Modern Icons: The Fireorb
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
Have you been wondering about the very futuristic and sculptural alternative to a woodstove or fireplace you've seen floating in various Houzz images? It's called the Fireorb, and it was designed by an architect named Douglas Garofalo. Garofalo explains that the "Fireorb frees the hearth to float in the room exactly where the architect or design wants it." Let's take a look.
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| The fireorb can be spun 360 degrees, to face any part of the room you'd like. Here, the family can aim it toward the dinner table for meals, then rotate it toward the sectional sofa when they want to relax after dinner. |
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| Fellow contributor Susan included a Fireorb shot in her George Jetson Ideabook. It truly does look like the future, especially when clad in stainless steel like this one. |
by LEANARCH Inc.
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The Fireorb creates a "hearth room" right off this kitchen.
by LEANARCH Inc.
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There is an eco-friendly version of the Fireorb available that is soot and smoke free.
by LEANARCH Inc.
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This one (also seen in the two images above) can be turned around so that people can enjoy it from the balcony.
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| Garofalo invented the Fireorb so that it would not impinge on views out the window in the manner the usual fireplace or woodstove does—this shot is a great example of how successful his design accomplishes this. |
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| By the way, there's a full Houzz Tour of this beautiful home. |
Here is one of the best examples of how the Fireorb functions as a sculptural element in a room.
Garofalo says of his invention: "I like that it's a fire people can actually gather around. This kind of fire has deep echoes in the history of human culture. It creates a social space. It lets the fire be central again."
Here the architect has cleverly used the Fireorb's 360 degree turning capacity to be able to enjoy it from outside.
The Fireorb has been the answer to many architects' woodstove/fireplace prayers! To learn more about it, check out their website here.
Ideabook updated on Nov. 9, 2010.
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People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
http://www.fearonhay.com/#/Mountain-Retreat/6
she called that crazy floating mod fireplace a "fireorb"....but it really IS called a fireorb.
thank you for providing my first laugh of the day, unintentional though it was.
xo
mfamb