NEW YORK, May 15, 2010 - Urbancase, a Seattle-based furniture design and build firm founded in 2002 by Darin Montgomery, is launching a new collection of furniture and lighting at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York May 15-18. The four pieces in the series include The Ledge, a multi-functional wall-mounted furniture unit; the One-by-One Chair; The Emergency Cocktail Station; and the Mantis lamp. The collection is united by careful consideration of materials and method, waste reduction and a focus on creating furniture for small living spaces.
“Urbancase is based on a design philosophy that objects should contribute to a simpler, pared back lifestyle with an emphasis on aesthetic elements and functionality. While we understand everything we do has an impact on our environment, we make informed decisions about the materials and methods we use,” Montgomery says.
The Ledge, which Montgomery created together with designer Trey Jones, is a multi-functional, wall-mounted furniture unit that can be used as a writing desk, stereo/turntable cabinet, or media center. As a starting point, Jones and Montgomery wanted to devise an innovative way to conceal cords.
“The Ledge was designed from the inside out, starting with cord management. We also wanted to create a compact profile and a way to hide the work area. The curved corners soften the piece and give it a little movement. The pullout shelf can handle a laptop or keyboard and when used as a stereo cabinet or entertainment system, you can tuck your electronics away. This wasn't designed for someone who has 10,000 records or a 47" television, but for someone who enjoys playing a little vinyl while having coffee on a Saturday morning,” Montgomery says.
The Ledge is available in oil-rubbed solid walnut or painted formaldehyde-free MDF. Standard features include a pullout shelf/work station, cord/power strip storage, drawer with soft close mechanism, a pencil tray, and mounting hardware.
Montgomery and Jones also collaborated in the design of the One-by-One Chair, which features a frame made from solid walnut and aluminum that uses uses no piece of wood larger than 1" x 1". The seat covers are made from remnants of German army surplus blankets.
“We approached the chair with the idea of using less material, which led to the development of the aluminum joint between the seat and back,” Montgomery says.
Montgomery is also presenting the Emergency Cocktail Station, a wall-mounted cocktail bar with a drop down work table and all of the implements necessary for mixing your favorite drink (alcohol not included). The piece was inspired by the romantic notion of having a cocktail before or after dinner in a more relaxed setting than the kitchen. The unit is made from painted formaldehyde-free MDF and the door features a soft open mechanism.
The final product in the new urbancase series is the Mantis, a prototype LED lamp made of machined aluminum and steel. The Mantis, which resembles the insect of the same name, is a multi-positional lamp adjusted through a series of friction joints. Montgomery designed the piece after coming across an advertisement from the 1950s that depicted an unknown lamp with almost cartoonish features.
All urbancase products are handmade in the United States using high quality components and hardware. FSC-certified lumber, formaldehyde-free MDF, and low VOC finishes are used when possible.
CONTACT
For interviews, please contact Darin Montgomery at 206 853 6822 or HYPERLINK "mailto:info@urbancase.com"info@urbancase.com. See urbancase.com for more projects and information about the company. Urbancase is located at booth 843 at ICFF.
ABOUT URBANCASE
Darin Montgomery founded urbancase in 2002 based on the idea of creating furniture and objects for small living spaces. 2010 marks the fourth year the company is exhibiting at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. Their designs have been recognized in American and European press, including the New York Times, Dwell Magazine, Seattle Homes and Lifestyles, and ICON magazine. In addition to furniture, urbancase has collaborated on public art installations as well as restaurant, retail, and residential design projects.
ABOUT TREY JONES
Trey Jones obtained a BFA in furniture design from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Since graduating, he has been a part of multiple design and art exhibitions, including ICFF and Artopia. In 2006, he moved to Seattle and started a furniture design studio.
