Ample Sample 2007

You might remember Tricycle from previous blog postings and our I:di presentations in the past year. We initiated a conversation a year ago about the future of sampling in our industry and how we can make samples more eco friendly, cost effective and future forward. Timing is everything and just about the same time we came across Tricycle at NeoCon. Susan and I were excited to see Tricycle® leading the charge in the carpet industry. They launched a transformation of sampling for the interiors industry in 2002, with design tools and services using digital product simulation. We have been following their progress ever since.


Ample Sample 2007, a design contest sponsored by Floor Focus magazine, Prince Bentley Street and Tricycle™ challenged designers to "Rethink. Reuse. Upcycle", by repurposing carpet samples - after their usefulness to a design project - to make a design product. Believing that recycled materials became valid design elements only because designers chose to see them as such, Ample Sample challenged designers to come up with new ways to use old school materials. Do gooders around the world, from Minneapolis to the Republic of Macedonia, uploaded their best plans and images of designs that transformed samples into a beautiful and/or functional interior product that any designer can create.

The Judges Choice, Rugburm, was created by a team at RSA Los Angeles (led by James Wong) and was promoted at NeoCon World's Trade Fair this year.
















RUGBURM uses recycled objects from design firms. Rolling the carpet sample tiles to different diameters yields different comfort densities. Ergonometrics determines how to locate the rolled tiles. Tying the tiles and cardboard tubes like a "popcorn string" provides stability and comfort. Samples used: 42

At NeoCon, show attendees also voted for their favorite and selected the Care-E Purse, created by Jonathan Knodell of Columbus, Ohio as the People's Choice award winner.

















The simple Care-E Purse is designed from a single carpet tile and blocks of scrap wood, and provides a convenient way to carry your things and tells the world you're GREEN! Inspired by the theory that the green movement will truly become a mainstay in our culture once we infuse it into the world of fashion and trend. Samples used:1

"The finalists' designs are a mix of furniture pieces requiring major undertaking and quick DIY! projects for home or office," said Catherine Minervini, Vice President of Marketing for Bentley Prince Street. "The winning designs are all buildable with a small materials list, and they are also beautiful, adding an accent of recycled luxury to any space."

"Check back this winter for the next call for entries," said Tricycle Chief Brand Officer Michael Hendrix. "We'll be hosting the contest again, only bigger and better." Blueprints and/or instructions of finalists' designs are available for free download from http://www.amplesample.net/ to forward-thinking design firms around the world.
By The Way- The Care-E purse is now available for sale on etsy.com