Commune (designers)

Commune Design Logo

Commune is a design studio in Los Angeles, USA, founded in 2004. They focus on architecture, interior design, graphic design, product design, and brand management.[1] The firm, best known for the design of the Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs, has designed residential, commercial and hospitality projects worldwide, home and lifestyle products, and graphic and branding concepts for the fashion, arts and entertainment industries.

About

Founded by Roman Alonso, Steven Johanknecht, Pamela Shamshiri, and Roman Shamshiri, the studio is noted for its eclectic assemblages[2] inspired by their surroundings and historical design movements. Commune's work has been featured in Architectural Digest (US, France), Vogue Living (Australia), House Beautiful, Elle Décor (US, Italy, UK), Vanity Fair, Casa Brutus, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Metropolis.

Commune's design process focuses on "enhancing image though design."[2][3][4] "If there's one Commune signature, it's that we like to use materials that are raw, untampered-with, in their pure state," says Pamela Shamshiri. "We strive to acquire pieces that look like our client's collection, not like it was pulled together in six months."[5]

Collaborations

[6]

Since its inception, Commune has collaborated with California artists and craftsmen on projects including ceramicist Stan Bitters, sculptor Alma Allen, textile artist Tanya Aguiñiga, and graphic artist and director Mike Mills.

Commune has collaborated with Heath Ceramics on the design of products, as well as the design of retail stores in Los Angeles and in San Francisco's historic Ferry Building. Commune is designing the interiors for a 60,000 square foot building that will house Heath's tile production factory, as well as a retail store, café, gallery and showroom space.

Commune has collaborated with Japanese company Landscape Products on Pop Tour 2012, creating a specialty tea blend and cookie recipe featuring California ingredients as well as a tote bag, an apron, and a series of thumbprint posters. 100% of the profits go to founder of Landscape Products, Shin Nakahara's relief project for tsunami victims in Onagawa.[7]

Commune's products are the result of their collaborations with designers and artisans such as Victoria Morris, ER Butler, Michael Schmidt, Simon & Niki Haas, Margo Victor, Monique Van Genderen, and Alice Springs.

Awards

Commune were the recipient of the 2015 Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award for their work in interior design[8]

Notable projects

Commercial

Project Location(s) Date Notes
Ace Hotel and Swim ClubPalm Springs2009design of resort including architecture, landscaping, and interiors of hotel, restaurant, bar, and swim club
Alabama ChaninFlorence, AL2009design of brand identity and website
AmmoLos Angeles2004design of restaurant including furniture, identity program, uniforms, menu covers, and tabletop linens
Barneys New YorkNew York City2005development of retail and fixture design for the national rollout of CO/OP brand stores
FarmshopBrentwood, CA2010design of restaurant and market
FarmshopMarin, CA2012 (expected completion)design of restaurant and market
Heath CeramicsLos Angeles2008design of retail space and studio for ceramics manufacturer
Heath CeramicsFerry Building, San Francisco2008design of retail space for ceramics manufacturer
HBO FilmsSanta Monica, CA2008design of identity and branding
Hollywood Trading CompanyHollywood2004design of retail space, identity program, and packaging for clothing and accessories store
Juicy CoutureWorldwide2005–08design of retail stores worldwide including 12,000 square foot Fifth Avenue flagship in Manhattan and retail townhouse on Bruton Street in London
Kiki de MontparnasseNew York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas2006–07design of flagship stores for luxury intimate apparel and erotic accessories
KedsBoston2009redesign of brand identity for American shoe brand
Manifest EqualityLos Angeles,2009graphic identity and exhibition design for marriage equality initiative
Opening CeremonyTokyo2009design of retail concept store for lifestyle brand
Oliver PeoplesNationwide2007–11design of retail store for eyewear company
The Standard HotelsNew York City, Los Angeles, Miami2008–11redesign of spa and retail areas
StilaLos Angeles2004–06design of brand identity and packaging for cosmetics company
UndefeatedLos Angeles and Las Vegas2006–07design of flagship retail stores for urban footwear company

Residential

Project Location(s) Date Notes
Amanda DriveStudio City, CA2012Architect: Rudolf Schindler
Arden BoulevardHollywood2007Architect: Irving Gill
Carnation StreetLos Angeles2008
Catalina StreetLos Angeles2008
Foothill RoadOjai, CA2012Architect: Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey
Nichols CanyonHollywood2010Architect: Buff and Hensman

References

  1. Tyrnauer, Matt (November 2007). "Commune: Private Lives". Vanity Fair.
  2. 1 2 Cerio, Greg (July 2009). "Tastemakers 2009: Commune". Los Angeles Times Magazine.
  3. Carson, Kelly (February 2008). "Commune: Design Firm Commune Collaborates with Oliver Peoples". Malibu Magazine.
  4. Chang, Jade (September 2009). "Mixing It Up". Metropolis Magazine.
  5. Lennon, Christine (October 2009). "Communal Living". C Magazine.
  6. Hobart, Christy (June 2007). "Design Business: Merchants of Chic". House & Garden Magazine.
  7. Martin, Olivia (August 15, 2012). "Commune Design Loves Japan". Dwell Magazine.
  8. "Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum Announces Winners of the 16th Annual National Design Awards". The Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum. May 15, 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-09-05.

External links

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