Published bi-monthly, Urbis features stylish interiors, spaces and objects, fascinating places, interesting people, technology updates and car reviews. Through its sophisticated design, Urbis appeals to design-savvy consumers and style-makers, as well as design and architecture professionals.
Editorial
Contributors
Shorts
In focus: Nightingale • Big thinking, deft details and a generosity of spirit give hope.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO:
Urbis Picks: Words off the page
The Urbanists • The people, places and ideas changing our cities, one enclave at a time. Marion Street – sandwiched between hip Ghuznee Street and the red-light-strip-turned-design-school-precinct of Vivian Street – in Wellington’s Te Aro.
Urbis Drive • Andrew Kerr drives four cars that exemplify the art of high performance.
A perfect pairing • Escea’s latest fireplace series allows your fireplace and television to work seamlessly together.
Mimesis • Is art imitating nature or is it the other way around? In these still-life images, we give chameleon-like properties to fruit and capture the results against stunning backdrops by Caesarstone.
Technophile • This crop of gadgets seeks to bridge the gap between analogue and digital – allowing artists and artsy types freedom, inspiration and far more battery usage than was possible with the traditional pen, ink, paint and canvas.
Hot House • A conversation between artworks and interior design results in a stunning, high-end eclecticism in this Parisian apartment.
For the love of curves • These pieces are sinuous, corrugated and drenched in fresh coastal and forest tones.
Galactic pink • Space-travel metallics and lunar greys, combined with earthy pinks, can be oh-so intergalactically smooth!
Inside Story • New Zealander Dion Horstmans’ raw and energetic sculptures have been amassing a faithful following in his adoptive Sydney. Here he talks about the objects he loves.
Dion’s favourite things
A Stitch in Time • Wellington textile artist Jane Denton stitches tradition into her work and her deceptively simple pieces are finding a global audience.
On form • Life, creativity and how little-known Devonport designer and ceramicist Susan Christie was invited to exhibit at the world’s top design and furniture fairs, thanks to a social media post.
London Art Flair • Phillida Reid and David Southard have gone from New Zealand art schools to work with some of the biggest names in London’s contemporary art world. Here, they chat about their dealer gallery.
Island Metal • Matthew von Sturmer is a Waiheke Island-based craftsperson specialising in cast bronze hardware, and art and architectural installations.
Spaces
VICTORIAN URBANITE • PART MONOLITH, PART VICTORIAN: THIS MELBOURNE HOUSE IS ENTIRELY INFLUENCED BY AND DEVOTED TO THE ART THAT HANGS AND SHINES WITHIN IT.
OF THE EARTH • Located on a 200-hectare property encompassing a thriving walnut orchard, this family escape treads lightly on the earth from which it has been built.
GOLD STANDARD • DOWNSIZING HAS BY NO MEANS EQUATED TO DOWNGRADING FOR THE OWNERS OF THIS ON-POINT FREEMANS BAY APARTMENT.
SHOW HOME • We step into the home/studio of Belgian designer Xavier Lust. As Camille Khouri finds out, the abode has been reconfigured from an old print shop and is bursting with the designer’s eclectic works, references to Italy and delightful colour.
IN PRAISE OF SHADOWS • THIS HOUSE FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER USES ITS INHABITANT’S MAIN TOOLS OF TRADE – LIGHT AND SHADOW – TO CREATE A MOODY, CONTEMPORARY ABODE WITH A NUANCED SENSE OF BEAUTY.
OF SCHIST AND STRATA • A home in the Canterbury Plains has been built from layers of stone and memories.
