Dezeen promotion: design brand Luminaire present a lecture and reception with furniture designer Patricia Urquiola at their Coral Gables showroom in Miami on 3 February.

The Spanish designer will also present her Bend sofa for B&B Italia at the event (above and below).

Click here to RSVP for the lecture

Above: Crinoline by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia

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Here are some more details from Luminaire:

LUMINAIRE WELCOMES PATRICIA URQUIOLA TO MIAMI FEBRUARY 3, 2011

LECTURE
Thursday, February 3
6-7pm
Fewell Gallery / Coral Gables Museum 285 Aragon Street Coral Gables

RECEPTION
Immediately following the lecture
Luminaire Showroom 2331 Ponce de Leon Boulevard Coral Gables

On the eve of its 37th anniversary, Luminaire is pleased to welcome internationally celebrated architect / designer Patricia Urquiola to its Coral Gables flagship showroom on Thursday, February 3. As one of the most recognized visionaries in the arena of contemporary design, Urquiola has broken through the ceiling of the mainly male-dominated industry and made it her own. Attributing her success to the influence of prominent mentors such as Achille Castiglioni, Vico Magistretti and Piero Lissoni, Urquiola’s brilliant work is internationally recognized for its distinctive progressive qualities. Combining fearless experimentation with a unique approach to pattern and form, her products reflect an unabashed passion for design. From sustainable product design for the bath to cutting edge furniture, her innovative voice has made her a force to be reckoned with in the 21st century. Patricia Urquiola has also been a pinnacle of Luminaire’s “Love” fundraising series where she, along with several other renowned designers, donated their time to create one-of-a-kind designs which have helped Luminaire raise close to one million dollars for cancer research.

Above: Canasta by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia

For over 36 years, Luminaire has been a pioneering force in the design world, a result of the uniquely personal and long-lasting relationships the company has cultivated with the most innovative designers and manufacturers. B&B Italia, who represents many of Urquiola’s creations, has been a close friend and collaborator of Luminaire for nearly 25 years. Their ability to capture the essence of contemporary culture, to sense and anticipate trends, and to respond to changes in taste and living needs, has resulted in a collection of world-famous furnishings, which account for a crucial chapter in the history of Italian design. These factors, and a passion for staying at the forefront of design and innovation, have also contributed to the profound partnership that B&B Italia has shared with Luminaire since 1986.

Join us at Luminaire’s Coral Gables Showroom for what will surely be a riveting lecture followed by a reception with Urquiola and her work, including the introduction of the Bend sofa, which has received critical acclaim for its ingenious technical features.

Above: Canasta by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia

DESIGNER BIOGRAPHY

Patricia Urquiola grew up in Oviedo, Spain and studied architecture in Madrid before transferring to the Politecnico di Milano. There she studied under mentor Achille Castiglioni, who would have an immense impact on the course of her career. Working in the product development office of De Padova with Vico Magistretti from 1990-1996, Urquiola also maintained an associate practice between 1993-1996 with architects Marzia De Renzio and Emanuela Ramerino, with whom she was engaged in the architectural design of showrooms, restaurants and franchising. Joining Piero Lissoni in 1996, she remained as head of his design group until 2001, when she left to open her own studio specializing in design, exhibitions, art direction and architecture.

Above: Canasta by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia

Urquiola’s most recent high-profile commercial endeavors include striking interiors for Barcelona’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel and the W Retreat & Spa on Vieques Island as well as a new H&M store in London. Extending her reach ever further, in 2010, she collaborated with designer Giulio Ridolfo on an installa- tion called ‘the dwelling lab,’ in which she explored the interior and exterior of the new BMW 5 series Gran Turismo.

Above: Canasta by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia

Urquiola has been the recipient of numerous accolades including those from ADI Design Index, the International Design Yearbook, the IMM Cologne Award, Good Design Awards from the Chicago Athenaeum, the Red Dot Award and the Elle Decoration International Awards. Additionally, several of Urquiola’s designs are in the permanent collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Uquiola also graced the cover of Fast Company’s annual “Masters of Design” issue in 2010.

Above: Canasta by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia

B&B ITALIA

Ever since its foundation in 1966, B&B Italia has been a leader in the contemporary furnishing sector. The com- pany has won international acclaim as a representative of Italian furniture design, both for homes (B&B Italia home division) and public areas (B&B Italia contract division). The group’s headquarters are located north of Milan, in a prestigious building designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers.

B&B Italia’s furnishings collection stems from the group’s capacity to represent contemporary culture and respond quickly to the new needs that emerge from today’s evolving lifestyles. It is this alchemy resulting from a mix of creativity, innovation and production that creates modern, yet timeless, pieces of furniture.

Above: Canasta by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia

To this end, B&B Italia collaborates with international designers, leaving its own distinctive mark on each product: every design is unique, an exemplification of the values of research, creativity and function. The importance of research, which has always been a fundamental aspect of the group’s development, is evident in the in-house research and development centre. The centre’s highly innovative nature has earned it several acknowledgements, including 4 “golden compasses” one of which, the most important one in 1989, for “constant work towards integration with the aim of combining the values of scientific and technological research with those of a functional and expressive product”. Standing out for innovation, quality, service, design and prestige; B&B Italia has become member of Fondazione Altagamma, which brings together Italian companies of international renown that operate at the higher end of the market and that exude Italian culture and style in their company and product management activities.

Above: Ravel by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia

WHAT IS LUMINAIRE?

Luminaire is more than a furniture showroom. It is an interactive design research center, a playground for the soul, an esplanade for discovery. More than anything else, however, it is a resource focused on creating environments that affect people's lives. The component parts of this unifying philosophy – the necessity of design education, the desire for limitless inspiration and the requirement for impeccably detailed execution – affect every item in our collection, and reflect our dedication to make good design accessible to all.

Clients entering our showrooms become immersed in an environment that exemplifies a point of view that we want to share. With the aim of expanding the repertoire and understanding of design in the communities we serve, Luminaire exists as a laboratory for curated exhibitions, thought-provoking lectures and other types of educational endeavors.

Above: Tufty bed by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia

Luminaire has built long-standing relationships with an International roster of designers as well as Europe’s most important manufacturers of contemporary furniture, lighting and accessories. Key among these is B&B Italia. These invaluable associations enable us to offer our customers an incomparable selection of the most exquisite furnishings available, while Luminaire’s in-house team manages the entire spectrum of our clients’ experience, from selection to installation, providing an unrivaled level of attention at each step.

Luminaire has been a pioneering force in the design world for over 36 years. Four Miami locations include the flagship Coral Gables showroom, which communi- cates the company's original vision: that good design is a way of life.

Above: Tufty by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia

Boffi at Luminaire redefines the possibilities for the kitchen and bath. The Design District's Luminaire Lab serves as a focal point for experimentation, by challenging one’s sensibilities and drive new directions in design thinking with experimental installations.

Also in Miami are Luminaire’s Corporate Offices and warehouse, the company's nerve center that manages a highly sophisticated system of tracking, distribution and delivery. Outside of Miami, the three-level Chicago showroom displays the latest collections from the world’s most preeminent designers, continuing to evoke and revel in the intersections and effects of good design in today's domestic environments.

Above: Fat Sofa by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia

With five locations in Miami and Chicago, visiting a Luminaire showroom is like no other experience. Designed to stimulate the senses, each space incorpo- rates color, texture, space, light and sound, reflecting Luminaire’s unique holistic philosophy and reshaping the idea of what a design store can be.

www.luminaire.com