Barovier&Toso in Venice, Italy. Photography by Max Rommel…
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
An Italian Glassmaking House Plants a Flag in Venice
Taking residence on Calle Larga XXII Marzo, Venice’s illustrious high-end shopping artery, is the newly unveiled boutique of Barovier&Toso, a beacon of Italian glassblowing artistry whose heritage stretches back to the 1200s. This miniature jewel of a shop, designed by Nichetto Studio, spotlights decorative pieces like vases and table lamps.
Anchored in a neoclassical monument aesthetic, the interior employs liberal use of rough travertine and a harmonious medley of Venetian terrazzo and smoothed concrete. It’s a space where the past and present collide—much like the city it calls home. Expect more outposts from the brand in China (Shenzen and Shanghai) and New Delhi later this year. —Nate Storey
“Negative Space (STSc1-2015-02)”(2023) by Mungo Thomson at the new Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill Station in Los Angeles. Image courtesy of the artist and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority…
Los Angeles welcomes three underground metro stations filled with site-specific art.
Los Angeles has unveiled three new underground metro stations as part of the Regional Connector project, each featuring one-of-a-kind artworks commissioned through the Metro Art program. The stations, namely Little Tokyo/Arts District, Historic Broadway, and Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill, showcase diverse pieces by Clare Rojas, Audrey Chan, Andrea Bowers, Mark Steven Greenfield, Clarence Williams, Ursula Rucker, Ann Hamilton, Mungo Thomson, and Pearl C. Hsiung. The artworks aim to reflect the city’s culture, history, and the diverse communities it serves, enriching the experience for straphangers.
Aurora James is launching an $850 million fund to support Black-owned businesses.
Aurora James, the founder of high-end shoe label Brother Vellies, faced difficulties securing funding for her business. To address this issue for other Black founders, the Fifteen Percent Pledge founder has partnered with Alisa Williams of VMG Partners to launch the Friends and Family Collective, an $850 million fund dedicated to supporting Black-owned businesses. The fund has already invested $25 million in brands such as Ghetto Gastro, Beauty Stat, Melanin Hair Care, Proudly, and Danessa Myricks. James aims to provide financial support and a team of advisors to help these founders succeed, believing that thriving Black-owned businesses contribute to the economy and offer consumers diverse product choices.
Tane Garden House at the Vitra Campus. Photography by Julien Lanoo…
The Vitra Campus unveils a hut-like structure by Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects.
During Art Basel, the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein, Germany, revealed the Tane Garden House as its latest addition. Designed by Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects, the compact wooden hut-like structure measures 161 square feet and can accommodate eight people. Built using sustainable techniques and local resources, the hut’s cozy interior features a viewing platform, outdoor seating, and a small fountain, serving as a meeting room and workshop space for gardening and culinary activities on the Vitra Campus.
Google Lens is now offering a visual search function to help identify skin conditions.
Google Lens, known for identifying plants and birds, is now offering a visual search function that can serve as a preliminary skin check tool. Users can take a photo or upload an image, and Lens will provide image-based links that match the visual characteristics. While not a substitute for medical screening, this feature can help users search for skin conditions they may not have the right words to describe, making it easier to narrow down search results and alleviate the hassle of browsing through countless images.
Pharrell and Sarah Andelman curate a Joopiter auction of furniture and fashion.
The digital-first auction house Joopiter is hosting its third auction, called “Just Phriends,” curated by Pharrell Williams and Sarah Andelman. The auction brings together cultural artifacts from the worlds of art, watchmaking, and music, featuring collaborations with artists such as Takashi Murakami, Kaws, and Daniel Arsham, as well as brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. The diverse lots include pieces created specifically for the event, showcasing a range of creativity and historical significance, including artwork, trophies, and custom items.
Magdalena Abakanowicz’s Google Doodle…
Today’s attractive distractions:
Gas stations have caused a $20 billion toxic mess—and it’s not over yet.
According to a hotel manager, avoid these in-room items at your next stay.
