Who cooler than Cortney and Robert Novogratz to bring the vibrancy of Brazil to life through their newest product launch at CB2! Last week’s opening of the “Brasil Collection” features the colors, energy and spirit inspired by their home in the rainforest.
But what about the sounds of Brazil? The Novogratz commissioned SOUNDWALL, the John Houshmand and Ed Potokar partnership, that brings music into the 4th dimension. A dramatic 10- foot ficus tree was installed in the storefront window. Nestled in the serpentine curves and vine ladened crevices of the tree are protruding branches that are individually programed joysticks. When manipulated they chime out with the music of marimba and bomba drums, flutes, along with clarinet and oboe-like reeds! The perimeter is constructed as if one was standing on a deck suspended in the canopy. Each post is topped with river-smoothed stones that also facilitate the melodic instruments of this musical culture.
Come stop in the CB2 SoHo store and be teleported to the lush Brazilian rainforest as you peruse the vibrant textures and patterns of the Novogratz’s new collection.
Now if only you had a caipirnha in hand!
CB2 SoHo
451 Broadway between Canal and Grand
New York, New York 10013
SONIC ARCHITECTURE is the next big thing in the design and music worlds! Last night’s opening of SOUNDWALL at JOHNHOUSHMAND PROJECTS was a testament of that. We had the honor of hosting 400 guests from all over the creative spectrum. JOHNHOUSHMAND PROJECTS was packed to the brim with cultural tastemakers from the realms of architecture, music, interior design and art came together to celebrate Ed Potokar‘s musical sculpture exhibition.
Last night’s opening was indeed a feast for the senses! Guests were able to touch, play and listen to the master crafted sculptural instruments and audio architecture. Festivities came to soaring heights when Ed Potokar started live musical performances with his crew of renown musicians and friends, which included Gerry Leonard, Scott Williams, Shawn Pelton, Rick DePofi, Chris Butler and Sterling Campbell .
For those of you who could not attend the opening here are some videos of the jam session of last night’s festivities!
JOHNHOUSHMAND and JEN KAO recently teamed up to create this amazing reception desk No. 0261
Collaboration has always been a fundamental process at JOHNHOUSHMAND.We love putting our heads together with other innovative designers and creatives to produce amazing, unique, and personal works. As they say “two heads are better than one!”
Some of our favorite people we love to work with are those that belong to the Fashion world! In the past we have teamed up to create one of a kind pieces for clients such as David Yurman, Barney’s New York and Saks Fifth Avenue. This past year we had the happy privilege of collaborating with the exceptionally talented Jen Kao ! Ellemagazine has described her designs as “art-inspired, intellectually approached, and meticulously executed,” and we could not agree more!
For her new fashion showroom, pictured above, we created a one of a kind reception desk that incorporates spalted maple, blackened steel and acrylic. As rose-gold is the signature element for her brand, Jen asked JOHNHOUSHMAND to integrate this metallic detail into her desk; resulting in making this piece extra personalized and one of a kind. Watch the video to hear John and Jen speak about the creative process for this remarkable reception desk!
The Growth of Sustainable Design talk by Inhabitat‘s Evelyn M. Lee, JOHNHOUSHMAND‘s event for the Pacific Design Center‘s WESTWEEK, was an enlightening and inspiring presentation. It left us all with a lot of food for thought. We are thankful to Evelyn for her time and expertise!
The Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, Georgia, originally designed by Atlanta architect John Portman in 1967, is undergoing a transformation. This award-winning luxury hotel was the first contemporary atrium hotel in the world and at the time of opening was the tallest building in Atlanta.
JOHNHOUSHMAND, in conjunction with tvsdesign, a design firm specializing in architectural, interior, sustainable and urban design, had the pleasure of designing the two-fold black walnut bell and reception desks, black walnut console tables with glass legs, and valet stand at the Hyatt Regency.
After hoisting the components of this mammoth table up to a NYC Park Ave apartment on the roof of the elevator, the piece was assembled in situ. Engineered to come apart and back together perfectly, pitons and all, the finished piece is astounding for its design, elegance, craftsmanship, and engineering….
Unique logs are hard to find, hard to acquire responsibly, hard to take down, hard to truck, and generally a serious logistical challenge. But when the wood Santa arrives, it is so very worth it. Here two large black walnuts on the doorstep after a trip cross country. They were sourced from a homeowner who needed to take them down for a new home construction on a tiny lot. Save….!
