12th September 2009
~ Design & Technology ~
Designers and Designing
Designers and Designing
Terence Conran (Sir) is one of the world’s best known designers. He opened ‘Habitat’ - a store that heralded the beginning of accessible designs for the home. The opening of these stores saw the general public eagerly buying the products sold there – and in so doing perhaps showing they were becoming more design conscious.
Conran opened the ‘Conran Shop’ on Fulham Road in 1973 and followed that by opening similar stores in Paris, Hamburg, Tokyo, Fukuoka and Melbourne. He has published a number of books on style and furnishings - books that cover not only the record of much of his own work but also that comment on the approach to style.
Conran was also instrumental in establishing of ‘The ‘Design Museum’ which opened at Butler’s Wharf near Tower Bridge in the heart of London. The museum opened in 1989 and was the first design museum in the world. The building now houses a permanent collection of design as well as hosting frequent exhibitions of products, interiors and designs. Frequent lectures by both internationally renowned and aspiring designers are held at the premises
Conran opened the ‘Conran Shop’ on Fulham Road in 1973 and followed that by opening similar stores in Paris, Hamburg, Tokyo, Fukuoka and Melbourne. He has published a number of books on style and furnishings -
Conran was also instrumental in establishing of ‘The ‘Design Museum’ which opened at Butler’s Wharf near Tower Bridge in the heart of London. The museum opened in 1989 and was the first design museum in the world. The building now houses a permanent collection of design as well as hosting frequent exhibitions of products, interiors and designs. Frequent lectures by both internationally renowned and aspiring designers are held at the premises
British airways and Sir Terence Conran redesigned the interior of one of the World’s most recognised aircraft ‘ Concorde’. Prior to its removal from service following the difficulties ensuing the Paris crash, the airline had a schedule of repairs and renovations that would see the aircraft flying into the 21st century - the programme of engineering maintenance ensuring its continued reliability. However the interior was in need of restyling ( seen above ) and this had been achieved with rich red carpets, restyled headrests - based on 1950s sports cars - and with Royal Doulton bone china service - for which Conran has also produced designs. Design and style are integrated in Conran’s approach to design.
