Joint Chopsticks by Yuma Kano for Katsuhisa Toda

This design applies the art of “tsugite” joints traditionally used by carpenters in Japan to attach pieces of wood together without nails or screws. Rather than placing the joints at the end as a bit of decoration, they are placed at the point that takes the most strain.The techniques used to join the chopsticks are the same as those used by “sashimonoshi”, masters of craft to make Buddhist altars, bureaus, and other furniture. This project is a collaboration between Katsuhisa Toda, a traditional carpenter in Shizuoka JAPAN, and studio yumakano. These designs were developed to help solve the problems around traditional crafts through the concept of “everyday crafts”, extending the breadth of ordinary work, rather than struggling to develop something entirely new.

Joint Chopsticks, by Yuma Kano
Photography by Satoru Ikegami & Yuichi Yamaguchi

The Pure Foosball Table by Alain Gilles for Debuchy by Toulet

The Pure is the modern vision of a classic foosball table. The rules, the game, and the fun remain the same, but it has now been transformed into an object that can be displayed in a living room or in the lobby of a contemporary hotel for instance. The foosball doesn’t have to be hidden in the basement anymore and it is no more just for gaming centers or coffee shops. It has been designed in order to bring a sense of warmth for those moments of togetherness with the family. With the strong use of wooden elements, quiet presence, and a reference to Nordic design it aims to be a somewhat timeless modern piece. From the top, its shape refers to modern football stadiums ( soccer stadiums ). But it has also been design in order to have a soft feminine touch and a minimal feel to make it more acceptable to women, and thus in the end acceptable in a house.

The Pure, Foosball Table, by Alain Gilles, for Debuchy by Toulet

Cabanne by Bestetti Associati for Paola Lenti

Cabanne is a system of architectural structures that originates from the desire of the Company to integrate harmoniously with nature. The modules Quadro, Veranda and Tunnel, which make up this collection, create large covered areas, which provide shelter and intimacy, where it is pleasant to meet, talk and rest. Through colour, the Company blends the exterior environment with architectural structures, seating, rugs and accessories in its collections. The structure of Cabanne is made of steel; it can be completed with aluminium, fabric or wooden tops, fixed or moving side panels made of wood, fabric or glass or with curtains. The exclusive fabrics are an essential part of the product: they protect from sunlight and heat, making Cabanne distinct and unique. Designed by Bestetti Associati, Cabanne is the first element of Landscapes, a collection that has developed over the years to become today a comprehensive system of architectural structures for the exteriors responding to the most diverse requirements.

Cabanne, by Bestetti Associati, for Paola Lenti

Paris-Memphis & Off the Moon by Maison Dada

Maison Dada, was created in Shanghai by Thomas Dariel and Delphine Moreau. Maison Dada creates objects that are gently crazy, defying certainty, taste and gravity. The style is poetic, bold, playful, daring and based on the belief that everybody deserve inspiring and meaningful design.

Paris-Memphis, and Off the Moon Collection, by Maison Dada

The Booster Grill by Röshults

The Röshults Booster Grill is a charcoal grill where the glow bed is agitated by inaudible infrasound. Infrasound is sound with extremely low frequencies. A human being cannot hear those low frequencies, but still the infrasound can be very powerful. With infra-sound technology, we can control the movements of the molecules in the layers of charcoal. We push them to move faster, making the heat rise and the glow grow stronger. All within seconds.

The Booster Grill, by Röshults

Mix&Match by Flavia del Pra for GAN

This product by GAN is as fresh, sophisticated and cheerful as Brazil, its country of origin. The collection adds a new twist to classic concepts with innovative shapes, copper and ceramics. Bowls, side tables for serving and presenting food, pedestals that give pride of place to a work of art or a lovely plant… Find the perfect spot and add a little everyday pleasure to your home.

Mix&Match, by Flavia del Pra, for GAN

Star Wars by Nendo

The characters in the film “Star Wars” turned into objects in abstract 3D shapes. Many character goods have been made based on the film, with many based on 2D image manipulation. So we wanted to open up new possibilities by creating a simplified 3D form. For example, a consecutive repetition of Darth Vader’s concave eyes and mouth turned the object into the instantly recognizable character from every angle. The volume and the curvature of the characters were all adjusted to be more or less similar, all having a rounded top and concave base. This enabled the characters to be stacked on top of each other for different purposes.

These designs are aimed at being used as a type of “material”, offering the opportunity to the designers and manufacturers who have obtained the licenses to develop their products based on these forms. A wide variety of usage can be envisaged ranging from kitchenware such as cups, salt & pepper pots, stationary such as paper weights, jewelry such as necklaces, or beading several of them into bracelets. The expansion of the product offerings can be infinite, which provides a whole new fun and creative aspect of exploring the possibilities that resides in characters.

Star Wars, by Nendo
Photopraphy by Akihiro Yoshida

Grandfather Clock by Marcel Wanders

Marcel Wanders’ newest timepiece creation, his grandfather clock. A literal monument to artistry, this stainless steel beauty towers at 2.10 meters tall and defines what it means to set the standard for meticulous design and mechanical luxury.

Grandfather clock, by Marcel Wanders, for Christofle

Absolut Cooler by Thomas Feichtner

Designer Thomas Feichtner was commissioned by ABSOLUT VODKA with the design of a new glass and vodka cooler. This cooler was supposed to be designed specifically for the Swedish distillery’s finest vodka, ABSOLUT ELYX, and reflect the handwork of the most experienced distillers. This vodka, hand-distilled and rectified in the original copper kettle from 1921, was to be complemented by a drinking glass and vodka cooler from the hands of Feichtner, the design process and quality workmanship of which was to underline this vodka’s concept.

Absolut Cooler, by Thomas Feichtner

Still/Life: Tapio Wirkkala Retrospective Exhibition

The centenaries of the births of Tapio Wirkkala and Rut Bryk, two influential figures in Finnish design, will be celebrated between their respective hundredth birthdays, from 2 June 2015 to 16 October 2016. The designer, sculptor and academician Tapio Wirkkala (1915–1985) and his wife, the graphic designer and ceramic artist Rut Bryk (1916–1999), were influential in launching the concept of modern Finnish, and Scandinavian, design, which still continues to enjoy international acclaim even today.

With the diverse events and exhibitions, and the products and books to be launched, the centenary year aims to increase the visibility of the important work done by Wirkkala and Bryk. The content of the centenary year programme in Finland and abroad is a natural continuation to the efforts to improve the national and international recognition of Finnish design.

Centenary, by Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation