Schweitzer Square Blog

Since I joined B612associates last week, I was working on the project of the Schweitzer Square renewal in Brussels. Wheather you live in Berchem (Brussels) or elsewhere, you probably have already seen some press releases on the project.

In this post I would like to make you aware that we at B612 mounted a blog which contains the latest information on the project. The main purpose of this blog is to encourage the participation of all different groups involved in the square’s renewal. Next monday, 22 september, we organize some workshops together with YOTA. The workshops are open for all inhabitants and commercants in Berchem. You’re all invited. Find out more on the programme at http://www.b612.be/schweitzer/

You’ll be wanting one!

This is huge! I just wanted to let you know about the new iPods released in San Fransisco today. The Apple on-line stores got back up and running and here’s a first preview:

An all new iPod nano // Even though I really didn’t like the leaked previews of the new nano that appeared on-line during the last week, I kinda appreciate its sleek design. The aluminium case comes in five new colors and yes, it sports video! It makes me wonder wheter to buy a new one, because mine is already 2.5y old. Anyway, my shiny white 1st gen nano still matches my (even more) shining iBook. Hey, I’m becoming an “old skool” guy

A new iPod, from now on called iPod Classic // The new iPods seem thinner and yet much more performing, with an 80 or 160 GB hard disk under the hood, a very appealing aluminium case that matches the new iPod style, and a re-designed interface – yes: with cover flow! It only seems to me that the coverflow just isn’t that much user friendly with a click wheel – my opinion at distance.

A new iPod touch, actually a slim iPhone without the Phone (they could have called it just “i” though…) // Some thoughts: it looks quite expensive for an iPod with “only” 8/16 GB memory, but who am I to tell. It has a gorgeous 3.5″ touch screen and seem to have incorporated most of the functions of the iPhone; it has WiFi, Safari and YouTube on board. To me, this “phoneless” iPhone looks quite amazing, but it differs a lot from the other iPods in range. Didn’t they mean to create a “white” interface, somewhat in between the new Leopard and the new iPod interface? Anyhow, it’ll do fine according to me. Also, the WiFi-store and Starbucks cooperation will become huge – maybe we’ll be seeing a Starbucks opening here in Brussels city?!

If you’re Brussels based, check out the Apple Store this weekend at the 5th floor of the Galleria Inno (rue Neuve) – even though I hate the Media Markt outlet store, I should persuade myself to go and find out the atmosphere… – I’m quite sure that the new iPods will already be available over there!

Too much talk.. That’s about it for now. Just check out Apple.com ! You’ll be wanting one too!

Design September 2007

This month Design September programs a series of events on the theme of design, held in various places around the capital of Belgium between the 9th and 30th September.

The challenge is to create synergies and bridges between the various independent and active organizations concerned with design by offering them a platform and showcase on a national scale and beyond the borders of the country.

Design September consists of various exhibitions, open days and special events and starts with a triptych of exhibitions about the design icons Eero Saarinen (link) and the Eames couple (link), and about the Vienna Secession Years in Brussels (link). Also programmed are the official opening of the Cityscape by the Belgian designer Arne Quinze (cityscape.be) on September 14th, and some lectures at Flagey (flagey.be) like the one on September 20th by Alain Berteau, the Belgian design king that created products for companies such as BULo, Montis and Fange, or a lecture by the Paris based Jakob+MacFarlane about their most recent projects, including a new Brussels building complex.

Personally you will find myself at the re-opening of the so called Parckdesign, an exhibition on the results of a competition for innovative urban furniture at the Jardins du Fleuriste near the Atomium in Brussels. Among these designs, no more than 46 Belgian entries! Another of my personal favourites is the Designer’s Open Doors weekend on 15 and 16 September for which famous and less famous Belgian designers open their workshops and boutiques.

- View the programme at designseptember.be

- Read more in the special issue of Weekend Knack (appears on September 12th, together with Knack)

(This post is written by Francisvdb, and cross-posted on Behive)