Commune (designers)
Commune is a design studio in Los Angeles, United States, 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
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 Club | Palm Springs | 2009 | design of resort including architecture, landscaping, and interiors of hotel, restaurant, bar, and swim club |
| Alabama Chanin | Florence, AL | 2009 | design of brand identity and website |
| Ammo | Los Angeles | 2004 | design of restaurant including furniture, identity program, uniforms, menu covers, and tabletop linens |
| Barneys New York | New York City | 2005 | development of retail and fixture design for the national rollout of CO/OP brand stores |
| Farmshop | Brentwood, CA | 2010 | design of restaurant and market |
| Farmshop | Marin, CA | 2012 (expected completion) | design of restaurant and market |
| Heath Ceramics | Los Angeles | 2008 | design of retail space and studio for ceramics manufacturer |
| Heath Ceramics | Ferry Building, San Francisco | 2008 | design of retail space for ceramics manufacturer |
| HBO Films | Santa Monica, CA | 2008 | design of identity and branding |
| Hollywood Trading Company | Hollywood | 2004 | design of retail space, identity program, and packaging for clothing and accessories store |
| Juicy Couture | Worldwide | 2005–08 | design of retail stores worldwide including 12,000 square foot Fifth Avenue flagship in Manhattan and retail townhouse on Bruton Street in London |
| Kiki de Montparnasse | New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas | 2006–07 | design of flagship stores for luxury intimate apparel and erotic accessories |
| Keds | Boston | 2009 | redesign of brand identity for American shoe brand |
| Manifest Equality | Los Angeles, | 2009 | graphic identity and exhibition design for marriage equality initiative |
| Opening Ceremony | Tokyo | 2009 | design of retail concept store for lifestyle brand |
| Oliver Peoples | Nationwide | 2007–11 | design of retail store for eyewear company |
| The Standard Hotels | New York City, Los Angeles, Miami | 2008–11 | redesign of spa and retail areas |
| Stila | Los Angeles | 2004–06 | design of brand identity and packaging for cosmetics company |
| Undefeated | Los Angeles and Las Vegas | 2006–07 | design of flagship retail stores for urban footwear company |
Residential
| Project | Location(s) | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amanda Drive | Studio City, CA | 2012 | Architect: Rudolf Schindler |
| Arden Boulevard | Hollywood | 2007 | Architect: Irving Gill |
| Carnation Street | Los Angeles | 2008 | |
| Catalina Street | Los Angeles | 2008 | |
| Foothill Road | Ojai, CA | 2012 | Architect: Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey |
| Nichols Canyon | Hollywood | 2010 | Architect: Buff and Hensman |
References
- ↑ Tyrnauer, Matt (November 2007). "Commune: Private Lives". Vanity Fair.
- 1 2 Cerio, Greg (July 2009). "Tastemakers 2009: Commune". Los Angeles Times Magazine.
- ↑ Carson, Kelly (February 2008). "Commune: Design Firm Commune Collaborates with Oliver Peoples". Malibu Magazine.
- ↑ Chang, Jade (September 2009). "Mixing It Up". Metropolis Magazine.
- ↑ Lennon, Christine (October 2009). "Communal Living". C Magazine.
- ↑ Hobart, Christy (June 2007). "Design Business: Merchants of Chic". House & Garden Magazine.
- ↑ Martin, Olivia (August 15, 2012). "Commune Design Loves Japan". Dwell Magazine.
- ↑ "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.