Online design studio Hem is breaking ground in more ways than one this London Design Festival. First of all, they are opening their a bricks-and-mortar space in Covent Garden's Seven Dials. Secondly, they are one of the 10 Designers in the West Wing at Somerset House. Last but not least, they are unveiling their chain shelving, designed by Japanese design studio Nendo.
It is this out-of-the box project which catches our attention now. In a Wallpaper* video exclusive, Oki Sato explains the process behind his modular shelving unit and genius behind the design. 'When design gets this simple,' he begins, 'detailing is important. We were able to work on the small details, find the best materials and best solutions.’
It is important not to confuse ‘simple’ with basic however. Its minimalist design carries an understated appeal and the variety (of colours, combinations and finishes) on offer prevents the aesthetic from going stale. Instead, the creative reins are handed to the customer.
'The boxes lock together to look like a chain, [which is] extremely flexible [and] brings out the creative side of the user.'
The line fuses simplicity with customisation using the online configuration system, enabling customers to choose from a plethora of designs and colours. The boxes, open-ended on one side, connect by utilising a Hem designed proprietary system, which allows a variety of unique units: from a solid set to a lighter, spaced out one; sized simply as a bed table or into wall-spanning checkerboard cases, with a selection of six different colours and finishes perfect for any room.
The elegant boxes are open on one side, allowing for simple, yet appealing, storage space
The proprietary system developed by Hem allows for a variety of customisation, allowing to space them out or create the minimal, closed design...
... or a lighter, spaced out one
INFORMATION
Hem’s pop-up shop will be open from 19 September - 31 January 2016 at 9 Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LS; www.hem.com
-
What’s new in the wearable world of smart glasses, and extended and augmented realityAre you ready for AR? Meta, Google, Snap and more are gearing up to compete with Apple and deliver frames-based communications devices – complete with AI integration
-
Italian-Japanese fusion’s a joy at east London’s Osteria AngelinaA Victorian warehouse in Spitalfields has been given a slick modern makeover to house a unique Italian-Japanese restaurant
-
Meet the Palestinian artist putting a candy-coloured twist on traditional glassmakingWith her company Ornamental by Lameice, designer Lameice Abu Aker is bringing joy and optimism to a time-honoured craft
-
‘Disabled people have always been here’: a new V&A show centres on disability in designCurator Natalie Kane takes us through five key exhibits from the London show, where design points the way to a more inclusive society
-
Malta’s London Design Biennale installation ‘reclaims death as a moment of reflection, not fear’Wallpaper* speaks with Andrew Borg Wirth, curator of Malta's installation, ‘URNA’, which reimagines cremation rituals
-
11 things that caught our eye at Clerkenwell Design Week 2025The Wallpaper* team bring you highlights from London’s Clerkenwell Design Week (20-22 May) – from public installations to product launches and a biscuit bar
-
‘R for Repair’ at London Design Festival displays broken objects, re-formedIn the second half of a two-part exhibition and as part of London Design Festival 2022, ‘R for Repair’ at the V&A displays broken objects, re-formed
-
Nendo’s collaborations with Kyoto artisans go on view in New York‘Nendo sees Kyoto’ is on view at Friedman Benda (until 15 October 2022), showcasing the design studio's collaboration with six artisans specialised in ancient Japanese crafts
-
‘Finding quality through the act of making’: Pearson Lloyd celebrates 25 years of designPearson Lloyd’s show ‘Change Making’ reflects on past designs from its archives, showcasing the influences on and evolution of the studio, from furniture design to the NHS
-
Tom Dixon marks his studio's 20 years with a show of design experimentsMushroom, cork, steel coral and more: Tom Dixon showcases an overview of his design experiments as he celebrates his practice's 20 years
-
Porro unveils new London showroom at Coal OfficeLondon Design Festival 2022: industrial architecture meets pure geometries in the new Porro showroom, taking over a space within Tom Dixon’s Coal Office to showcase the brand’s systems and furniture
