Although the majority of Ron Arad‘s work could squash most of Isamu Noguchi’s, he played fair and held back from producing a Well-Tempered chair, preferring instead to work on variations in plastic.

Despite some good Infinity Bottle Rack, Lovely Rita and Bookworm work for Kartell, Isamu Noguchi‘s constantly high standard Akari lamp variations held the Israeli at bay and the final 0:0 was a just result.

The Group C table and all Group C results can be found here.

The first meeting between Jasper Morrison and Isamu Noguchi proved to be a truly one-sided affair; a result that although deserved, seemed unfair on the old master of Japanese design.
Despite a few brave forays with his coffee table or rocking stools, Isamu Noguchi was unable to get away from his Akari Lamp stereotype.
Jasper Morrison was more than able to profit from Noguchi’s alleged monotypology and through some clever chair and crockery combinations was soon leading 4:0.
Towards the end of the contest Jasper Morrison picked up a deserved yellow card for some nasty work for Established and Sons, his victory however was never in doubt.

The Group C table and all Group C results can be found here.

On account of the horrendous hotel prices demanded during design week the (smow)blog team camp in Milan.
And that despite last years near-drowning episode.

This year the decision was a real blessing.

Spared the torment of those trapped by Eyjafjallajokull at Milan Airport our return journey this year took us via Weil am Rhein, Vitra and the VitraHaus.

What a difference the weather makes!

When we were there for the opening in February architect Jacques Herzog commented, somewhat solemnly, that the snow and grey clouds shrouded the constructions true grandeur.

Having now experienced the VitraHaus against a clear blue spring sky, and for all with the wonderful cherry blossom, we can now fully understand what he meant. And his emotions that day.

But not just the outside. Seeing the inside of the VitraHaus alive with “real” visitors rather than journalists was also to experience the building in a completely different context.

As ever an experience we can only recommend.

Below a few new VitraHaus photos.

VitraHaus Weil am Rhein; A place to explore designer furniture

VitraHaus, Weil am Rhein

Relaxing at the foot of the Tüllinger Hill, from inside the VitraHaus

VitraHaus Weil am Rhein ... a home from home

If a picture really does paint a thousand words; a dozen VitraHaus photos here saves us an awful lot of typing.

Below a few of our favourite images. And if you have any of your own photos that you would like to share with us, please email them to blog@smow.de Full credit will naturally be given for any photos used.

VitraHaus: The media await the start of the press conference

VitraHaus: Rolf Fehlbaum, Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron

VitraHaus: Rolf Fehlbaum in the media focus

Vitrahaus: As seen through a Living Tower from Verner Panton

VitraHaus: Spiral staircases are an important feature of the VitraHaus

Akari lamps in the VitraHaus

VitraHaus cloakroom: Obviously with Eames Hang it Alls

Maarten van Severen and Verner Panton in VitraHaus

Fourth floor of the VitraHaus by Herzog and de Meuron

Amoebe by Verner Panton in the VitraHaus

A House of Cards by Charles and Ray Eames in the VitraHaus

VitraHaus by Herzog and de Meuron: Organic forms

Vitrahaus: Vitrine

One of the last remaining Eames Mammoths has taken up residence in the VitraHaus

The lesser-spotted woolly Vegetal graze on the VitraHaus Cafe Terrace