The Design Dispatch offers expertly written and essential news from the design world crafted by our dedicated team. Think of it as your cheat sheet for the day in design delivered to your inbox before you’ve had your coffee. Subscribe now.
Have a news story our readers need to see? Submit it here
Omet Plants Down Roots in Austin
Lorena Vieyra’s interior design practice has introduced her to a dynamic array of makers in her home base of Mexico City. But the decorated founder of Vieyra Estudio sought to bring together the skilled artisans of her network—especially those embodying Mexico’s distinctive culture and heritage—to create something bigger. That resulted in the launch of Omet, a new e-commerce platform presenting an expertly curated selection of collectible furniture and objects by makers across Mexico and Latin America. The brand staged a pop-up during this year’s NYCxDesign but recently inaugurated its first permanent retail space in Austin.
According to Vieyra, the Texas capital is an ideal place for Omet to plant down roots. “Austin is a vibrant city with a design scene that continues to grow,” she says. “The city is a place for Omet to collaborate with local designers and creatives, and introduce our unique designs to enthusiasts.” Those include more than 50 pieces by the likes of Pedro Reyes, Héctor Esrawe, Raúl de la Cerda, Marisol Centeno, and Simón Hamui arrayed in artful vignettes across the 2,500-square-foot space at the heart of Austin’s thriving design scene. It’s also a thrilling moment for Vieyra—she’s introducing her first product line. —Ryan Waddoups
The John Morden Centre. Photography by Jim Stephenson…
Mae Architects has been honored with the 2023 Stirling Prize by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for their work on the John Morden Centre, a senior daycare and medical complex in Blackheath. The London firm’s design was praised for addressing issues of loneliness and isolation among the elderly and for promoting healthier and more independent lives within a vibrant community. The use of cross-laminated timber as the primary structural material created a warm and well-lit interior, aligning with the project’s sustainability goals.
Louis Vuitton’s foray into the sports arena is expanding as the Louis Vuitton-sponsored America’s Cup is set to commence in Barcelona next August, following the LVMH-sponsored Summer Olympics in Paris. The America’s Cup, renowned as the world’s premier sailing yacht competition, had last received Louis Vuitton’s sponsorship in 2017. Notably, Louis Vuitton had also backed the Louis Vuitton Cup, determining the America’s Cup challenger since 1983, until Prada took over as the main sponsor in 2017. The reasons for Louis Vuitton’s return to the sailing world remain undisclosed. The collaboration aims to garner greater recognition for the sport, particularly among younger audiences. As part of its broader involvement in sports, Louis Vuitton will also provide trophy trunks for both events.
The Detroit Music Hall. Image courtesy of Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects…
The Detroit Music Hall, a Motor City landmark designed by renowned firm Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls, celebrated its centenary in 2019. Saved from near-demolition in the 1960s, the building underwent a successful restoration effort the following decade. Now, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects is designing a $122 million addition including a seven-story, 108,000-square-foot building with a state-of-the-art concert hall, a recital hall with natural lighting, office space, a welcome center, a rooftop restaurant, and a music academy for 5,000 students. The scheme incorporates customizable LED lighting, a distinctive perforated metal facade, and an alley for outdoor activities and community events. Music Hall Center is expected to open in fall 2026.
Four artists originally invited to participate in the 18th Istanbul Biennial next year have withdrawn due to a dispute over the appointment of Iwona Blazwick as curator for the 2024 edition by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and the Arts. In a statement, the artists—Ates Alpar, Bengü Karaduman, Kerem Ozan Bayraktar, and Yasam Sasmazer—expressed their concern that the controversy did not create a conducive environment for art production and sharing. The controversy arose when İKSV rejected the advisory board’s recommendation of Turkish curator Defne Ayas and appointed Blazwick instead. The artists hope their decision will promote transparency and freedom of artistic expression in the institutional culture.
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and the Oakland-based Creative Growth Art Center are teaming up in a new partnership. SFMOMA plans to acquire more than 100 works associated with Creative Growth, Creativity Explored, and Nurturing Independence through Artistic Development as part of the initiative. This collaboration coincides with Creative Growth’s 50th anniversary and aims to spotlight artworks by individuals with disabilities, with plans for exhibitions, live events, and commissions over the next three years.
