The MoROLL & Happy Birthday Helsinki
Project Leader Michael Weinmnann Organisation micalitoMo Designed By Michael Weinmann Project Location Helsinki, public spaces worldwide Project Website micalitomo.blogspot.com Project Category Project Name of nominating Icsid Member organisation The Finnish Association of Designers Ornamo - FinlandA brief explanation of the project
"The MoROLL" is a sitting concept for one, two, or many people. It comes as a one-seater, two-seater, and as "The MoSPIRAL",which is especially designed for airports, and halls with large ceilings. The design focuses on communication, comfort and togetherness. We all share public spaces, meet and sit in large areas, unprotected. The concept of "The MoROLL" creates private place in a public space. One piece of material connects two (or more) people. There are no frame nor hardware, the material carries itself. The form gives the function to the purpose of privacy, but encourages communication and sharing. "The MoSPIRAL" follows the same concept, but takes it further. It helps to structure, divide and furnish huge areas like airports or waiting halls. It can be made out of one solid piece, or C-shaped modules can be linked into each other to provide for flexibility and versatility. Materials can be anything from natural fiber composites to wood, metal, bamboo, even concrete.
"HappyBirthdayHelsinki" wants to celebrate! It is a project proposal for the WDC 2012 in Helsinki. Using "The MoROLL" as design, it celebrates every year of the 200 years that Helsinki has been Capital of Finland with a numbered limited edition of "The RED MoROLL". Auctions, fundraisers and charity events accompany this celebration of design in our everyday lives. Highly visible, attractive, and already tested and awarded, "HappyBirthdayHelsinki" will manage to integrate the WDC into the heritage and culture of Finland.
How will receiving the World Design Impact Prize raise awareness of this project and further develop its impact?
This prize will do several things to raise awareness, and to further its development. First, the exposure of a whole year in the WDC Helsinki will help everyday people to see design, live in and around it, sit in it 24 hours a day, and communicate about, and discuss over design. Receiving this prize would help to convince investors, and the producers of the event to take a risk and expose people to design. Second, this prize will help to start a serial production of "The MoROLL", and find the right producer. Also, new materials can and will be explored with this design. An award will help to cross inhibition of stakeholders.
What are the benefits this project has had, and will continue to have, on the community of interest and how will it "create a better world through design"?
The benefit for the community of "HappyBirthdayHelsinki" is obvious! That, in return, will positively influence the whole design landscape in Finland, and abroad. A big event needs big ideas and big design. This has it all!
