Design enthusiasts will have plenty of inspiration to absorb this weekend with two modern architecture and design events taking place in LA. At the Los Angeles Convention Center in Downtown, the massive Dwell on Design conference makes its annual appearance with more than 350 exhibitors and 100 speakers, addressing both building-industry insiders and the general public on topics ranging from the best in restaurant interiors to tips on designing furniture that can charge a phone. Not too far away—though decidedly distant in scale—is INTRO/LA at Mack Sennett Studios. Only in its second West Coast outing after launching in New York in 2013, the show invites a select group of furniture and object designers to present their work as a single cohesive exhibit for the public to peruse.
Certain trends have emerged across the shows, according to a preview in the LA Times. The issue of “cradle to cradle” sustainability remains at the top of mind for many working in the field, with every aspect of design, from materials sourcing and home energy use to innovation. As much as we love solar panels without elegant Scandinavian lines, we’re also intrigued by the growing interest in “safe rooms,” designed to protect dwellers from whatever human or natural disasters might occur. The mainstreaming of what was once strictly the domain of the very paranoid and wealthy means your next apartment just might be outfitted with a miniature bunker—and if it is, we know some companies who can help you decorate it.
Dwell on Design takes place at the LA Convention Center on Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25 from 8am to 8pm, and Sunday, June 26 at 10:30am to 4pm; tickets start at $30. INTRO/LA is free and runs Friday, June 25, from 11am to 7pm, and Saturday, June 26 from 11am to 5pm at 1215 Bates Ave in Silver Lake.