ML - Maison & Objet Americas

Maison & Objet Americas - 2016 - Issue 1

MAISON&OBJET Americas

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Moder nit y has been g radua lly degenerat ing into g ratuitous exubera nce. We a re going t hrough a pullback a nd returning to the original tenets of modernism, wherein austerity and simplicity were virtues. I would call this "lean architecture," where a lot is achieved with little means. Beauty and functionality are finding each other again. Gulla Jónsdót tir Icelandic-born Gulla Jónsdóttir studied mathematics in Iceland, then moved to Los Angeles to pursue her interest in architecture. Inspired by organic forms found in the natural world, she designs striking interiors that balance beauty and functionality. Her recent work includes the interiors of Le Grand Restaurant, Jean-Francois Piége's new eatery in Paris, which has just earned its second Michelin star. And she and her firm—founded in 2009 —have plans for future projects in Lebanon, Mexico, China, and the Bahamas. Jónsdóttir's work touches every aspect of design, including architecture, interiors, graphic design, product design, and brand management. From rooftop lounges to tequilerias, she always finds just the right tone in her overall design. How has your past shaped your professional present? Growing up in the dramatic landscape of Iceland has inspired me to create unexpected and poetic modern architec- ture and interior spaces. The juxtaposition of light and dark and of feminine and masculine is drawn from the contrasts of a black beach next to a white glacier next to a hot spring. How does where you call home inspire your creative practice? I am interested in creating sensual and dynamic forms that work in harmony with their surroundings. I have an envi- ronmental compassion that relates to my home base of Los Angeles, and I like to bring unique spatial experiences that respond to nature, always echoing the integration of organic beauty and function. What is your prediction for the evolution and future of design? I think it will be more timeless and honest design reflecting the surrounding environment. The use of natural, sus- tainable materials will increase, and artistic, sculptural spaces that reflect movement and appeal to all five senses of the human body will be dominant. Icelandic designer Gulla Jónsdóttir was inspired by a white rose, the symbol of peace, when she created Mhanna, a multilevel restaurant and beach club overlooking the Mediterranean in Beirut. m a i s o n - o b j e t. c o m 47

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