Radar | Vol. 14

Dough Ceramics – Toogood

At the end of 2022, design studio Toogood, known for its characteristic Scandinavian vocabulary, launched its first collection of homeware. The “Dough Ceramics” showcase the common ground between ceramics and cooking, through the process of kneading. The collection includes utilitarian clay objects, including mugs, jugs and bowls, in black and white matte colours. Their curved form, even if small in size, stands out due to their inelegant proportions, which represent the evolution from the preformed material to the final product. The final result was obtained after the model was cast in clay and finished by hand by specialized Portuguese craftsmen.

Concept by: Faye Toogood

Photo by: Matthew Donaldson

Clay Court – Toogood

We will linger on Faye Toogood’s sculptural work. For her installation entitled "Clay Court", the designer envisioned forms that serve as sitting rooms or small spaces and are governed by simple geometry, thus reducing the sense of the size of the otherwise large-scale sculptures. These are made from wrought iron and cast bronze after being sculpted by hand in such a way as to give the 17 oversized objects the feel of clay. The forms emerged through a long process of experimentation with around 300 maquettes that made up "Assemblage 6: Unlearning".

Concept by: Faye Toogood

Photo by: Friedman Benda

Lotta Agaton Armchair – Layered x Lotta Agaton Interiors

The interior design studio of Swedish Lotta Agaton deals with commercial and private concepts that pertain to scenography, direction and interior decoration. For the collaboration with the interior design brand Layered, a series of furniture and carpets was designed, with an emphasis on sustainability, to create objects that can be used for many years. The minimal and elegant designs come in soft colour tones and function as a resting place amid daily life. So, the armchair of the collection offers comfort through the connection of two simple geometries and a clean Scandinavian design.

Concept by: Lotta Agaton

Photo by: Ragnar Omarsson

A Shark in My Soup – Apostolos Porsanidis for Industreal

Apostolos Porsanidis was born in Athens and studied product design at Central St. Martins in London and Domus Milano, and for many years ran his studio in Paris. While he was there, he collaborated with the Italian company Industreal and at the Salone del Mobile 2006 he presented the “A Shark In My Soup” plate. It is a unique specimen of industrial design with pop culture references and a playful intention. In 2010, the designer returned to Greece, specifically to Corfu, where he started to deal with oil production, while also creating various functional and decorative objects inspired by Greece. Among them, the collaboration with Ancient Greek Sandals stands out, which was included in the “Club Vacay” exhibition at the 100% Hotel Show 2022.

Concept by: Apostolos Porsanidis

Photo by: Ilvio Gallo

Ousia Throne & Textile Work – Sizar Alexis, Sinar Alexis & Nathalie Van der Massen for Atelier Ecru Gallery

The sibling duo Sizar and Sinar Alexis, of Iraqi and Scandinavian origins, design powerful and expressive objects structured by robust volumes of natural materials, inspiring a sense of immobility and calm. As with the rest of their objects, the design of the “Ousia” throne was centred around narration, and more specifically the narrations of the cultural and architectural artefacts of Mesopotamia, combined with brutalist elements. The duo collaborated with Nathalie Van der Massen, a textile designer from Belgium, for their joint exhibition “common/un/common” and she added an “armour” to the throne, a textile that looks solidified while it remains fragile.  

Concept by: Sizar Alexis, Sinar Alexis & Nathalie Van der Massen

Photo by: Tijs Vervecken

Raku Yaki coffee table (travertine) – Emmanuelle Simon

Based in Paris and of Israeli descent, Emmanuelle Simon works as a designer and interior architect and has produced many works for public or private spaces. She is inspired by wabi – sabi and Art Deco, she keeps visible the natural beauty of the materials she chooses for her sculptural and at the same time functional creations. True to her principles, the “Raku Yaki” collection brings to the present the ancient Japanese Raku technique, which is applied to ceramic objects and transforms their finish. These objects are placed in the centre of the circular table, and outlined by a thin ring of travertine.

Concept by: Emmanuelle Simon

Photo by: Baptiste Diet

Armchair & Pouf Mapico – Mapico

Designer Mariia Puliaieva's newly founded Ukrainian brand "Mapico" launches modern furniture and carpets made of handmade wool from the Carpathians. These fabrics are manufactured using traditional techniques, which include washing the wool in a river, while in combination with the choice of wood, they promote the natural element and ecology in a simple but impressive design. The armchair and pouf were presented in the exhibition for Maison&Objet titled “The Art of Resilience”, in January 2023. 

Concept by: Mariia Puliaieva

Photo by: Maino Design

La Basilica – Mario Bellini for Cassina

Emphasis on functionality is only one of the characteristics that make architect Maria Bellini’s work timeless. The table “La Basilica” was launched in 1977 but it still stands out with its iconic design, based on repetition and truth to its material, i.e. successive layers of wood. The inspiration for this design is the connection between architecture and design, with references to the history of architecture and specifically classicism.

Concept by: Mario Bellini

Photo by: Cassina

Rotate SC73 Rolling Table – Space Copenhagen for &Tradition

Signe Bindslev Henriksen and Peter Bundgaard Rützou created their design studio in 2005, which aligns the design approach with the needs and behaviour of people. The asymmetrical form of the trolley they designed is inspired by the art of origami and it is made from a steel sheet that can be folded and joined in certain places, hiding in that way the wheels at its base. With this design the full potential of the material is exploited, while the object is accessible from every side, catering to different possible needs. 

Concept by: Space Copenhagen

Photo by: &Tradition

Basket Rug – Lena Bergström for Design House Stockholm

The internationally renowned design of Swedish designer Lena Bergström includes organic, lightweight glass objects as well as heavy fabrics. The “Basket” carpet attempts to negate the flat nature of the object through folds and rectangular cuts. In reality, this pattern/optical illusion created by hand is a reference to the traditional Swedish handcraft technique used in baskets and bags. This visual game is highlighted by weaving each piece of the carpet in a different direction, while it also creates shades at various places. The intelligent geometry is further showcased by the choice of keeping the object monochromatic.

Concept by: Lena Bergström

Photo by: Fredrik Sweger, Set design by: Saša Antić Studio