This year the Noho Design District will focus on becoming an incubator for new ideas and emerging talents, the beginning of a commitment to a more organic, experimental experience geared toward creativity. Noho Design District will run from May 15-18, concurrent with International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF). Following in the footsteps of Soho and the Meatpacking District, Noho Design District gives New York residents and the US and international design world a new area to explore.

We were invited by curators Monica Khemsurov and Jill Singer of Sight Unseen, our school chairs will be part of a display at Billy Reid (54 Bond Street) and we will be in town for the weekend to explore the events. We’re looking forward to checking out Stephen Burk’s readymade pop-up store, sure to be a highlight of the Noho Design District.

Saturday, May 15th to Tuesday, May 18th
Neighborhood-wide kickoff party Saturday, May 15th, 7–10 pm

– Architect Todd Saunders approaching Artist Residence Studio –

In February the Brothers Dressler were invited to Fogo Island, Newfoundland to participate in an inspiring project underway there. Nonprofit Shorefast Foundation has partnered with the people of Fogo and Change Islands in an effort to revitalize their economy and community by building studios for an artist residency program and a 29 room inn. Designed by our friend, Canadian/Norwegian architect Todd Saunders, and Nick Herder and with an emphasis on geotourism they are hoping to entice an international clientele to experience the traditions, culture and incredible beauty that make outport island of Fogo the distinct area that it is. Revitalization will grow from using as many local craftspeople, builders and as much local material as possible in the development of this unique destination.

“Exploring the Aesthetics of Outport Interiors is an experimental art/design project, a workshop designed to develop ideas for contemporary furniture and interiors inspired by traditional Outport living conditions and reality”.

16 designers/artists and an anthropologist were invited to take part in investigating Outport interiors through a series of lectures, exercises and exploration of the island. Brothers Dressler were invited to speak at the workshop and show examples of the value and potential we see in all material while also investigating the potential existent on the island for local and reclaimed materials and resources.

– Workshop participants visit the future site of the 29 room inn –

We had a tremendous experience being part of the project. We showed the participants examples of our work and explained how it relates to the ideas of local fabrication, reclaiming of materials and repurposing. Fellow speakers included Droog design alumni Frank Tjepkema of Tjep in the Netherlands, Walter Peddle, an expert on Outport furniture and Mike Patterson a fine woodworker from Newfoundland building traditional furniture responsibly on the East coast.

– Mike Patterson (L) and Lars Dressler (R) visit the workshop of extraordinary boat builder Jim Edwards (C) on Change Islands –

We went to the small workshops of many local furniture and boat builders, who were building skiffs and punts using traditional techniques passed down for generations, truly an inspiration to see. Shorefast has been instrumental in helping this nearly lost art reemerge into the culture of the islands.

– Carpenter’s Workshop, Change Islands –

Located in the chilly waters of the North Atlantic picturesque, resourceful and exceedingly friendly villages dot Fogo and Change Islands. This is a place of icebergs and caribou where fishing is, and always has been, a way of life. Remnants of the past, including wooden boats (punts) and fishing stages, pepper the coastline. The remote location and harsh climate have created an inherent resourcefulness in life lived on Fogo and Change Islands, evident in the people’s approach and character.

– Characteristic seaside community, Change Islands –

This preliminary workshop was a great success and hopefully many of the excellent ideas and designs conceived and prototyped by the participants will come to fruition in the final project. We hope to continue to be involved in the project and will keep you posted on its progress. 

The onedge rocker and branches chandelier (also recently featured on the DX blog) will be included in the upcoming Design Exchange exhibit Bent Out of Shape “which celebrates Canada’s rich industrial design history from 1945 to the present.  The exhibition is devoted to showing the Design Exchange’s permanent collection through the lens of material, method, technology, identity and transformation.  In doing so Bent Out of Shape will illustrate rapid political, technological, and social changes which burst forth following the war and moving toward modernity.”

July 16-October 10, 2010
The Design Exchange
Exhibition Hall
234 Bay Street
South of King Street in the historic Toronto Stock Exchange building

The May 2010 issue of Azure Magazine features the School Chair in its coverage of what stood out from the rest at this year’s IDS. View PDF.

Our salvaged school chairs won Best Collection at the Studio North exhibit.

We’re very happy to celebrate the opening of Boehmer this past weekend. Make sure to stop in soon for a spectacular dining experience. Boehmer is open 6 days a week for dinner, Monday – Saturday.
Here are some early reviews:
Design Lines
Martini Boys
Compendium Daily
National Post

93-95 Ossington Avenue
416 531 3800
www.boehmer.ca

After months of anticipation we are pleased to announce the unveiling of Boehmer Restaurant on Ossington. We will be celebrating the imminent opening this Thursday and Friday evenings, March 11 and 12.

The interior is a collaboration between Paul Boehmer, Roy Banse Design and Brothers Dressler. We have designed and produced many of the interior elements with a focus on reclaimed and local material including the bar, harvest table, deuces, private dining area, school chairs, branches chandelier, bottle farms, bathroom stalls and the exterior facade.

Also on Thursday is the official opening of Kelly Clipperton’s new photo exhibit ‘Order Will Keep You Calm’.

Join us Thursday March 11th  from 7pm and/or Friday March 12 from 6pm
93-95 Ossington Avenue

Canadian Designers and Artists Come Together in Edmonton to raise funds and awareness in Alberta’s only Art and Design Haiti Benefit.

We will be joining over 70 Canadian and international visual artists, designers, photographers, illustrators, and craft artists offering works of art for a charity silent auction at Enterprise Square (10230 Jasper Avenue) March 4th between 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

We are participating in a group show featuring unique and limited edition lighting works by Zac Ridgely, Michael Greenwood, Matthew Hunter, Bradley Denton, Vanessa Li, and Alex Jowett.  Also on display is a unique suite of photos by acclaimed Australian photographer Dean West.

Opening party Thursday February 25th from 7-10pm
Atelier 688
688 Richmond Street West Unit 201

Montreal newspaper La Presse ran a comprehensive spread on the IDS and associated events last weekend - view the PDF.

We are very proud to have won Best Collection of Studio North Limited Edition at this year’s Interior Design Show for our School Chair. See the Globe + Mail’s list of highlights here.