Hasta La Ideas

Numeric shelves, refrigerator chairs and shape-shifting vases among our look back at 2011 conceptual design

From ICFF to Art Basel, 2011 delivered a flurry of design objects for the home that while highly creative and concept-driven, didn’t compromise their utilitarian duties. From recycled plastic chairs to roman numeral inspired book shelves, the following are five of our favorite pieces of sculptural design that could just as easily pass as pure art objects.

As a brilliant example of unconventional thinking, Dirk van der Kooij turns discarded refrigerators into chairs by way of a 3D printing robot. Each Endless Chair is constructed entirely of one continuous string of precisely placed recycled plastic. This striking mix of conceptual design and sustainable production leaves us marveling over the depths of van der Kooij’s creativity.

Designed in collaboration between Italy’s Le Fablier and Paolo Ulian, this sculptural series of pieces for the home are made using the historical medium of marble. The humble material is artfully formed into book shelves and tables that would seem a natural fit for a living room or museum. The highlight of the sustainably produced collection is the roman numeral inspired “Numerica” bookshelf, balancing form and function rather perfectly.

In similar fashion to Ulian’s marble, Max Lamb’s collection of polished sandstone home furnishings are beautiful whether treated as furniture or not. The British designer sourced the material from Sydney’s Gosford Quarry to achieve the perfect grain and hue for a look reminiscent of colonial period pedestals.

Brooklyn-based designer Paul Lobach’s wide range of furniture collections vary so significantly it’s hard to imagine there’s only one mind behind it all. Wading through his designs we were immediately drawn to the Watson Table—named for the American scientist who discovered human DNA’s helical shape. The unconventional use of carbon fiber and wood displays Lobach’s interest in blending artistry with technology.

Lara Knutson’s attractive “Soft Chemistry” vessels are so bizarre it’s hard to define just what they are. The combination of reflective glass, fabric and mohair gives the pieces a distinctive sheen unlike any other material we’ve seen used in this form.

In the stlye of a stick-man this design presents itself as an extremely universal and flexible wardrobe, that can be lean very easy –and simply ..

A design response to recent troubles in the world, our In Case of Riot table features a welded square steel pipe frame base and a used riot shield as ..

we designed a swivel and flexuous uniform which is simple, stylish, modern curvy form and it is designed to bring comfort and pleasure to your life. V..

The Temporium: products at our Christmas shop The Temporium are displayed on Henny van Nistelrooy‘s Revolver shelving system.

The folded metal shelves simply hook onto the wooden supports and can be flipped over to provide deep, flat platforms or shallow, slanted shelves as required.

The shelves are available to order at The Temporium, which is open until Christmas Eve – see more stories about products for sale here.

Here are some more details from van Nistelrooy:

‘Revolver’ is a display and storage system based on a simple reversible shelf design.

Due to its subtle elegance and great flexibility to display both objects and garments, this shelving system is ideal for either public or domestic environments.

‘Revolver’ is brings together the beautiful combination of wood and the industrial manufactured metal shelves.

The cantilever system works by simply hooking one shelf above the other into the wooden frame, resulting in a display that can be changed by the turn of a hand.

Douglas fir, sheet metal (powder coated)

Shelf size: 55x32cm
Posts: 200cm

Dezeen presents The Temporium

65 Monmouth Street
Seven Dials, Covent Garden
London WC2H 9DG

Map

Telephone:
020 7503 7319

Dates:
1-24 December 2011

Opening times:
Monday – Saturday: 11:00 – 19:00
Late-night shopping Thursday until 20:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 17:00

More info: www.thetemporium.com