LEO KEMPF DESIGN BLOG

Press: Sweden’s WWF eko magazine

leokempf — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:37:27 +0000

“Tired Lounge” at 360SEE is featured in a design article in Sweden’s WWF eko magazine.

Way Basics

leokempf — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 05:00:37 +0000

Working closely with the CEO, I designed the brand, materials and presentations to start Way Basics. Way Basics’ zBoard storage is now sold through the world’s larget retailers. I designed and developed this informational and e-commerce website on the magento platform – including html emails, custom theme, custom checkout, and more. I created imagery to tell the story to the consumer. Packaging, assembly guides, tradeshow booths, POP displays, apparel, press releases and new product development projects were also completed.

I made a few videos as well:

Leo Kempf Conversation Table

leokempf — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 05:05:58 +0000

I designed and built the first iteration of this table in 2006. Since then it’s been reshaped, built from wood and cardboard, been seen in magazines, galleries, and design show houses. The iconic “speech bubble” shape makes this a unique table a great conversation piece.

Corrugated cardboard, hardboard, and laminated hardboard spacers.
33″L x 20.25″D x 18″H

Crooked Mantle

leokempf — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 04:54:10 +0000

This wall shelf is all about the simple tilt of the internal space. It’s recycled tire inlay contrasts and gives the piece a nice texture.

FSC Birch, recycled tires
48″W x 12″H x 7″L

May still be available at 360SEE Gallery.

Tired Lounge

leokempf — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 04:38:20 +0000

The Tired Lounge was an experiment with the material: Hoosier sprint car tires. The shape is a simple curve with two recessed rockers to give the appearance of floating. The soft rubber was cleaned, coated, cut into strips, stretched and woven. I’m 6’2″ and the chair was very relaxing and comfortable.

FSC Birch, recycled tires
25″W x 31″H x 50″L

It may still be available at 360SEE Gallery.

360SEE show 2010

leokempf — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:46:30 +0000

In response to the success of last year’s show, “On the wall & On the floor”, 360SEE is returning with the annual design exhibition. Each artist and designer participating has created a free standing or table top piece and a piece for the wall.

All of the pieces on display in some way embrace the sustainably-minded media-choice philosophy of the gallery showing works constructed with reclaimed, repurposed, responsibly sourced, and even living materials.

Designer Leo Kempf, an “On the wall & On the floor” veteran, has traded in his cardboard furniture designs for newly designed pieces made of FSC certified Birch and repurposed tires . Kempf created a rocking recliner upholstered with tension woven reclaimed tire strips and a wall mantle inlaid with tire treads.

Fine art, functional art, and design pieces will also be on display by gallery represented artists and designers.

Conversation Table spotted in Oryx Magazine

leokempf — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:38:14 +0000

Oryx is the Infight magazine for Qatar Airways, the award-winning 5 star airline. Designed and produced to compliment the world class image of the airline, Oryx contains lifestyle and general interest features, including exclusive interviews and first-hand travel experiences from our internationally renowned writers.

Here’s the page (click to enlarge):

2010 gallery piece underway

leokempf — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 00:07:54 +0000

I’m designing a chair for the 2010 360SEE Gallery On the Wall/Floor show this fall. I’m covering the chair with strips of used tire material. I’m really excited about what my first material test revealed. The texture is great and the material is actually soft… it should help create a really comfortable chair.

strips of used tire woven to form a comfortable surface

Portable Chicken Coop

leokempf — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:05:46 +0000

We needed a home for our chickens, so I designed and built them this portable coop. Even the bottom is fenced. The side opens for easy clean/feed access. The door in the back is where you grab the eggs. There are wheels on the back to allow it to pivot easier when you lift the front. Hey, the chickens like it.

CharityWorks GreenHouse Press

leokempf — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:12:20 +0000

A Green Scheme

House Built and Designed With the Planet In Mind Shows ‘Eco’ Can Be Beautiful

By Jura Koncius

Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 8, 2009

Yes, the exterior siding is made from recycled materials, the roof of recycled metal and the floors of reclaimed wood. And there are dual-flush toilets (that will each save 6,000 gallons of water annually) in the five bathrooms of the CharityWorks GreenHouseopening Saturday in McLean.

Read the article >