Commune is a design studio in Los Angeles, United States, founded in 2004. They focus on architecture, interior design, graphic design, product design, and brand management. The firm, best known for the design of the Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs, has designed residential, commercial and hospitality projects worldwide, home and lifestyle products, and graphic and branding concepts for the fashion, arts and entertainment industries.
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About
Founded by Roman Alonso, Steven Johanknecht, Pamela Shamshiri, and Roman Shamshiri, the studio is noted for its eclectic assemblages inspired by their surroundings and historical design movements. Commune's work has been featured in Architectural Digest (US, France), Vogue Living (Australia), House Beautiful, Elle Décor (US, Italy, UK), Vanity Fair, Casa Brutus, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Metropolis.
Commune's design process focuses on "enhancing image though design." "If there's one Commune signature, it's that we like to use materials that are raw, untampered-with, in their pure state," says Pamela Shamshiri. "We strive to acquire pieces that look like our client's collection, not like it was pulled together in six months."
Since its inception, Commune has collaborated with California artists and craftsmen on projects including ceramicist Stan Bitters, sculptor Alma Allen, textile artist Tanya Aguiñiga, and graphic artist and director Mike Mills.
Commune has collaborated with Heath Ceramics on the design of products, as well as the design of retail stores in Los Angeles and in San Francisco's historic Ferry Building. Commune is designing the interiors for a 60,000 square foot building that will house Heath's tile production factory, as well as a retail store, café, gallery and showroom space.
Commune has collaborated with Japanese company Landscape Products on Pop Tour 2012, creating a specialty tea blend and cookie recipe featuring California ingredients as well as a tote bag, an apron, and a series of thumbprint posters. 100% of the profits go to founder of Landscape Products, Shin Nakahara's relief project for tsunami victims in Onagawa.
Commune's products are the result of their collaborations with designers and artisans such as Victoria Morris, ER Butler, Michael Schmidt, Simon & Niki Haas, Margo Victor, Monique Van Genderen, and Alice Springs.
Awards
Commune were the recipient of the 2015 Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award for their work in interior design