A Better Way to Get There

The Palm enRoute Awards in Mobility Design 2007 were created to showcase innovative ideas that will help Canadians live better, smarter and faster when they travel. Both established designers and future design stars answered our call for original, creative concepts that were guided by the theme of mobility, from reinvented suitcases to next-generation hotels. See below for the winning entries selected by our jury.

The Grand Prize winner receives $6,000, airfare and accommodation for three nights at the Orchard Hotel in San Francisco, a meeting with the Palm design team and registration fees for the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design conference. The three runners-up each receive a Treo smartphone equipped with a Palm GPS.

THE JURY

SYLVIE BERKOWICZ is a design fanatic and an accomplished design writer, editor and television director. She is the editor-in-chief of the online newsletter Créativité Montréal, and contributes to magazines like Azure, Intérieurs and Atmosphères.

WILLIAM GIBSON is renowned for his futuristic novels. (His latest, Spook Country, is out now.) Gibson, who has an honorary doctorate from the Parsons New School of Design, coined the term “cyberspace.

RICH GIOSCIA is the director of Palm Design. His designers are responsible for designing all Palm-branded devices, including the Treo smartphone, on which his team is currently working. Gioscia holds more than 25 patents for his designs.

ERIK MOHR is creative director of Spafax Canada. His work has been recognized by the Society of Publication Designers, the Canadian National Magazine Awards, Magazines du Québec, Applied Arts and the Advertising & Design Club of Canada.

MICHAEL MOSKOWITZ is the president of Americas International, Palm Inc., this contest’s sponsor and a leading manufacturer of PDAs. A recipient of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 award, he holds an MBA from Dalhousie University.

KARIM RASHID is a renowned industrial designer and an enRoute contributor. His clients include Umbra, Issey Miyake, Prada, Nambé, Magis, Method, Dirt Devil and Alessi. His boutique, Karim Rashid Shop, is located in New York.

Pilot

Mylène Benoit

The concept Two designs for departure lounge seats – dubbed Cabin and Crew – make waiting for a flight more comfortable. The chairs can be aligned in rows or clustered together to fit perfectly in any space. The Cabin seat is conducive to relaxation and conversation; the Crew seat is best for impromptu meetings and catching up on work. According to Benoit, when compared to a traditional departure lounge, Pilot offers 18 percent more seats, 20 percent more space per seat, 36 percent more seat availability and five times as many tables.

The designer Recognized for her student work, Mylène Benoit is an emerging furniture designer. An internship at Groupe Lacasse gave this 2006 Université de Montréal industrial design grad insight into product development. Benoit is studying for a management diploma.

What the jury said

“Applies the design logic of first-class cabins to the entire departure lounge. Most impressive, though I’d have to sit in it to have a sense of its psychological effect.”
– William Gibson

“The designs are modern and clean, and there has been a great deal of thought put into the material and shape of every seat. As a frequent flyer, I appreciate the design and I’m excited to see the first airport to implement this configuration.”
– Michael Moskowitz

“Provides a clever solution to enhance your experience while being mobile in groups or alone. I find the solution extremely inviting. It creates a dynamic environment while in transit.”
– Rich Gioscia

SleepingBagDress

Ana Rewakowicz

The concept The SleepingBagDress is a kimono-style outfit that inflates to become a cylindrical tent, large enough for two people. A computerized ventilator, equipped with a solar-powered NiMH battery, inflates and deflates this radically imaginative prototype, which explores themes of portability and self-sufficiency. Remarkably comfortable whether it’s used for clothing or shelter, Rewakowicz’s SleepingBagDress has been exhibited around the world, from Mexico to Belgium.

The designer Born in Poland and of Ukrainian descent, this artist and researcher now lives in Montreal. Adapting to new cultures has informed her projects, which often feature inflatable materials. She explores the relationship between mobile architecture, the body and the environment, and has presented her clothing, installations and public performances in the U.S., France and Germany.

What the jury said

“Fantastic project. The language, the feeling, the performance, the esthetics, the sensibility are all one. That is what great design is: a holistic approach, beauty and intelligence that are seamless. Love it.”
– Karim Rashid

“An amusing and provocative concept for ‘homeless’ travellers. The theme is taken literally here. The idea is thought-provoking and the actual object is well designed. The performance side is equally interesting.”
– Sylvie Berkowicz

“Truly fantastic, futuristic and practical. I want one! This is a wonderful example of designers really rethinking mobility and interacting with our surroundings in an ever-changing global community. Excellent.”
– Erik Mohr

(re)fuel

Figure3

The concept Though only 150 square feet, this compact, well-designed and uncluttered room would provide a haven for travellers right in the terminal. Necessities are covered with a foldaway bed, a stocked mini-fridge and a personal office, while technological add-ons include a built-in cellphone, an electronic agenda and other Bluetooth-enabled gadgets for an interactive digital experience. (The central sound system can even update you on your flight schedule.) A wall doubles as a projection screen so that one of 10,000 movies can lull you to sleep.

The designer Toronto’s Figure3 design studio creates office, retail and public spaces that reflect the brand or culture of each client. Its team comprises decor, interior design and environmental design specialists, including Cara McBride, Anthony Orasi, Jackie Prawecki, Angela Stinson and Steve Tsai – the collaborators on this project.

What the jury said

“I really like the virtual concierge service in this concept and would love to have this on my next business trip. Often I am stuck in some country when my flight is delayed and wish I could have this hotel-like luxury at various airports.”
– Michael Moskowitz

“How many times have I wanted one of these? Many! Very attractive and very much not a capsule hotel.”
– William Gibson

“I completely empathize with the need and find many of the services truly beneficial. Interesting take on providing solitude  and ‘refuelling’ while being mobile.”
– Rich Gioscia

Honourable Mention

24h

Alexandre Berthiaume

The concept These modular suitcases can be attached, detached or manipulated to adapt to anything from a one-day meeting out of town to a week on the beach. The base unit, a carry-on-size case, is suitable for a 24-hour trip and can be converted into a backpack or briefcase. The multifunctional device is made of Curv (Propex Fabrics), a new durable and ultralight polypropylene material.

The designer With an architecture diploma from Université Laval, Alexandre Berthiaume founded FUTIL Design to showcase his furniture, lighting, multimedia and graphic design projects. He’s shown his work in the U.S. and France and won second prize for his Flexx lamp at the Montreal International Interior Design Show.

What the jury said

“An effective and simple idea. It has a clear and coherent intention that seems to work well on a practical level.”
– Sylvie Berkowicz

“This is a creative way to add flexibility to travel. Sleek design and different carrying options give travellers lots of flexibility. The modular approach looks simple to use, and the industrial design looks durable for heavy travel.”
– Michael Moskowitz

“This is a great system. It is smart, simple and completely necessary. The material resolution, scale and design are well executed… a great project.”
– Karim Rashid

Write to us: letters@enroutemag.net

Time to start thinking about next year’s competition. For rules and the registration deadline for the 2008 awards or to see other submissions from this year’s competition, go to enroutemag.com/design.