Latest news with #AlineAsmard'Amman
New York Times
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Testing New Twists on Unexpected Materials at Milan Design Week
Where else but at Milan Design Week would you find bookcases made from books, a bar cabinet covered in hairy hide and a pavilion (and all its contents) fashioned from the stuff that stoppers wine bottles? The resourcefulness of designers working with unexpected materials is once again on full display, sometimes to make a point about sustainability (like Casa Cork, a project led by Rockwell Group), and sometimes just to look great. Built With Books and Memories 'I was saved by literature,' said Aline Asmar d'Amman of her exhibition at Galleria Rossana Orlandi called 'The Power of Tenderness.' 'These books that I imbed into concrete are the bricks and mortar of my inner foundation.' Ms. d'Amman is a Lebanese-born architect and interior designer. Her firm, Culture in Architecture, with offices in Beirut and Paris, has refurbished suites at the Hôtel de Crillon with the fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. It is currently renovating the Orient Express Hotel Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice, as well as the Dream of the Desert train, being developed with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture. Ms. d'Amman has often spoken of her childhood in a war-torn country where she soothed herself by reading. She still thinks of books as her companions, she said: 'Their physical presence is a necessary oxygen.' The new pieces are created entirely by hand. Ms. d'Amman works side by side with artisans at the Laboratorio Morseletto in Vicenza, Italy, and uses simple ingredients: books that she has collected over the years, concrete, and scraps of marble and other stones. She has described the resulting pieces — shelves, pedestals, tables and bookends — as 'contemporary archaeological compositions,' but some may see in them survivors of war. 'Being Lebanese and going through years of war,' Ms. d'Amman said, 'your eye is marked by the ruins, and by the beauty and the nobility of what remains.' 'The Power of Tenderness' opened on April 6 and is on view through the year at Galleria Rossana Orlandi, 14 Via Matteo Bandello; — RIMA SUQI A Ceramicist Tackles Teapots For about a decade, Loewe, the Spanish fashion house, has shown a collection of home décor during Milan's design week. The presentations began in 2015 with a focus on a specific category — baskets, chairs, lamps and the like — and always with an emphasis on craft. This year, 25 artists, designers and architects from 10 countries were invited to create a teapot or tea set in ceramic. Among them was Dan McCarthy, an American ceramicist known for his 'Facepots.' Mr. McCarthy had never made a teapot before. 'I had to buy special clay and special glazes and fire at temperatures I don't usually fire at,' he said. Functionality was not a requirement (only about half the teapots in the group can be used), but he steamed ahead with a workable model: 'I wanted to make something that felt loose and accessible and said, 'I've arrived here in my gooey magical way.'' The artist, who is originally from Hawaii, undertook the challenge from his home in the Catskills in New York. In the end, he made 10 teapots for Loewe to choose from, each about a foot tall. 'I wanted to show off a little bit, so I made them kind of big,' he said. (Two were selected.) He gave special attention to the handle, which, in order to remain upright, was fashioned from an oak dowel and wire normally used for mending fences. This way, he said, the teapot is always at the ready. 'Loewe Teapots' is on view Monday through Sunday at Palazzo Citterio, 12 Via Brera. — RIMA SUQI Keeper of the 'Water of Life' At a glance, Orior's new Beatha drinks cabinet evokes sophisticated caveman décor. It is a stocky, solid walnut piece with doors wrapped in Italian cowhide. Those doors open (via hand-formed bronze handles) to reveal an interior that can be customized for the user's needs. Options include bottle storage, wine racks, drawers and trays; the only fixed piece is the top shelf, which is clad in marble. In photos, the cabinet 'looks really tall and broad, but it is quite small and compact, which is nice because it doesn't overwhelm a room,' said Ciaran McGuigan, the creative director of Orior, which was founded by his parents in 1979. The piece, which is about 5 feet tall by 4 feet wide, was crafted at Orior's workshop in Northern Ireland, with the exception of the handles and hinges, which were made at a foundry in County Cork. About the cabinet's name: It is a shortened version of 'uisce beatha,' which is Gaelic for both 'water of life' and 'whiskey.' Mr. McGuigan is good-humored about the derivation. 'There's no rhyme or reason to some of the pieces we launch. Being Irish we should 100 percent have made a drinks cabinet before this, but we're pleased with the outcome.' Beatha is one of nine pieces Orior is introducing in Milan this year. It is on view from Tuesday through Sunday at Bocci Milan, a residential showroom at 20 Via Giuseppe Rovani; — RIMA SUQI Highlighting an 'Invisible' Resource Rockwell Group, the design firm known for creating immersive interiors for restaurants, hotels and stage productions, will unveil a space in Milan's Brera neighborhood that highlights a sustainable and versatile material: cork. The material is the focus of Cork Collective, a nonprofit initiative that was founded in part by Rockwell Group and works with the hospitality industry to collect and repurpose discarded cork bottle stoppers. Cork, which the firm's founder David Rockwell said can be infinitely recycled and sequesters carbon, is 'one of these major invisible resources that is right under people's noses.' The installation in Milan, called Casa Cork, taps members of the design and hospitality communities, as well as students and educators, to showcase innovative ways that cork can be fashioned and reused. Visitors are invited to move through three spaces in which the material appears as flooring, light fixtures, furniture and other objects: a gallery where people can interact with various types of cork, a workshop that will host designs from a student competition and a salon with a bar for wine tastings. Throughout the week, speakers will host discussions and demonstrations about cork and its different uses. The centerpiece of the installation is a replica of a cork tree in Portugal that has been scanned, 3-D printed and laminated with cork from fallen trees, representing the material's source and potential for a second life. The firm also thought about its own footprint, designing the installation to be packed up and used again elsewhere. 'Although it's being created for Milan,' Mr. Rockwell said, 'it's a kind of circular economy, too.' The exhibition is open Tuesday through Saturday, 31 Via Solferino; — LAUREN MESSMAN Designing Locally With Aluminum Last year, Norsk Hydro, the Norwegian aluminum and renewable energy company, collaborated with seven designers to create home décor items made entirely from Hydro's 100 percent post-consumer aluminum. This project, unveiled at Milan Design Week, explored the design possibilities of the material. In this second installment of Hydro's CIRCAL 100R series, the company seeks to minimize the material's carbon footprint as it is converted into a design object by focusing on 'extremely local production,' said Jacob Nielsen, a communications director at Hydro. For the project, titled R100, all parts of the manufacturing and design process had to be done within a 100-kilometer (about 62-mile) radius, including the collection of post-consumer scrap and the assembly of the final prototypes. Five industrial designers worked with the project's art director, Lars Beller Fjetland, to create the aluminum objects, exercising total freedom in the size and type of extrusions. One participant, Daniel Rybakken, a Norwegian designer who runs a studio in Sweden, said he saw this as 'a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you get the chance to do kind of whatever you want.' For his project, 'Fields,' Mr. Rybakken created a sculpture that has no inherent practical function. He said he originally considered more traditional typologies, like an extruded lamp, but then thought, 'Why not do something that no manufacturer would touch in normal cases?' Resembling an architectural model, his piece mediates between the cold industrial components and a warm, poetic object. 'That was actually the most challenging part of it, because it's the balance of an abstraction,' Mr. Rybakken said. 'Where it's recognized as something and not being too literal at the same time.' The R100 objects are on display Tuesday through Sunday at Spazio Maiocchi, 7 Via Achille Maiocchi; — MORGAN MALGET
Gulf Insider
30-01-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Unveils Designs Of luxury Desert Train
Dream of the Desert to begin operations in 2026, blending opulence with Saudi heritage Deemed the first five-star luxury rail service in the Middle East, designs of the train's interior are inspired by the desert landscape and traditional Saudi architecture. Saudi Arabia has released designs of a luxury train expected to go operational next year as the country seeks to be a global travel destination. Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and Italian luxury hospitality company Arsenale this week unveiled the final designs of the 'Dream of the Desert' rail project, the first five-star luxury train in the Middle East. The announcement coincided with the visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to the kingdom. The designs mark a stride in implementing an agreement signed last year between SAR and Arsenale. Deemed the first five-star luxury rail service in the Middle East, designs of the train's interior are inspired by the desert landscape and traditional Saudi architecture. The train is designed by architect and interior designer Aline Asmar d'Amman and her studio Culture in Architecture, reflecting a harmonious fusion of modern elegance and Saudi heritage. Inspired by the desert landscape and traditional Saudi architecture, the interiors feature refined craftsmanship, with earthy tones, luxurious textiles, and intricate decorative details, SAR said. 'This milestone marks a significant step forward in redefining luxury rail travel in the region, seamlessly blending contemporary opulence with the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia,' SAR added in a statement. Consisting of 14 carriages housing 34 luxury suites, offering an exclusive and intimate experience for travellers, the train is designed as a moving five-star destination, according to SAR. It combines world-class hospitality with exquisite design. Departing from Riyadh, the train will traverse SAR's Northern Railway network, allowing guests to explore some of Saudi Arabia's most breathtaking heritage and natural sites. Dream of the Desert is expected to begin operations by the end of Q3 2026, said Paolo Barletta, CEO of Arsenale Group. Through collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the train will feature curated cultural programmes, ensuring passengers experience Saudi Arabia's traditions in an 'immersive and engaging way,' SAR said. In addition, the Saudi Tourism Authority and the Centre for Development Authorities Support are working on tourism itineraries that integrate seamlessly with the train journey.
CNN
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
The Middle East's first super-luxury train will gleam gold
It's the train set to whisk people across the largest country in the Middle East — and to do so in style, according to the designs that have just been released. Saudi Arabia's Dream of the Desert train, which is slated to hit the rails next year, is set to be the region's first five-star luxury train, and the first renderings for the 14 carriages have finally been unveiled. A joint project between Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and Arsenale S.p.A., the Italian luxury brand, the train is due to launch around fall 2026. It has been designed by Aline Asmar d'Amman, an architect and designer whose Culture in Architecture studio is based between Paris and Beirut. The idea is to amp up the luxury while referencing Saudi culture and heritage — including motifs from destinations like AlUla, Madain Saleh and Hail — within the design. The overall tone is suitably sandy, with golds, beiges and darker tones coupled with chrome fittings reflecting the desert views outside. Reception lounges have been given the feel of a majlis — the room in a Saudi home where guests are welcomed — and include geometric patterns and hand-carved wooden elements. Bedrooms, meanwhile, have a richer feel, with a hint of Art Deco styling in the emerald-colored sofas, headboards and drapes, as well as the clean lines and wood-paneled walls. The attention to detail extends to the public areas. Artworks and photographs of Saudi cultural sites will adorn the corridors, while the train exterior will be a burnished chrome with accents of violet. The train will have 34 suites across 14 carriages, while the restaurant menu will be curated by 'local and international chefs,' according to the press release accompanying the renderings. The route will go from Riyadh across SAR's Northern Railway network. In a partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Culture there will be 'curated cultural programs' for guests as well as 'unique tourism itineraries that integrate seamlessly with the train journey' — though no details have yet been revealed. SAR previously said in a press release that the Dream of the Desert will operate 'luxury train cruise' journeys from the capital city of Riyadh to Qurayyat, which is situated close to the northern border with Jordan. The 1,300-kilometer route will take in the country's desert landscapes, and stop at the city of Hail on one- and two-night trips. Calling it 'an unparalleled travel experience,' Paolo Barletta, Arsenale Group's CEO, said in a statement that the train will be a 'fully immersive experience.' Dream of the Desert is currently slated to debut at the end of the third quarter of 2026. In the mean time, a sibling train, Dolce Vita Orient Express, will debut in Italy in April. CNN's Tamara Hardingham-Gill contributed to this report
CNN
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
The Middle East's first super-luxury train will gleam gold
It's the train set to whisk people across the largest country in the Middle East — and to do so in style, according to the designs that have just been released. Saudi Arabia's Dream of the Desert train, which is slated to hit the rails next year, is set to be the region's first five-star luxury train, and the first renderings for the 14 carriages have finally been unveiled. A joint project between Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and Arsenale S.p.A., the Italian luxury brand, the train is due to launch around fall 2026. It has been designed by Aline Asmar d'Amman, an architect and designer whose Culture in Architecture studio is based between Paris and Beirut. The idea is to amp up the luxury while referencing Saudi culture and heritage — including motifs from destinations like AlUla, Madain Saleh and Hail — within the design. The overall tone is suitably sandy, with golds, beiges and darker tones coupled with chrome fittings reflecting the desert views outside. Reception lounges have been given the feel of a majlis — the room in a Saudi home where guests are welcomed — and include geometric patterns and hand-carved wooden elements. Bedrooms, meanwhile, have a richer feel, with a hint of Art Deco styling in the emerald-colored sofas, headboards and drapes, as well as the clean lines and wood-paneled walls. The attention to detail extends to the public areas. Artworks and photographs of Saudi cultural sites will adorn the corridors, while the train exterior will be a burnished chrome with accents of violet. The train will have 34 suites across 14 carriages, while the restaurant menu will be curated by 'local and international chefs,' according to the press release accompanying the renderings. The route will go from Riyadh across SAR's Northern Railway network. In a partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Culture there will be 'curated cultural programs' for guests as well as 'unique tourism itineraries that integrate seamlessly with the train journey' — though no details have yet been revealed. SAR previously said in a press release that the Dream of the Desert will operate 'luxury train cruise' journeys from the capital city of Riyadh to Qurayyat, which is situated close to the northern border with Jordan. The 1,300-kilometer route will take in the country's desert landscapes, and stop at the city of Hail on one- and two-night trips. Calling it 'an unparalleled travel experience,' Paolo Barletta, Arsenale Group's CEO, said in a statement that the train will be a 'fully immersive experience.' Dream of the Desert is currently slated to debut at the end of the third quarter of 2026. In the mean time, a sibling train, Dolce Vita Orient Express, will debut in Italy in April. CNN's Tamara Hardingham-Gill contributed to this report
CNN
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
The Middle East's first super-luxury train will gleam gold
It's the train set to whisk people across the largest country in the Middle East — and to do so in style, according to the designs that have just been released. Saudi Arabia's Dream of the Desert train, which is slated to hit the rails next year, is set to be the region's first five-star luxury train, and the first renderings for the 14 carriages have finally been unveiled. A joint project between Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and Arsenale S.p.A., the Italian luxury brand, the train is due to launch around fall 2026. It has been designed by Aline Asmar d'Amman, an architect and designer whose Culture in Architecture studio is based between Paris and Beirut. The idea is to amp up the luxury while referencing Saudi culture and heritage — including motifs from destinations like AlUla, Madain Saleh and Hail — within the design. The overall tone is suitably sandy, with golds, beiges and darker tones coupled with chrome fittings reflecting the desert views outside. Reception lounges have been given the feel of a majlis — the room in a Saudi home where guests are welcomed — and include geometric patterns and hand-carved wooden elements. Bedrooms, meanwhile, have a richer feel, with a hint of Art Deco styling in the emerald-colored sofas, headboards and drapes, as well as the clean lines and wood-paneled walls. The attention to detail extends to the public areas. Artworks and photographs of Saudi cultural sites will adorn the corridors, while the train exterior will be a burnished chrome with accents of violet. The train will have 34 suites across 14 carriages, while the restaurant menu will be curated by 'local and international chefs,' according to the press release accompanying the renderings. The route will go from Riyadh across SAR's Northern Railway network. In a partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Culture there will be 'curated cultural programs' for guests as well as 'unique tourism itineraries that integrate seamlessly with the train journey' — though no details have yet been revealed. SAR previously said in a press release that the Dream of the Desert will operate 'luxury train cruise' journeys from the capital city of Riyadh to Qurayyat, which is situated close to the northern border with Jordan. The 1,300-kilometer route will take in the country's desert landscapes, and stop at the city of Hail on one- and two-night trips. Calling it 'an unparalleled travel experience,' Paolo Barletta, Arsenale Group's CEO, said in a statement that the train will be a 'fully immersive experience.' Dream of the Desert is currently slated to debut at the end of the third quarter of 2026. In the mean time, a sibling train, Dolce Vita Orient Express, will debut in Italy in April. CNN's Tamara Hardingham-Gill contributed to this report
