a story of its past.

Afrika

Ouattara approached the work in two ways – first by focusing on the reuse of waste from the increasingly industrialized Burkina Faso, and second by re-engaging with the craft and knowledge that’s been lost due to these same changes. The latter drew influence from the Sudano-Sahelian architecture of mythic cities, such as Timbuktu, Djenne, and Bobo Dioulasso, marking an exploration into new territory.

Afrika

Created and repurposed entirely by hand, the pieces of Bolibana are made using indigenous and ancestral metalworking techniques. Due to a limited supply and access to resources, all hinges, nails, and tools necessary to bring these works to life were crafted in Ouattara’s workspace, Studio Hamed Ouattara.

Afrika

Founded in 2002 in Ouagadougou, the studio uses materials that highlight patterns of trade and reflect the state of local development and economy. The studio collaborates with artisans in Burkina Faso to shine a light on these issues and more, like overconsumption, use of resources, the environment, and sustainability.

Afrika

Afrika

Djeli Tradition Teller

Djeli Tradition Teller

Djeli Tradition Teller

Djeli Tradition Teller

Djeli Tradition Teller

Djeli Tradition Teller

Budu Ethnicity

Budu Ethnicity

Budu Ethnicity

Budu Ethnicity

Photo: Julian Calero Courtesy of the artist and Friedman Benda, Los Angeles

Photo: Julian Calero Courtesy of the artist and Friedman Benda, Los Angeles

Photo: Julian Calero Courtesy of the artist and Friedman Benda, Los Angeles

Photo: Julian Calero Courtesy of the artist and Friedman Benda, Los Angeles

Photo: Julian Calero Courtesy of the artist and Friedman Benda, Los Angeles

In the installation images above, you’ll note a second exhibition that coincides with Bolibana, displayed by albertz benda. The art of the late
Wassef Boutros Ghali adorns the walls of the gallery.

To learn more about Hamed Ouattara’s Bolibana solo show at Friedman Benda, visit friedmanbenda.com.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she’s likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.