In advance of the season of giving, we asked a panel of product-savvy architects and designers to compile the ultimate gift guide for your work buddies. Here are their picks.
Lasercut Coasters, Molly M Designs
Picked by: Fauzia Khanani, principal, Foz Design, New York
San Francisco designer Molly McGrath decided to create a line of lasercut homewares after laser-cutting building models at work. The geometric felt-and-leather coasters add “a splash of color and an inspiring pattern to a space,” Khanani says. $45 (set of 4); mollymdesigns.com
Lamy 2000, Gerd A Müller for Lamy
Picked by: Aaron Wong, AIA, principal, Interior Architects, San Francisco
Never underestimate the pleasure derived from writing with a good pen—particularly if it’s “imported and expensive,” Wong says. German brand Lamy’s stainless-steel Lamy 2000 fountain pen has been in production for more than 40 years. “It flows and allows ideas to do the same,” he says. $199; lamy.com
The New Plan of Rome, Raven Maps
Picked by: Griz Dwight, AIA, principal and owner, Grizform Design Architects, Washington, D.C.
Cartographic connoisseurs will love this fine reproduction of the Nolli map of Rome. “I have a set of the maps on the wall of my dining room,” Dwight says. “It’s the perfect thing for an architect to geek out on. The maps hit all of the grad-school highlights of public versus private space, figure–ground studies, and secret walking routes.” $95; nolli.uoregon.edu
Kit-Cat Clock, Earl Arnault
Picked by: Fauzia Khanani, principal, Foz Design, New York
Americana-loving managers who “are always tight for time” will love this design classic, Khanani says. Dreamt up by Earl Arnault during the Great Depression, the U.S.-made, debonair, and comical Kit-Cat remains a hit more than 80 years later. $50; momastore.org
Mug, BDDW
Picked by: Brady Wilcox, chief creative officer, the New Traditionalists, New York
The early editions of these handcrafted and hand-drawn mugs are made from a limited supply of clay extracted from a 20-foot-deep hole beneath the Philadelphia workshop of American furniture company BDDW. “Making sure your boss is happy with his morning cup of joe ensures the odds will fall in your favor daily,” Wilcox says. Prices start at $80; bddw.com
Ninja Black Slim 2.0 Ferrari Red Top Grain, Ezgo
Picked by: David Shove-Brown, AIA, partner, Studio3877, Washington, D.C.
“A minimal, techie wallet,” Ezgo’s super-slim Ninja is something of a TARDIS, Shove-Brown says, alluding to the Dr. Who line, “It’s bigger on the inside!” Light as a quarter and only 2.5mm thick, it can stretch to hold keys, eight credit cards, and more. $22; ezgowallet.com
The Original Grid, Neil Conley
Picked by: Fauzia Khanani, principal, Foz Design, New York
With a standard cutting grid on one side and a section of the iconic Manhattan city grid on the other, the self-healing mat by U.K.-based designer Neil Conley is a functional and fun reminder that the grid shapes our everyday lives, Khanani says. $150; neilconley.co.uk
Sterling Portfolio, Concord Street
Picked by: Brady Wilcox, chief creative officer, the New Traditionalists, New York
“Interns should be a reflection of oneself,” Wilcox says. The Sterling Portfolio bag by Concord Street, for instance, suggests simple, elegant, and made in New England. Perfect for the office, the leather and canvas tote fits a 15-inch laptop and paperwork—like the cumbersome study materials for licensing exams—in its compartments. $225; concordst.com
Solo², Beats Electronics
Picked by: Aaron Wong, AIA, principal, Interior Architects, San Francisco
There is never a dull moment at IA, Wong says, which is why he wants to buy his junior staff these heavy-duty headphones. “These interns need to focus on drawing in our loud, collaborative, and active work environments,” he says. Balancing style and sound quality, the lightweight, compact, and durable Solo² headphones from Beats Electronics come in six colorways. $199.95; beatsbydre.com
Heirloom Blanket, Falcon & Wagen
Picked by: Fauzia Khanani, principal, Foz Design, New York
Score points with your designers by gifting them this luxurious wool and cotton throw that adds “a little coziness to their pad or comes in handy on a fall picnic,” Khanani says. Made in North Carolina, the blanket features the classic herringbone pattern in four colorways. $450; falconandwagen.squarespace.com
Espresso Set, Fellina Sok-Cham
Picked by: David Shove-Brown, AIA, partner, Studio3877, Washington, D.C.
Equal parts decorative showpiece and functional coffee set, the Espresso Set by Parisian designer Fellina Sok-Cham is sure to be a talking point when clients stop by the office. A bamboo tray is inset with six saucers that can be removed for use. Cutouts at the top of each square porcelain cup hold a stainless-steel spoon. $70; momastore.org
Equestrian Knob, Anthropologie
Picked by: Nathan Lee Colkitt, AIA, founder and principal, Colkitt&Co, San Diego
No one is likely to know the phrase “the devil is in the details” better than interior designers, which is why yours will appreciate this set of knobs and pulls. This equestrian-inspired collection from Anthropologie combines supple leather with cast-iron detailing. “It’s like I died and went to knob heaven,” Colkitt says. $12 to $14; anthropologie.com
For: Engineers and Contractors
Magnetic Wood Blocks, Tegu
Picked by: Griz Dwight, AIA, principal and owner, Grizform Design Architects, Washington, D.C.
Hidden magnets inside these wood blocks allow for gravity-defying constructions. “Guaranteed hours of fun building for your contractor,” Dwight says. “Wait, I take that back. They should have hours of fun building our projects.” $35 for a 14-piece set; tegu.com
Spirit Levels, Trevor Duncan
Picked by: Fauzia Khanani, principal, Foz Design, New York
These pocket-sized levels by British designer Trevor Duncan are “a good reminder that functional things can also be beautiful,” Khanani says. Machined into smooth barrel and bull’s-eye shapes, the aluminum, brass, and Corian levels have a reassuring heftiness. Prices start at $175; toolsforeverydaylife.com
Custom Skateboards, BoardPusher
Picked by: David Shove-Brown, AIA, partner, Studio3877, Washington, D.C.
“No candy, popcorn, or other food items [for general contractors]—they get enough of that,” Shove-Brown says. “Be unique and memorable. Show that the relationship is more than a T-shirt.” His suggestion: a skateboard deck from Englewood, Colo.–based BoardPusher that can be customized down to the last detail through the company’s website. Prices start at $54.99; boardpusher.com
Sod, Finell
Picked by: Fauzia Khanani, principal, Foz Design, New York
Set the dishes to dry in a patch of perfectly manicured lawn with this tongue-in-cheek drying rack from Finell. The 23”-long Sod has plenty of room for the plates, mugs, and cutlery of your recipient and their office mates. The best part? “It never needs to be tended,” Khanani says. $140; finell.co
Chia Pet, Joseph Enterprises
Picked by: Griz Dwight, AIA, principal and owner, Grizform Design Architects, Washington, D.C.
Loved by his colleagues, Dwight says the Chia Pet is an oldie but goodie that is sure to raise a smile. “If you’re going to go with an old-school [gift] idea, you have to go all the way,” he says. “I recommend the Chia Bunny." Prices vary; chiapet.com
Canoe, L.L.Bean
Picked by: Nathan Lee Colkitt, AIA, founder and principal, Colkitt&Co, San Diego
“We should all spend more time communing with nature,” Colkitt says. What a better way to do that than by taking a canoeing trip? L.L.Bean has a selection of canoes (such as the Saranac 146 Canoe by Old Town, shown) that should set you on course for unforgettable team-building experiences from fly-fishing to an adrenaline-fueled jaunt through whitewater. Prices vary; llbean.com
Solid Typeface Alphabet Stamps, Flores Tanis Supplies
Picked by: Griz Dwight, AIA, principal and owner, Grizform Design Architects, Washington, D.C.
Take monogrammed gifting to a new level with this set of ¼"-square alphabet stamps that can personalize leather-bound sketchbooks, wallets, briefcases, and more. “The only bit of warning with these is to keep them away from kids or they will write their names at their seats in the breakfast table,” Dwight says. “Seriously, they will.” $20; etsy.com
Series “B” Drinking Set, E.R. Butler & Co.
Picked by: Fauzia Khanani, principal, Foz Design, New York
Any client who knows architecture and design will appreciate the precise, black-enamel lines that grace this glassware collection designed by Wiener Werkstätte creative Josef Hoffmann in 1912. “Perhaps they will even invite you over to indulge in the set,” Khanani says. Hoffman developed the set in collaboration with glass dynasty Lobmeyr, who were known for supporting the then-radical designers of Wiener Werkstätte. Prices start at $251; erbutler.com
Design Thinking, Peter G. Rowe
Picked by: Aaron Wong, AIA, principal, Interior Architects, San Francisco
“It would be interesting if we could open our brains for [our clients] to gain a better understanding of how we architects think,” Wong says. Hand out this acclaimed 1991 book by the Harvard University Graduate School of Design professor that uses more than 100 illustrations to explore how creatives solve problems. “I do hope that [the recipient] will give me a book on how clients think,” Wong adds. $32 (paperback); mitpress.mit.edu
