Hasta La Ideas

Cologne 2013: squishy stools shaped like animals and a family of multi-storey glass jars are among the objects designed for an exhibition during last week’s interior design event Passagen in Cologne (+ slideshow).

Above: Pets stool by Hanna Emelie Ernsting

Objects for the Neighbour took place at Passagen, which runs alongside trade fair imm cologne, and featured eight designers’ work inspired by the concept of neighbourhood.

Above: Pets stool by Hanna Emelie Ernsting

Among the objects shown were the Pets stools by Frankfurt-based designer Hanna Emelie Ernsting, a collection of stools with loose fabric seats that fold into animal shapes. In 2011, Ernsting won the [D3] Contest in Cologne for a couch that’s perfect for stroppy people.

Above: Sample Avenue by Karoline Fesser

Cologne-based designer Karoline Fesser contributed Sample Avenue, a family of glass vessels with stacking floors that line up like houses. Last year in Cologne, Fesser launched a modular seating collection made up of giant cushions.

Above: Sample Avenue by Karoline Fesser

Inspired by a foreign neighbour who moved to the watchmaking town of Biel to be with his partner, Swiss designer Florian Hauswirth designed a pair of clocks for two time zones. We’ve featured lots of designs by Hauswirth, including an experimental game of chess.

Above: (T)here by Florian Hauswirth

Also included was a pair of room dividers by Cologne-based designer Thomas Schnur, whose previous work includes a wooden bench that sits on logs instead of legs.

Above: Barrier by Thomas Schnur

Wiesbaden-based designer Sarah Böttger came up with a collection of household objects including a broom, dustpan and door stopper.

Above: Common Things by Sarah Böttger

Frankfurt-based designer Kai Linke contributed stoneware vessels that also serve as side tables, inspired by the canning jars used in his home town to preserve food. We previously featured vases and side tables that Linke made by sand-blasting timber and casting the resulting shapes in ceramic.

Above: Buurman by Kai Linke

Belgian designer Julien Renault’s trio of chairs was inspired by his elderly neighbour’s habit of reading the newspaper on a park bench. Renault previously won the [D3] Contest in Cologne with a collection of hand-forged aluminium furniture.

Above: Park Chair by Julien Renault

Finally, German designer Hanna Krüger came up with a lighting collection inspired by ballet costumes, where each light represents an individual character with its own silhouette.

Above: Figurines by Hanna Krüger

We published lots of products from imm cologne this year, including the interlocking wooden shelving that won the [D3] Contest – see all designs from Cologne 2013.

Above: Figurines by Hanna Krüger

Here’s some information from the organisers:

From 14th through 20th January 2013, the exhibition Objects for the Neighbour envisions what initially is out of reach. The focus is on the neighbour: eight designers create objects on the subject of neighbourhood, which they will display throughout the Passagen in Cologne.

The designers Sarah Böttger (D), Hanna Ernsting (D), Karoline Fesser (D), Florian Hauswirth (CH), Hanna Krüger (D), Kai Linke (D), Julien Renault (B) und Thomas Schnur (D) have already displayed their work at national and international fairs. They are united by friendship and their interest in serially produced products. With Objects for the Neighbour they engage in a joined topic, which is generally accessible. However, individually it can be very different in detail and complexity.

The neighbour – is it an actual person or rather a vague guess? Perhaps he is a mirage, wishful thinking or memory. Where is the start of a neighbourhood to begin with? At the own front door, the boundary of the city, the region, the country, the continent or the planet? Or does neighbourhood start within the family, friendship or a relationship?

Thus the subject neighbourhood therefore appears vague and fuzzy. Only through approaches and decisions it obtains an identity, which in turn can be divined based on the actual product.

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at Passagen appeared first on Dezeen.

A perennial delight, Maison et Objet can also be an exhausting experience. Miles and miles of high design leave you craving nothing more than a frumpy pillow bed to slump down on. As part of our coverage from Maison et Objet 2013, here are a few highlights that show off…

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Designed with eyes on the future, this striking table was inspired by the Maglev train’s use of magnetic technology and applies the same levitating principles to a functional, futuristic dining table. Using an electromagnetic suspension system, the table levitates above a steel plate while electromagnets attached to the table are oriented toward the plate from below. The user can easily change table height by adjusting the strength of the magnetic field.

Designer: Yana Christiaens

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(Levitating Table was originally posted on Yanko Design)

Related posts:

1. Levitating Ball Is Actually A Projector
2. Are You Levitating Your Globe
3. Levitating Mass Transit

Maison&Objet 2013: these ice-cream coloured poufs and rugs by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola for Spanish textile brand Gan were launched at Maison&Objet design fair in Paris this week.

Patricia Urquiola’s Lana Mangas collection for Gan, a division of the Gandia Blasco design brand, comprises modular components that can be arranged in a variety of configurations.

The range includes cross-shaped rugs that form an interlocking floor covering.

A seating module with a small backrest can be combined with square and rectangular poufs to form flexible seating arrangements.

The designer selected a palette of yellow, coral, pink, grey and ivory for the collection.

We’ve featured lots of projects by Urquiola, including a sofa with a quilted leaf pattern and another inspired by traditional patterns from Uzbekistan – see all designs by Patricia Urquiola.

Other products launched at Maison&Objet design fair this year include a family of terracotta pots by Benjamin Hubert and a collection of furniture and lighting inspired by camping – see all products from Maison&Objet 2013.

See all our stories about rugs »
See all our stories about seating »

Here’s some more information from Gan:

Gan is launching a new concept: Gan Spaces.

One rug, one image, endless possibilities. The rug is the starting point, the main concept, and now you have the option to elaborate on its design by adding coordinating cushions, poufs and accessories.

Mangas Space design by Patricia Urquiola

The first of its kind, the Mangas collection revolutionised the rug industry. An exceptional design by a unique designer, Patricia Urquiola is now expanding the collection by presenting Mangas spaces. With the same texture and comfort of the rug collection, the spaces collection is comprised of modular components that can used interchangeably to create a multitude of different configurations. The combination of the rugs and modules will guarantee a warm and harmonious environment.

Modular pieces creating different compositions and ambiences.

Modules: Size 47”x3´x24”h / 120x90x60h cm. 100% wool. Foam rubber + polystyrene filling. Colours: Yellow-Plait, Coral-Plait, Pink-Plait, Ivory-Rhombus, Pink-Rhombus.

Square poufs. Size 3´x3´x12”h / 90x90x30h cm. 100% wool. Foam rubber + polystyrene filling. Colours: Yellow-Plait, Coral-Plait, Pink-Plait, Ivory-Plait.

Rectangular pouf: Size 47”x3´x12”h / 120x90x30h cm. 100% wool. Foam rubber + polystyrene filling. Colour: Ivory-Rhombus.

Big rectangular rugs. Size 7´11”x4´11” / 240×150 cm. 100% wool. Colours: Yellow-Plait, Coral-Plait, Pink-Plait, Ivory-Rhombus, Pink-Rhombus.

Small rectangular rug. Size 5´11”x4´11” / 180×150 cm. 100% wool. Colour: Ivory-Rhombus.

Square rugs. Size 4´11”x4´11” / 150×150 cm. 100% wool. Colours: Yellow-Plait, Coral-Plait, Pink-Plait, Ivory-Plait.

The post Lana Mangas by Patricia Urquiola
for Gan appeared first on Dezeen.

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