We’ve got soft at VISI. Round, and a bit curvy. For this issue, at least, we’ve left behind the rigid geometry and form-follows-function minimalism of Neo-modernist design for something altogether more organic.
Yes, we’ve taken off our shoes and reconnected with the earth. But not in a hippie way. Obviously.
The “Shaped by Nature” theme of VISI #140 is rooted in fluid forms, natural materials, and an appreciation for the landscape and its asymmetry. From the homes and lodges we photographed to the interior design we feature, we’re celebrating nature’s balance of function, beauty and organic flow. Okay, that does sound hippie-ish – but it’s less about tie-dye, drum circles and topknots, and more about design that reconnects with nature in our very uncertain world.
Our features on Suyian Lodge in Kenya and the Ekipa pod in Namibia may look very different, but both ultimately take inspiration from natural forms. Even a house that’s about as Neo-modernist as it gets – the Invisible House – has had an interior makeover to soften the right angles of its exterior.
This design inspiration is nothing new and, as we always seek to do at VISI, we have to look backwards to understand the roots of current trends. So check out the wonderful 1960s bubble house on page 126 – this one was owned by an actual hippie, who sold it to fund a pilgrimage to Tibet.
Organic influences are reflected in the work of this issue’s furniture designers too. Guru Adam Court’s Repose sofa is inspired by the shape of the human body. Our Rising Star Oageng Manana’s pieces favour curves over straight lines as an expression of a modern African aesthetic. Even one of the key trends in our 40-page VISI Kitchens special section talks about organic textures, earthy tones, and incorporating materials such as wood in the hub of the home.
So yes, this is an issue most definitely shaped by nature. Speaking of which, to mitigate my rather snippy anti-hippie jibes, I should probably admit one thing before signing off… I once had long hair, a wardrobe full of tie-dye and a collection of vintage bandanas. In my defence, I was a student. And I always wore shoes.
– Steve Smith, Editor | [email protected]
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