Design

These fledgling form-makers are already casting tomorrow's shape-shifting, multifunctional world

Amina Horizic colonna clock
(Image credit: Younés Klouche)

Inspired by the columns of Greek and Roman architecture, the ‘Colonna’ clock, a collaboration with Marsotto, celebrates ‘the monolithic permanence of marble’, cutting through space ‘as a sort of three-dimensional punctuation mark’. Dream collaborator: Isamu Noguchi.

aminahorozic.com

Lifting the lid on the experimental, space-morphing designers setting the scenes of tomorrow.

Writer: Rosa Bertoli

Avigail Segal platform shoes

(Image credit: Ido Maler)

In a quest to examine the balance of power in gender structures in domestic environments, Segal created a neutral scene, in pale blue, with a series of ceramic pieces, including a watering can, a carpet, some cacti and a pair of platform shoes. Dream collaborator: Jacques Tati.

avigail.cargocollective.com

Business card holder and tape dispenser

(Image credit: behance.net/leslieleyv8733)

Using Mexican gold sheen obsidian, Leyva created the ‘Intensity’ collection, including a business card holder and tape dispenser. These functional yet decorative desk objects are also intended to absorb negative energy and ease mental stress. Dream collaborator: Piero Lissoni.

behance.net/leslieleyv8733

woolise console by Chloe duran stone

(Image credit: chloeduranstone.com)

Mexican-British designer Durán Stone’s ‘Wóolis’ console features a glass structure with doors made from coloured mirrored circles that can be juxtaposed to create different shades and reflections. Dream collaborators: Jaime Hayon, Patricia Urquiola, Germans Ermics.

chloeduranstone.com

Boldizsar Szenteczki

(Image credit: András Ladocsi)

‘Cell’ is a mirror installation designed to alter the viewer’s perspective of space. Made from tinted silver-plated glass, the pieces can be used individually, or in multiple compositions that play with the gradient colour scheme. Dream collaborators: Tokujin Yoshioka, Rick Owens.

boldizsarszenteczki.com

Estudio Pot colourful ceramic bowls

(Image credit: estudiopot.com)

The ‘Apilables’ collection of ceramic bowls, designed by Inma Carpena, María Gil and Lorenzo Pérez, can also be used to create totemic compositions. The collection was turned by local expert Domanises, with Díez Ceramic assisting with colour development. Dream collaborator: Hay.

estudiopot.com

Gregory Beson

(Image credit: Zoe & Ari Elefterin)

Beson’s ‘Terrosso’ chair was hand-sculpted from a single custom casting of sheep bone material (slaughterhouse waste), then finished to give the impression of stone. Dream collaborators: Virgil Abloh, Jasper Morrison, choreographer William Forsythe, Vitra, Nendo.

gregorybeson.com

matt canham ceramics

(Image credit: mattcanham.uk)

Canham took inspiration from traditional ceramic tableware for his ‘hplus’ personal health monitoring devices, offering a contrast to the conventionally cold appearance of clinical objects. Dream collaborator: A global consumer technology leader, such as Google or Apple.

mattcanham.uk

Melinda Urbansdotter metal textiles

(Image credit: m-urbansdotter.com)

Combining her background in textile design with an interest in the properties of metal, Urbansdotter created a striking chain and mesh room divider, entitled ‘Alt+f=ƒ’, blurring the boundaries between soft and hard objects. Dream collaborator: Ikea in the 1970s.

m-urbansdotter.com

Orbit

(Image credit: hannim song)

A geometric composition of soft modules in Camira fabric and plywood, the ‘Orbit’ chair was designed with industrial production in mind. To enhance the sitting experience, Song created a partly detachable armrest and footstool. Dream collaborators: Thomas Dambo, Martino Gamper.

hannimsong.com

Glass perfume bottles

(Image credit: huilinli.wixsite.com/design)

Li’s collection of glass perfume bottles reflect affairs of the heart. Combining clear and red glass, she experimented with glass-making techniques to convey concepts such as first love, the seven-year itch and passion. Dream collaborator: Don Norman.

huilinli.wixsite.com/design

Isabelle Baudraz Tie bench

(Image credit: isabellebaudraz.com/design)

The result of a collaboration between ECAL, Paris’ Musée Picasso and furniture brand Tectona, Baudraz’s ‘Tie’ bench comes in two different sizes and features an interlocking construction that allows for multiple configurations. Dream collaborators: Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec.

isabellebaudraz.com/design

(also shown, left Avigal Segal’s platform shoes, and right ‘TotaOrri’ lounger)

‘Taktil’ collection

(Image credit: press)

Lorence’s research into sensory stimulation resulted in the ‘Taktil’ collection, designed for children with autism. The pieces ‘help children focus, overcome sensory sensitivities and soothe anxiety’. Dream collaborators: Nendo, Sou Fujimoto, Dominique Perrault.

paula.lorence@gmail.com

Risa saito sculpture

(Image credit: Takahumi Ueno)

Saito’s object is inspired by rock formations. ‘Rocks get crushed and become gravel, turn into sand and soil, nurture plants and provide habitats for animals,’ she says. Her sculpture celebrates the beauty and uniqueness of the material. Dream collaborator: Imaizumi Imaemon XIV.

risa.s2437@gmail.com

Martinthubeck

(Image credit: cargocollective.com/thubeck)

‘Otto’ is both chair and clothes hanger, with further storage space in the seat. Thanks to its zoomorphic shape, it is also ‘a faithful friend who looks after your belongings while you focus on something else’, says Thübeck. Dream collaborator: An open-minded sceptic.

cargocollective.com/thubeck

Tota orri for gandia blasco

(Image credit: press)

Multifunctional and easy to pack away, the ‘TotaOrri’ lounger/pool float was created for Gandía Blasco’s new brand, Diabla, as part of Universitat Jaume I’s Intercrea project. Dream collaborator: Joan Rojeski.

al286366@uji.es; behance.net/neusfabregat; behance.net/morxilgand0ce

mirror from guilty pleasure collection

(Image credit: siribahlenberg.com)

Bahlenberg’s ‘Guilty Pleasure’ collection focuses on throwaway culture, exploring what is easily discarded and what’s worth keeping, such as these broken mirrors, which have been given new life as ‘trophies of landfill’. Dream collaborator: James Turrell.

siribahlenberg.com

Shoji lamp

(Image credit: vrokka.com;)

Franco and Sierra’s ‘Shoji’ lamp is made using woodturning, laser cutting and metal bending techniques. The materials used were chosen for their sculptural qualities and the piece is designed to enrich a space even when turned off. Dream collaborator: Christophe Mathieu.

vrokka.com; behance.net/juansierra48

Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.