This longhouse showroom pays tribute to local craftsmanship in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai-based architecture studio Sher Maker designed a Chamchuri wood factory showroom in Chiang Mai in an effort to pay an ode to local craftsmanship. The factory was built in collaboration with local furniture factory Moonler. The longhouse showroom celebrates and shines a light on the materiality and traditional regional design to draw attention to the brand’s products and processes.

Designer: Sher Maker x Moonler

The Moonler furniture showroom was inspired by traditional Thai longhouses. The traditional architectural typology of these houses was picked up and artfully merged with the visual design language of a pavilion, in an attempt to capture the brand’s traditional values.  At the same time, Sher Maker made an effort to remain sensitive and empathetic to the natural environment surrounding the showroom.

Northern Thailand has an abundance of extremely talented and skilled wood artisans who create beautiful refined products from the local materials and elements available. Moonler is based in the area of Doi Saket in Chiang Mai, and builds tables, benches, stools, and other furniture pieces from Chamchuri wood. Moonler’s collaboration with Sher Maker is an initiative to celebrate and honor the traditions and products of the region. The showroom was designed to harmoniously blend with its surrounding natural environment, which it does so beautifully. It features a narrow long and imposing form with a gabled roof on top, which is linked to the entrance court. However, the showroom manages to look like a pavilion, which is connected to the rice field terrace.

Another notable aspect of the showroom is the fact that it really truly pays an ode to the factory’s craftsmen. This beautiful tribute can be seen throughout the entirety of the showroom. The wooden beams and columns woven throughout the showroom, resemble the Chamchuri wooden furniture pieces excellently. They impart the space with a warm and minimal vibe, that creates an interior that is both traditional and simple. All the structural finishings and joinery implemented in the showroom accurately capture and incorporate Moonler’s furniture construction processes. They stand in “powerful silence as Moonler’s philosophy.” Moonler’s handcrafted furniture designs have been showcased throughout the showroom.

The post This longhouse showroom pays tribute to local craftsmanship in Chiang Mai first appeared on Yanko Design.

Audi dealership lets you gesticulate your way to a new car using Kinect and multitouch

DNP Audi dealership lets you gesticulate your way to a new car using Kinect and multitouch

If you're shopping for your dream wheels, but hate poring over brochures, Audi's got good news: you can now wave and touch to customize your prize ride. The experience starts at the Audi City showroom in London, where you kick off the process by choosing one of the German automaker's 36 models. Then, you can browse the vehicle on a 210-inch HD display with a Kinect to read your gestures as you swipe around to take the tour. From there, a 32-inch 3M multitouch display helps you customize your machine, even letting you use physical RFID-equipped cloth and paint samples to dial in the specs. Once your Teutonic buggy is just so, you can save everything on a USB key, print out a custom brochure and even share the enthralling details on Facebook or Twitter. The company hopes to add 20 similar stores around the world, and if you're near Picadilly Square you can try it out yourself -- just keep one hand on that non-virtual wallet.

[Image credit: Wallpaper]

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Audi dealership lets you gesticulate your way to a new car using Kinect and multitouch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 05:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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