Fans of modern design who lived in Boston in the 70's will fondly remember the revolutionary Design Research store in Harvard Square. In fact, the floor-to-ceiling glass building that Crate & Barrel just vacated was originally designed and built for "D/R" — the store that introduced modern designs by Marimekko, Hans Wegner, Alvar Aalto, Joe Columbo and more to the US. For the next few months, Design Research is back in its original space … as an installation.
To mark the building's 40th anniversary, Jane Thompson — designer and wife of Design Research founder Ben Thompson (he was an architect and associate of Harvard's Walter Gropius) rallied a group of folks to recreate D/R in its original space. It's incredible, we went last week and spent an hour just walking around. The exhibition is only viewable from the street (unfortunately you can't go inside). All three floors are lit up with vignettes of furnishings that include original Marcel Breuer, Saarinen, Iittala, and Hans Wegner designs interwoven with copper pots bought by Julia Child and vintage Marimekko fabrics (the third floor upside-down umbrella installation is gorgeous.)
We moved to Boston after D/R had been closed for several years, but when it opened, Design Research was a completely new concept. It wasn't just about selling modern furnishings, it sold lifestyle and living. Ben Thompson, D/R's founder was interested in how people thought about design, and (like ApartmentTherapy), wanted people to think about how to use and experience the spaces they lived in. Design Research helped customers get ideas how to put things together in their home and develop a modern style.
The Design Research exhibit is is a temporary installation, up until April 2010. You can only view it from the outside. We recommend going at night when it's brightly lit.
(from the New York Times) Jane Thompson and Alexandra Lange have written a history of Design Research. “D/R: The Store That Brought Modern Living to American Homes” will be published in 2010 by Chronicle Books.
Design Research is located at 48 Brattle Street Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
Images: 1, 4 & 5: The Boston Globe; 2: GettingHome Design, 3: DesignBoston
MORE D/R DESIGN RESEARCH
• The Boston Globe | Through a glass, brightly
• The New York Times |
• Dwell | Marimekko in Harvard Square
• Marimekko Blog | Marimekko Exhibition at Design Research in Cambridge
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This will be like coming home again. When I was just a kid, around 12 or 13, my best friend and I would oh and ah at the windows of DR and swear that one day, we would have a fabulous apartment with all modern furniture. I can't wait to see the instillation: I'm sure my 40-something nose will be once-again pressed against the glass!
I worked at the Brattle Street Crate & Barrel for years and came to love the Harvard Square location and the interior space of the store. Seeing the D|R exhibit going up in the last few months has been very exciting. I think Marimekko, Hans Wegner and ittala are some of the most powerful design icons of the last century. Kudos to Mrs. Thompson for this wonderful tribute.
OMG I recall when D/R was in an even earlier locale -- an old house a bit further up Brattle St. -- back in the '60s before moving into this place. Will definitely be taking that trip down memory lane soon!
On the first floor there is a significant collection of objects by iittala of Finland. You can find much of the iittala glass and dinnerware for purchase just 10 minutes down the street at Didriks, 190 Concord Ave.
LinenLover, I was just in Cambridge for the first time two weeks ago and went into Didriks with my friend, who knows the owner. What a great shop! I love the Iittala glassware and the Jars ceramicware from France.
It's such a shame it's only viewable from the street. Wish it could come back to stay! and a shame that they don't seem to have anything permanent for that space. Unless anyone knows of what's coming?