Omer just had one hell of a week! He has been awarded the Ronald J. Thom Award for Early Design Achievement (awarded by the Canadian Arts Council) and the World Architecture Festival shortlisted Arbel’s 23.2 House design.
Listen to a recent interview with Omer re: these achievements and more; here
Congratulations Omer
The 22 series is a range of electrical wall accessories, which reinterpret a traditional product. An innovative installation system allows mounting of elements like ports, dimmers, switches, telephone and data jacks, or cable and loudspeaker ports flush to walls or wood panels. Using traditional cover plates is no longer necessary. In an unobtrusive and aesthetic way the elements integrate harmoniously into the architecture. The 22 system is CSA approved to UL standards.
red dot award 2009 > product design > architecture and interior design > switches
via red dot
2008
Available through bocci
Since 1954, the I.D. Annual Design Review has recognized the best in product, furniture, graphic, and environment design, from the iconic to the obscure. For 2009, Bocci’s 22 has been awarded for design distinction in the furniture category (not sure if it is furniture though? – whatever). Here is what the judges had to say:
“This is just beautifully made,” said Breitling of Omer Arbel’s 22 series of interior wall accessories.
Created to be flush-mounted into drywall or millwork without the need for cover plates. Arbel’s design transforms the standard three-pronged power receptacle into a grinning anthropomorphized character if clustered in groups. Alternatively, when scattered sparingly, the seamless socket can evoke a more simple, stripped-down aesthetic.
The three jurors also raved about the 22’s stainless steel removal tool, which extracts the sockets in case the outlet needs rewiring. “This has to be the best accessory ever,” noted Oliver, tool in hand.
Bocci is a contemporary design and manufacturing house located in Vancouver, Canada. I worked as the lead industrial designer on this project under the creative direction of Omer Arbel – he is also a good of friend mine.
A video from ICFF 2008 – the launch of the 22
via core77