Totem by Martín Azúa

 

By playing with the static immobility of a totem pole, the oscillating movement of a tumble and the percussion of a mortar, Martín Azúa designed this object “stabile/mobile” (word borrowed from Alexander Calder’s work): Tótem.

 

After working for many years with Azúa, Mobles 114 knew that this designer of Basque origin was the ideal person to design this piece. This renowned author has the astonishing ability to transform the materials he uses into unique objects through which shapes and nature penetrate the spaces that contain them.

 

Tótem was requested to be presented on one of the Tria shelves exhibited at the Salone del Mobile 2019 in Milan. This is a limited edition, made of American walnut tree.

This is not the first time that Azúa has designed a piece of this style. Throughout his career, the designer has created several versions of mortars and totems.

It would be interesting to investigate a little more about the obsession of the author for this type of sculptures and see why there is a continuous return to the work of this kind of objects.

Regarding the creation of Totem, Azúa has designed a collection made up of three different models that have both a decorative and a functional function: they serve as mortars to grind pigments, vegetables, seeds, and more.

 

This is not the first time Martín Azúa has worked for Mobles 114: in recent years, this Barcelona-based designer has worked several times for the brand’s catalogue, designing for example the Luco stool or the Rambla chair.

As a defender of craftsmanship, Azúa is keen to work with different materials, always respecting their characteristics and textures to highlight their origins.

Azúa preserves in his works the naturalness of materials, highlighting its properties, evolution and characteristics. Through his works, the author succeeds in introducing a part of nature into the urban environment in which most of us are immersed.

Azúa’s work is characterized by the incorporation of experimentation into the design process, often by inviting craftsmen or producers, and by demanding social reflection and respect for the craft culture in their works. Because, according to him, “craftsmanship is a quest for quality”, and this is reflected in all the author’s works.

The works of the Basque designer cover several categories: he has designed from different materials such as furniture, lighting, or objects that have a clearly identifiable identity. An own identity, which is reflected in his most functional designs, as well as in the designs of more abstract objects, full of poetry, and characterized with a refined sense of humor.

Since 2007 his project “Basic House” is part of the permanent collection of the MOMA in New York. In addition, he also exhibits several pieces of his collection at the Design Museum of Barcelona and in various public and private collections.

Martín Azúa has been recognized for his work by winning the City of Barcelona 2000 Award, the Delta de Plata 2007 Award, the FAD Architecture/Ephimeros 2008 Award, the Design Plus 2009 Award, the Interiorismo Plus 2009 Award, the AD Best Designer of the Year 2010 Award, the Delta de Plata 2011 Award / and the Best National Trajectory Award from the Interiores 2015 Magazine.

 

 

 

1987 – 2017: Mirac 30 years

Recognised as an icon thanks to its modernity, Mirac is a leading coat stand in the world of interior and general design.

30 years ago, JM Massana and JM Tremoleda were inspired by the stars to design the Mirac coat stand. The name comes from the Andromeda constellation, where Mirac is the second-brightest star.

The spiral arrangement of the spherical chrome pegs is reminiscent of the stars around the sky. This distribution means it can hold the maximum number of items in the minimum amount of room. A practical, useful, discreet and timeless coat stand.

Mirac is one of the products that embody the philosophy of Mobles 114. Discretion and elegance. A coat stand that combines perfectly with all kinds of indoor ambiences and areas and a clear example of how good design never goes out of style.

For its 30th anniversary, we’ve updated the finishes. The original version with the chrome pegs and aluminium tube is still available but we’ve added two new finishes: Mirac white with matt chrome pegs and Mirac black with black chrome pegs.

A well designed house in Madrid.

Today we visit Madrid. Specifically, a refurbished building from XX century by Swiss architecture studio Wespi de Meuron Romeo architects and Ábaton arquitectura.

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A singular-shaped duplex with gabled roof, with interior design signed by Batavia couting on the best examples of furniture design in our country.

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A space in white, with a very special architecture, where Spanish design icons are the highlights. Among others, Torres Clavé 1934 armchair, produced by Mobles 114.

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Torres Clavé can be found at the living room, adding a Mediterranean, natural flair to the atmosphere.

Pictures by Luís Asín

Mobles 114 at ICFF

New York has always something to drop by there. An interest, an activity. If you add design, it becomes the place to be for tourists, but also for fans and brands. Last May was the occasion thanks to ICFF, and Mobles 114 was there.

Technically, at NYCxDESIGN,  the event for global design in the city. Thanks to the collaboration among the city council, regional govermnment and BCD Barcelona Centro de Diseño, 15 companies related to innovation and creativity have been pioneers selected on an international opening.

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Barcelona has a distinct quality, worth to “profit and strengthen”, as Major Ada Colau said. Design and creation are these qualities.

And this has been translated there in New York, thanks also to the nomination of a number of products for  Interior Design magazine Awards, on their first-ever edition. Glad and proud to find TUBE chair designed by Eugeni Quitllet for Mobles 114.

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Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, Granada

Former Militar Hospital of Granada (Andalucia, Spain) has been transformed by architect Víctor López Cotelo into the new headquarters of the University of Architecture. A brilliant project, where respect of the old building has been connected to the comfort and practicity needed to teach and study.

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Old and ‘isolated’ modules from the ancient Hospital have been integrated in one functional unity, so as to create a modern educational center that also maintains the vernacular architecture. “A place to teach architecture in class but also by the building process”. It is a symbol of the neighbourhood and the city, where future architects will count on impressive facilities.

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Accessibility, acoustic isolation adapted, structural conservancy. Everything has been well treated. White and wood prevail. Historic spaces have been restored, for instance the chapel will be a bookshop, and library and director office will be professors’ hall.

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Mobles 114 has participated on the project furnishing classes and spaces with different Gimlet seating designed by Jorge Pensi, Pey tables and Mirac coat stands.

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Photography: Fernando Alda

Mobles 114 at Salone del Mobile Milano 2016.

The world of design focuses on Milano during April. From 12th to 16th, all the star-system brands travel to the Italian city to show all the novelties and products for the Salone del Mobile. Mobles 114 could not miss the date.

The stand designed by Stefano Colli was at Hall 10, where the best designed national and foreign was found. From a developed idea from the stand created for last edition of IMM Cologne, designed in characterised by wood and light, and of course Mobles 114 products as main elements.

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A wooden latticework divides a blank space creating two different areas, to recognise and discover Mobles 114 catalog from all points of view.

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At the entrance space, all the novelties from the last months were shown. Not to miss were new designs by Martín Azúa Luco stool and Rambla chair, Tube collection by Eugeni Quitllet and Forc coatstand by Lagranja design.

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On the other part the most recognisable designs from Mobles 114 can be enjoyed and/or rediscovered: some of the Classics and of course iconic TRIA with all its possibilities.

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Mobles 114 want to highlight also great design collaborations on our stand at Salone del Mobile.Milano Fair. Special thanks to Matèria, Teixidors, Equipaje BCN, Santa & Cole,livingthings & Apartamento.

Photography: Meritxell Arjalaguer

Mobles 114 at IMM Cologne 2016

From 18th to 24th January, Mobles 114  was part on Imm Cologne 2016 in Germany, with the support of ICEX, and cofunding from European funds FEDER, which contribute to the economic growing of the company, the region and Spain.
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For the German fair, the company has presented three novelties to add richness to the catalog, signed by some of the best designers of the international panorama: Lagranja Design, Martín Azúa y Eugeni Quitllet.
Forc, by Lagranja Design
Forc is a practical, convenient oak coat stand. The arrangement of the wooden pegs, with their smooth shapes, means they can be used to hang all kinds of garments and accessories at differing heights. This is a stable, hardwearing stand perfect for offices, restaurants and bars.
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Rambla, by Martín Azúa
Rambla is an armchair made from iron bars but it is light and stackable. With a contemporary shape, it reinterprets tradition and the most cosmopolitan Mediterranean lifestyle. It takes its conceptual inspiration from the seats used in one of the most emblematic streets in the city of Barcelona: the Rambla.
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TUBE, by Eugeni Quitllet
After its showing up in  Paris, IMM Cologne has been the launch of this first collaboration between the Catalan designer and Mobles 114.
Tube is a chair with soft shapes that confidently reaffirms its industrial origins, with lines that inspire movement, humanisation of the object and even humour. Beauty and comfort are integral to this pure design which seems to be traced in the air via a continual steel tube and polypropylene seat.
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Eugeni Quitllet, Designer of the Year at Maison et Objet Paris.

Catalan designer Eugeni Quitllet has been chosen Maison & Objet Paris Designer of the Year, so the French event celebrates an exhibition on which the best creations of him are shown.

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There you can find TUBE chair by Mobles 114, with its tubular structure mixes the vocabulary of modernity’s 20th century design.

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Continuing to produce the most direct and cutting-edge revelation of form as possible. From object to space, Eugeni Quitllet is a design maestro with a unique vision for rethinking our surroundings with ever-evolving innovation.

Eugeni Quitllet, dreamsigner of emotions

He follows an instinctive process, “I do not know why or how.” It’s that emotion that keeps him alive and encourages him  to share his achievements with everyone. To let this emotion free, he has landed in the industrial design’s world. Each object is a challenge to accomplish what others have called impossible, otherwise, a word that Quitllet never seems to use. He has been described as refreshing designer, tireless seeker and a lover of technology; although he describes himself as a “disoñador” (“dreamsigner”, designer and dreamer).

After years in Paris in your own studio designing for the best international brands, what has attracted you to come back to Barcelona?

Barcelona is an ideal place to experience and implement concepts and new solutions. It is a city with unique characteristics in the world to live, think and dream.

How was the meeting and the creative and production process with Mobles114?

A crush! We connected right away. We share design values and we have the same concept of an imaginative industry that has always existed in Barcelona.

Is it right to say that you have been specializing in one type of monoblock design? Researching the possibilities of the same material, shapes and textures, giving it a new life?

I have no boundaries or preferences in design. Each object needs a complete specialization to realize the dimension required.

It seems that  there is an intention to surprise the user, but also the industry…

Yes, it’s like a magic trick when at the end we all say, “oooh!”. What sense would have to invent an object if it’s not new!

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Tube chair is your first design for Mobles 114. What can you tell us about this collection of chairs and tables?

It’s an industrial response to a magic trick. The beauty and comfort are the basic elements we can expect from a good design, but if you don’t achieve a new challenge or if you don’t thrill ding it, then it’s not enough. Something very simple but not obvious that gives full sense to the construction of this chair is actually something invisible. It is very industrial until you look at Tube with “curious sensitivity” and discover something hidden that I invite you to discover!

Tube’s forms are soft, but  without hidden their industrial origin, with lines that encourage us talk about movement, life, humanization of the object, even humor…
It’s a chair that doesn’t want to be pretentious and hides its virtues as a part of the intention of the project, simple on the outside, clever on the inside: an animated object!

You say design has to reach another dimension because we’ve covered all the bases. What’s this dimension? And what role does the designer have in this new paradigm?

It’s emotional! something not everyone sees but feels. Besides the function, design must serve to inspire and always questioning ourselves in a positive sense. The designer plays a friend’s role; he should give life and soul to the matter.

What’ your favourite space in your studio or  in your home? And with which object you cannot imagine an ordinary day?

My window to see the world, my desk from where I daydream and a chair to think about all…

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Mobles 114 has donated iconic pieces to Museu del Disseny de Barcelona.

36 objects produced for years have been chosen due to its values as icons of design. Among others, there can be found prototypes of the Pinça (1964) ice tong, or Copenhaguen (1966) ashtray by André Ricard, and also some proposals for the oil container created by Rafael Marquina, and various editions from different years from 1961 to 1990, with a special value as unique pieces of design.

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The donation includes also some prototypes of the support for two or three oil containers. Another special design is Fil lamp (1991), designed by Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza Vieira, creator of Oporto chairs (1993) too.

 

Other remarkable objects donated by Mobles 114 are Gracia chair (2006) by JM Massana and JM Tremoleda; Green chair (2011) by Javier Mariscal, wall clock Nautilus (1996) by Oscar Tusquets, and Flod stool (2007) designed by Martín Azúa and Gerard Moliné.

Mobles 114 donation has become a highlight of the product design collection for the Museum, thanks to the value in the market or as an iconic product of the objects donated. It has increased also the prototype collection, very valuable for the Museum as a first sample from designer or company and model to be manufactured.

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Tube, a new look by Eugeni Quitllet

The design store MODA, in the center of Paris, and the Intramuros space, at Maison & Objet fair, were the two chosen places/spots where we presented Tube: a new collection of chairs designed by Eugeni Quitllet for Mobles 114.

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It was a double celebration: on Thursday 3th, MODA was celebrating its 10th anniversary with a special exhibition at the store, and the guests (professionals, architects, designers, journalists, influencers) were found a complete installation of Tube in the front of the store. On Saturday 5th, took place the official presentation of Tube, presented by Eugeni Quitllet with his usual passion and international knowledge, who captivated all: both the fans like the aesceptics.

The curious look of this tireless “dreamsigner” and a speech that reflects their own experiences, without frills or baroquisms, again amazed everyone.

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Since its launch, Tube has collected good reviews and congratulations from influencers all around the world, and national and international journalists have recognized its originality, functionality and commercial possibilities. As Anatxu Zabalbeascoa, one of the most respected Spanish journalists in the field of design, says: “(Tube) is a fearless seat. Iconic and daily chair, which has served to both (Mobles114) key producer of Catalan design -as the Torres Clavé chair for the Republic pavilion in 1937-  and  the designer -conscious but no slave of technology- step forward. Together. Both in the search of a chair which, apart from good-looking, is a comfortable seat even in the most unfavourable conditions”. (El País, 9th September 2015).

Barcelona Original Designs

Barcelona Original Designs is the first online platform to offer objects, furniture, lighting, accessories and classic or contemporary pieces designed in Barcelona, created by Olivia Ricard, Cristina Pujol and Silvia Cambra in order to offer a meeting point among designers, craftsmen and entrepreneurs from the city.

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Product selection shares the value of authentic, everlasting products, “which reminds us of whom, how and why it was created”, they explain. A thorough summary with valuable common nexus: Barcelona, function, ethics and aesthetics.

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Most noted objects are the ones signed by José Antonio Coderch, Miguel Milà, André Ricard or Rafael Marquina, masters of industrial design and authors of icons like Disa or Cesta lamps, and products such as Copenhagen ashtrays or Marquina oil dispensers, both belonging to Classics collection by mobles 114.

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The quickest and easiest way to get these common objects that are also true design icons: www.barcelonaindesign.com

Can Manuel d’en Corda, by Marià Castelló and Daniel Redolat

Architects Marià Castelló + Daniel Redolat have made an intervention in a traditional house in Formentera, transforming the preexistent building to achieve a functional program which respects the popular style typical from the island but adapted to contemporary needs and also the area: Can Manuel d’en Corda.

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The ampliation of the housing has tried to focus on the landscape, oriented actually to Es Vedrà island, the rock which characterises Eivissa’s skyline.

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The original construction maintains the public spaces such as living room, dining room, kitchen and balconies, whilst the new part is occupied by the bedrooms, and the basement embraces the laundry, winery, provisions etc. The architects worked on the volumes and materials to get the maximum of the space and the best adaptation to the environment.

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That is why the material palette is reduced, highlighting Balearic tradition: stone, concrete for the floors and wood.

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Furniture selection includes design classics such as Torres Clavé armchair edited by mobles 114, or Cesta lamp by Miguel Milà, and also traditional esparto chairs and custom-made pieces in iroko wood.

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Photography: Estudi Es Pujol de s’Era

La Ginesta library, Begues

The new cultural equipment of Begues, a village in the surroundings of Barcelona, has been designed by Calderón Folch Sarsanedas architecture studio as a 3-in-1 which emphasizes the wonderful landscape values of the site.

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A building with three different purposes: a theatre for 350 audients, a 1.260m2 public library (La Ginesta) and a community centre (El Roure), hosts a great amount of different activities and services.

A big old oak which had to be preserved gives the name to the building (Roure is oak in Catalan). The site, with a rather triangular shape, is a shore of the stream meander with the tree as a landmark, and it works as an advantage for the interiors, gaining continuous natural light.

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This is the highlight of the library, oriented to extract maximum advantage to light to make it the most comfortable for the users. To equip it Green chairs designed by Javier Mariscal have been used, and also Riga waste bins and Hulot coat stands designed by Joan Gaspar.

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El Roure has been nominee to Mies van der Rohe Award 2015.

Photography: Meritxell Arjalaguer, Calderon Folch Sarsanedas

Documentation Center at Museu del Disseny in Barcelona

Museu del Disseny is the result of merging the collections of the Museum of Decorative Arts, the Museum of Ceramics, the Museum of Textile and Clothing and the Graphic Arts Cabinet in Barcelona. It’s been the first to open its doors, whilst the Museum will be opened next December.

The Documentation Center holds more than 20.000 documents, books and specialized archives focused on different topics. Its aim is to create a richer and plural vision of design, and its relation with daily life.

The contents of the Archive are enriched thanks to the donations of institutions such as Barcelona Centre de Disseny (BCD), Associació de Directors d’Art i Dissenyadors Gràfics (ADG FAD), Associació de Disseny Industrial (ADI FAD), etc.

The center contains a Reading Room with 66 reading points. The bibliographic information service provides information about the Documentation Center, its reserves, its facilities and services, as well as assistance and advice in the search for information. Other types of requests, such as, technical consultations, dating of images or works, etcetera, are not included in this service. In these cases, the Library allows access to its documental reserves.

The Documentation Center is furnished with BBL Shelving System by mobles 114. Reading points are formed by Pey tables and Green chairs designed by Mariscal, and next to the windows there are some spaces more comfortable and relaxed furnished with Om Basic armchairs by Martín Azúa.

Museu del Disseny de Barcelona

Edifici Disseny Hub Barcelona
Pl. de les Glòries Catalanes, 37-38
08018 – Barcelona
Tel 93 256 68 00
[email protected]

www.museudeldisseny.cat/en/doc-center/general-information
@dissenydoc
www.scoop.it/t/design-exhibitions

OPENING HOURS

Tuesday-Wednesday from 10 am to 8 pm
Thursday from 3 pm to 8 pm
Friday from 10 am to 3 pm

Sant Gervasi Joan Maragall library, by BCQ Arquitectura Barcelona

The new library of Sant Gervasi-La Bonanova neighbourhood in Barcelona is placed in the building which occupies the garden of Vil·la Florida Civic Center, partially buried to maintain the identity of the project.

The project by Baena Casamor Arquitectes has been named Garden of Light, and it is shaped by “light and silence patios” and “books and knowledge patios”.


The first, surrounded by glass, light and ventilate the interior while isolating the library from the street. The second, solid prisms filled with books, are part of the supporting structure of the library.

Among the courtyards and the volumes, indoor reading and work spaces are articulated. Areas that should be small, seeking to provide a comfortable feeling of domesticity to their users.

The interior is solved easily with little textures; ceiling, floor, furniture and walls are white in general, while the face that hide concrete retaining walls and structures of the building are covered with clay tiles. This porous material, sound absorbent and warm, reminds us that it is a half-buried building carved into the earth.

mobles 114 participates with PEY office table system with integrated lighting and some contract furniture such as Riga waste bin.

More about the project at the web mobles 114.

Hospital de Cerdanya / Hôpital de Cerdagne

Cerdanya, natural comarca of the Eastern Pyrenees, has been chosen as the ideal placement for the new Transborder Hospital between France and Spain, in Puigcerdà.

The hospital building has been designed as a compact and unique volume, South oriented due to urbanistic, functional and sustainable reasons. This trapezoidal volume has one only roof related to the square in front of it, which establishes a special landscape with the mountains of the countryside.

“Our aim was to create a strong image for the hospital building, to become a landmark on the new suburb of Puigcerdà. The horizontal composition, big roof and the tower as a vertical counterpoint organize and personalize all the surroundings”, explain the authors Albert Pineda, Manuel Brullet and Alfonso de Luna.

mobles 114 editions has furnished the public spaces of the hospital, such as the lobby, café bar and waiting rooms, with Danesa armchair, Gracia chairs, Oxi side tables and Pey office table.