Four Awards -

One Year

Who says you can’t do what you love and make the world a better place all at the same time?

Botanist has received much attention from organizations who seek to reward good design, all in just one year!  With a mission to solve macro level world issues through the participation of designers across the globe, it’s no wonder Botanist is making an impression.

Cooper-Hewitt People’s Design Award Nomination

Every year, Cooper-Hewitt gives out design awards chosen by a jury of distinguished design gurus—but do you agree with the experts? The Peoples Choice Award however is bestowed upon its winner by the public directly. Its power to the people! Whether it’s handmade or mass produced, high end or low brow, if it’s an example of good design, Cooper wants to know about it!

+ learn more about Cooper-Hewitt

IDEA (International Design Excellence Award) Nomination
The team behind Orange22’s Botanist project was thrilled to receive the news that the prestigious IDEA Awards nominated Botanist as a finalist for their Eco-Products Category.  The IDEA program is the premier international competition honoring design excellence in products, ecodesign, interaction design, packaging, strategy, research and concepts.  Entries are invited from designers, students and companies worldwide.

+ learn more about IDEA 

Spark Design Award - Silver
The 2008 Spark Design Awards put more than 360 entries under the microscope last month, with the best being selected by a jury of prestigious names in global design.  Spark is about change — designed change.  Change for the better: studied, researched, cognizant, cognizant of criteria like sustainability, suitability, context, inventiveness, process, universality — and yes, beauty.  Botanist is honored to have received such an award.

+ learn more about Spark

Contract Magazine’s Inspiration Award
Contract Magazine believes that the commercial design community plays a leadership role in furthering global efforts for social responsibility.  A $5,000 award was presented to Dario Antonioni (founder of Orange22 and creator of Botanist) to benefit the foundations supported by the winning work.  Antonioni spoke at the event and highlighted the importance of stepping beyond our egos to spread good through design and the passion that make us who we are.

+ learn more about Inspirations

Planting Seeds

of Inspiration

Botanist teams up with Tree People to showcase Ian Shive’s stunning national park photography book

Tree People Conference Center

An atmosphere of reflection exists inside and outside the facility

“Photography illustrates the passage of time.  Our evolving landscape consists of gargantuan trees that seem to have lived forever which mother the new trees just springing forth,” said Ian Shive at last week’s Tree People event.  The evening was set aside to highlight Shive’s first large print coffee table book “The National Parks: Our American Landscape,” featuring breathtaking pictures of the national parks.  Shive’s philosophy is that the powerful medium of photography has shaped our view of the environment in the past and can continue to shape those views in the future.

The building in which the event was held was Tree People’s Conference Center, designed by Marmol Radziner and Associates.  The facility is a model of sustainable architecture to conserve energy and water, and to reduce waste.  The Conference Center is certified at the LEED Platinum level by the U.S. Green Building Council - the highest rating possible.  Even the wall insulation was created from scraps of denim left over from the manufacture of jeans!  The Conference Center serves as a place for dialogue to promote sustainability in Los Angeles and cities around the world. 

Botanist was invited to provide seating for the event and the assortment of benches, cocktail tables and end tables added a splash of color to the interior.  Since the event attracted many sustainability-minded individuals, our eco-friendly products sparked a great interest in the Botanist mission.  Not only was Ian Shive’s photography inspiring for those who attended, but Botanist also planted seeds of inspiration through its green design and socially responsible platform.

 The ‘Flow’ bench provided a perfect place for conversation about the event

A playful arrangement of Botanist products worked well with visitors

Milton Glaser’s ‘Epigram’ end table was a nice resting place for Sarah Shewey, the Event Producer

 Botanist end tables, benches and cocktail tables served as the lounge

National Parks

Conservation

Protecting and enhancing America’s National Park System for future generations

Ian Shive Photography

Our nation’s parks and historic landmarks have been called the best idea America ever had, being that they are the most unique expression of our national character and values.  These parks are the most enduring icons of democracy and our American stories.

National Parks Conservation Association and its more than 320,000 members and supporters are committed to preserving the most diverse park system in the world for us now as well as for future generations.  Since 1919, NCPA has worked in and around our national parks conducting research and working with community leaders, park advocates, park staff, and state and federal legislators to ensure that our national parks are well funded, well managed, and well protected. 

Just as photographer Ian Shive seeks to capture the existing beauty currently present in our national parks, it should be our desire to be sure these sanctuaries and havens for the wild realize their potential as resources for national understanding, economic and environmental renewal, and personal inspiration.

Less is More

“Inspiration for the simple forms came from the notion of ‘blank canvas’.  Maximum surface area while creating a functional, strong and modular system of nest-able geometries was the goal.  Reducing the objects to minimal needs became a key design driver.”  -Dario Antonioni

Dario Antonioni, Creator of Botanist

 ‘Flow’ feels at home indoors and out

End Table

Cocktail Table

 Bench

Each Botanist piece includes an authentic stainless steel badge signed by the designer

Legendary designers Milton Glaser and Massimo & Lella Vignelli with Antonioni at the 2008 Chelsea Museum launch

A series of uninterrupted contoured forms compose Antonioni’s ‘Flow’ collection for Botanist, embodying design legend Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s aphorism of ‘Less is More.’  Antonioni mirrors this approach by striving towards design solutions with minimal framework and structural order, balanced against the implied freedom of free-flowing space. 

‘Flow’ fluently speaks the language of modernism with its radial curves and recycled aluminum anatomy, not to mention the smooth finished texture.  This collection emanates beauty in unwarranted simplicity reminiscent of Mies van der Rohe’s rational approach to architectural design.

So if less really is more, then why does the general population seek to clutter and confuse their spaces with unnecessary fluff?  It takes an uncommon level of self-control to master the art of minimalism.  A balance between the two poles of over-design and under-design is ultimately what leads to a successful and aesthetically pleasing solution.

As the founder of Orange22 Design Lab in Los Angeles, Dario Antonioni takes his cue from aviators like the Wright Brothers, refusing to abide by the often fiercly guarded distinctions between disciplines in design.  He calls himself a “maker of things” — a purposefully open-ended description, as Orange22 designs and fabricates both mass-market and limited-edition objects and furniture, brand-defining retail environments, residential interiors and design concepts licensed for mass production.  In every case, Antonioni fuses technology, art and design with the overarching intent to revolutionize the way we live.

Everyday Super Heroes 

Special Olympics celebrates what humanity has in common with focus on meeting needs

War, ethnic conflicts and threats of terror are constants in the 21st century.  But every day around the world, Special Olympics proves that people from all backgrounds, cultures, races and ages can work together peaceably to celebrate what we have in common and to focus on those in need.

Over the last 40 years, athletes with intellectual disabilities have come together to compete, even when they represent nations or areas that have been divided.  With over 3 million athletes in 150 various countries, Special Olympics is clearly an unstoppable cause providing exceptional opportunities for achievement and learning. 

“My older brother Pablo has downs syndrome,” says Antonioni.  “Throughout my life, I’ve dedicated time as a Special Olympics coach, teacher and friend to the downs community.  The experience changed my life.  Pablo is a reminder to me of our own purity, delicacy, simplicity and what it takes to nuture true, unwavering love.  He makes us all special and that is why I have chosen the Special Olympics as my charity of choice.”

The ‘Flow‘ series by Dario Antonioni donates funds to Special Olympics.  By purchasing a ‘Flow’ end table, cocktail table or bench you vicariously support our everyday super heroes.

Botanist Spreads Happiness -

One Bench at a Time!

Pat Aiken raves about her ‘Pixel Burst’ bench by Yves Behar as a conversation piece in her new Santa Barbara loft

Friends are wide-eyed when they come up the stairs to behold Yves Behar’s ‘Pixel Burst’ bench

 The Aiken’s great room comes to life with Behar’s explosive design

The view from the open kitchen reveals the appropriate role ‘Pixel Burst’ plays in this space

After spreading the word about how Botanist ‘Pixel Burst’ series owners can receive a free bench pad by sending photos in use, we had a tremendous response from happy customers who were willing to share.  Pat Aiken of Santa Barbara, CA generously provided stunning photos of her new modern loft highlighting her ‘Pixel Burst’ bench as a focal point in the living area.  

Pat and her husband built the mixed-use space with an upper residence and lower office for a “downtown experience” in Santa Barbara.  “It was such fun researching and creating a contemporary look instead of the typical style,” Pat tells us.  It is easy to see the beautiful outcome of their design goals through a perfect balance of streamlined architecture and modern furnishings.  Well done, Pat!

We interviewed Pat for feedback about the role her Botanist bench plays in her life.  Here is what she had to say.

How did you hear about Botanist?
I took a leap of faith and purchased virtually every item for this space online, from faucets and appliances to lighting and furnishings.  I came across Botanist in one of my Google searches for contemporary furniture.

What made you choose Botanist?
As soon as I saw the Botanist benches online, knew I had found exactly what I was looking for: versatility, uniqueness, graphic punch - they definitely have the “Wow!” factor.  I also appreciated knowing that my purchase would benefit a non-profit.  The big challenge, though, was selecting just one among all those stunning designs. 

What do your friends say about your Pixel Burst bench?
Friends are wide-eyed when they come up the stairs.  Our Pixel Burst bench is the first thing they see.  They’ll exclaim, “Where did you find this?!” or simply, “That’s awesome!”

How do you feel about the finish and level of quality in fabrication?
A great design with a great price: it’s heavy, durable, and beautifully finished.  First class product.  I love it.

Would you recommend Botanist?
Although the shape is contemporary, I believe that the variety of designs offered would allow these benches to work really well with any style, and I would highly recommend them to anyone - they exceed expectations!

Thank you, Pat, for helping us to inspire others to choose Botanist through your great experience with ‘Pixel Burst.’  After all, a happy customer is a lifelong customer!

‘Pixel Burst’ Owners:

Get a Free Bench Pad! 

A picture is worth a thousand words and we want to share your Botanist story with other readers around the globe 

Here’s how.  Send us an image of your Botanist ‘Pixel Burst’ product by Yves Behar in use and you will receive a $225 bench pad for FREE!  We want to see the role your Botanist bench, end table, or cocktail table plays in your space.  If you have a similar story to the one featured in today’s newsletter please share your photos and responses to the questions in bold!  Pull out your camera and capture the beauty of Botanist ‘Pixel Burst’! 

Send your 300 dpi JPG images to: botanist@orange22.com  See below for pad colors and materials.  Offer good while supplies last.

Extra!  Extra! 

Read All About It!

Leading architecture bookstore showcases Botanist products to promote positive change for world issues

Hennessey + Ingalls Art & Architecture Bookstore (Santa Monica, CA) 

Hennessey + Ingalls, located on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, is the largest art and architecture bookstore in the western United States dealing solely with books on the visual arts.  The broad collection and knowledgeable staff make this an important stop for anyone who has a passion for design.  Artists, architects, designers, photographers, advertisers, and film directors flock to this location when searching for the best selection of research materials available.

“When I go to Hennessey + Ingalls, it feels like going on an architectural tour of the world, like going on vacation,” says Mina Oh, architecture student at Otis College of Art & Design.  “I spend five hours in their store at a time.  I speak on behalf of other students when I say there is no where else that has so many amazing books all under the same roof.” 

Founded by Reginald Hennessey, the family-owned outlet is a hot spot for rare and out-of-print architecture books.  Hennessey + Ingalls is unequalled in their in-depth selections of books in art, art history, all phases of architecture, photography, interior design, graphic design, and landscaping.

Botanist was showcased by Hennessey + Ingalls for the last two months.  “We were honored to be provided the opportunity to have them dedicate their store front to the Botanist cause,” stated Dario Antonioni, founder of Orange22 Design Lab.  The display attracted many on-lookers and encouraged investigation into Botanist and its platform.  Frank Gehry and Michael Rotundy have also been featured in the Hennessey + Ingalls display window.

+ Visit Hennessey & Ingalls Online

The Botanist mission statement was stated on the store front window to educate passing customers 

All Botanist designers and charitable foundations were posted along side the mission statement

 The Inspirations and Spark Design Awards were also highlighted in the case

Botanist end tables, benches, and cocktail tables were donated for display

Soak Up the Sun

Solar panels provide excellent solution for natural energy and sustainable design

Did you know that the days are longer during the summer than the winter?  That means there are more hours of sunlight, and the sunlight actually has a shorter path to travel to reach the earth’s surface during summer months.  The point?  Each hour of summer sun has more energy than an hour of winter sun, and now is the best time to install solar panels to translate all that energy to your home.

There are panels available on the market that can essentially provide you anywhere from three to eight years of free power. Recent legislation has mandated in many areas that the power company must buy excess power that you generate… so you could potentially receive a check rather than writing one.  Now that’s hot.

If you are searching for where to buy all things green, we recommend products available at www.solarhome.org.  A FREE solar evaluation is also available by calling 1-888-587-5501.

Go put that 45 spf on, and head to your roof to make your home greener this summer!

Brilliant

Creativity

Flare

“Burst of creativity, of self-expression and ideas is what drives us as creatives, so how does this idea get expressed in a simple visual?“ -Yves Behar

Botanist Designer, Yves Behar

The answer to this question is found in Behar’s ‘Pixel Burst‘ collection, composed of explosion-like patterns reminiscent of the sun’s bright rays. 

Energy from the sun in the form of light supports almost all life on earth and drives the earth’s climate and weather.  Without it, life would cease to exist.  Behar’s inspiration reaches far beyond the expanses of space to harness the flares occurring on the sun’s surface.  Now the energy of the sun can be experienced in modern eco-friendly furniture.  The collection includes a nesting system of an end table, cocktail table and bench.

In 1999, Behar founded the San Francisco design studio, fuseproject with a focus on establishing new markets and disrupting old ones through smart design.  He is focused on humanistic design and the ‘giving‘ element of his profession.  Behar believes that the creative energy and time invested in the project can make a difference, and the values he aspires to create will have long term impact.  “Design has a democratizing power,” says Behar.  “As designers we need to use that power.”

During this time of economic turmoil, people everywhere are frantic to find hope and optimism for the future.  Yves Behar’s design concept reaches out to those who need assurance in a time of darkness.  Just as the sun rises each morning, the dawn of a bright future is sure for all.

End table

Cocktail Table

Bench

Each Botanist piece includes an authentic badge signed by the designer.

Botanist founder Dario Antonioni, Yves Behar, and associate at the Chelsea Museum launch party in New York City.

 Making Waves…

The Surfrider Foundation offers dedicated protection of our world’s oceans, waves, and beaches

Summer has officially arrived, and with that millions are heading to the beach.  Some venture into the water to catch some waves and others simply soak up the sun on the warm sand.  It just wouldn’t be summer without these traditions.

Imagine if the earth’s most beautiful features — the ocean and the beach — became inaccessible due to harsh environmental impacts.  Thanks to  Surfrider Foundation, a charitable organization that has been protecting our oceans and beaches since 1984, we can be sure to enjoy these beautiful places for years to come.

The ‘Pixel Burst‘ collection by Yves Behar donates funds to Surfrider Foundation.  By purchasing a ‘Pixel Burst’ end table, cocktail table, or bench you support the safety of our beaches. 

Join the 50,000 Surfrider Foundation members and help save our oceans, waves, and beaches.

Botanist Wins Idea Finalist Nomination

IDSA has been honoring design excellence via the IDEA Awards since 1980.

The Internation Design Excellence Award (IDEA) is dedicated to fostering business and public understanding of the importance of industrial design excelence to the quality life and economy. This year Botanist was honored with a Finalist Nomination recognizing its innovation, aesthetics, the benefits to the end user and the environment, as well as the commitment to its mission: Collaborate, Create and Give Back. Each Botanist piece donates a percentage of sales to a charitable organization chosen by the designers themselves.

Current designers participating in the project include: Milton Glaser, Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Yves Behar, Karim Rashid, Joseph Ricchio, Claude Zellweger, Kahi Lee, Margo Chase and Botanist’s founder and creative director Dario Antonioni.

The designers gather at the Chelsea Museum in NY for the Botanist 2008 Launch, from left to right: Kahi Lee, Claude Zellweger, Joseph Ricchio, Margo Chase, Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Karim Rashid and Dario Antonioni.

Botanist is currently in preparation of the 2009 Launch, which will introduce new collaborating designers as well as a new product line. The new products and designer line up will be unveiled at a venue in Los Angeles, CA. Special guests will include the participating designers, members of the press and selected members of the design community.

Check back for the latest updates and to discover the Botanist 2009 Designers.

‘I love New York’ Logo Creator, Milton Glaser, Does It Again.

 ‘Epigram’ for Botanist is his first and only contribution to production furniture.

He is a visionary, artist and designer of our time.His resume includes a myriad of projects from book covers, album covers, famous logos -including the ‘I Love New York’ logo, the new version of this same after 9/11,and the DC comics bullet-, magazine and newspaper design, interior design and even ‘underground gourmet’ when he used to write about good cheap restaurants in NY for ‘New York Magazine’, which he Co-founded with Clay Felker in 1968.

Mr. Glaser created ‘Epigram’ for Botanist, a series of playful furniture pieces that are both classic and innovative. Water-jet technology is used on a recyclable aluminum sheet to cutout phrases coined by the artist, then bent into three different sizes -End table, Cocktail table and Bench- with each size featuring a unique phrase.

Every piece in the series comes with an Original, Signed - Signature Badge.

These collectible pieces are Indoor/Outdoor,they can be nested to create unique configurations and are suitable for both Residential and Contract applications.

All ‘Epigram’ Designs benefit the International Rescue Committee.
+View Epigram Collection

Become a Facebook Fan and Enter a Chance to WIN a Botanist Bench!

Spread the Love - Tell A Friend

 We will GIFT them $100 for singing up to our Newsletter plus they enter a Chance to Win a Botanist Bench!

Botanist was honored with Contract Magazine’s INSPIRATION AWARD, highlighting socially responsible products.

At a March 25 ceremony on the rooftop terrace of the new London West Hollywood, Tandus presented a $5,000 donation to each winner to benefit the cause supported by the winning work.

Meeting Street is one of the first U.S. schools in which children with or without disabilities can reach their full potential, as universal building systems and design elements focus on improving the quality of life for every child.

Botanist eco-friendly furniture brings together design and social responsibility, with 2 percent of sales donated to partner foundations chosen by collaborating designers, proving that businesses can be profitable while making a positive social and environmental impact.

Receiving the award, the project’s Founder Dario Antonioni highlighted the importance of ‘spreading the word through the design community to design and specify products that are not only beautiful and eco-friendly but also socially responsible’.

Attendees included Contract Magazine’s Editor in Chief Jennifer Busch and this year’s panel of judges: Prataap Patrose, Director of Urban Design, Boston Redevelopment Authority; John Cary, Executive Director, Public Architecture and Trisha Wilson, President & CEO, Wilson & Associates.

+ Read More Here

1) Botanist Designers create products that are not only eco-friendly by they are also associated with a particular foundation or charity - of the Designers choice.

2) Botanist then matches the Designers royalty and donates these funds on their behalf to their specific charity.

3) Today Botanist proudly supports nine foundations and charities worldwide.

Botanist is Creativity Empowered for Positive Change!

Fortune Magazine released their 2009 list of “Most Socially Responsible Companies”

Anheuser-Busch take first place and Marriott Hotels takes second.
+ See the List Here

Do you know of a social responsible company? Share it with us!

Margo Mix & Match

“… I choose colors that are earth tones, the color of plains, forests and deserts, the color of the land beneath the sky and the cycle of the seasons…the shapes represent birds or leaves.”

Margo Chase

Socially Responsible Companies

Fortune Magazine released their 2009 list of the most socially responsible companies earlier this year; Anheuser-Busch took first place. The same place was awarded last year to ‘International Paper’. We applaud their efforts to try to make the world a better place, and would also like to acknowledge some of  the local companies that like us; are trying to make a difference:

Laura L. Klein link: http://www.laurakleingreenclub.com/

Los Angeles, CA

Eco Usable: http://www.ecousable.com/about.php 

Redondo Beach, CA

Sweet Earth: http://www.sweetearthchocolates.com/

San Luis Obispo, CA

H3Environmental http://www.h3environmental.com/

Dana Point, CA

Do you own, work or know of local socially responsible businesses? We want to know about it…leave us your comments.