Standout designs
Products that caught our eye by redefining creativity in design at Maison & Objet Asia 2015 earlier this year.
LIGHTING made from silk cocoons, eco- friendly and wireless lightbulbs, and tableware made from recycled plastic bottles were just some of the products that intrigued this writer at this year’s Maison & Objet Asia. Here are some of the highlights:
Ango: Based in Thailand, Ango designs, develops, and manufactures luxury handcrafted lighting with materials like silk cocoons, rattan, mulberry tree bark, sea kelp polymer, and hand cast polymer. Ango’s range of products includes ceiling, wall, floor, and table lights, as well as furniture and custom- made designs. – angoworld.com
Lightworks: This Philippinesbased company’s purpose is “designing everyday objects that inspire joy, wellbeing and aesthetics”. Its collections include indoor and outdoor furniture, sculptural water features and decorative lighting, wall art, and tabletop pieces. Starting with gilded ceramics, the company now offers gilded metal wall art and other decorative pieces using a fusion of industrial materials ( fibreglass and metal) and natural materials like bamboo, stone, shells, abaca, and water hyacinth. – lightworks. com. ph
Nanoleaf: This award- winning Canada- based company has patented a laser- scoring process that enables the folding of PCB ( printed circuit board) material in designing its energy efficient light bulb, Nanoleaf One. With a 27.5- year lifespan, its unique shape is based on one of Plato’s solids – the dodecahedron – a sphere- like shape made from flat plains. Nanoleaf Gem, another range, is a lightweight, shatter- resistant glass design, while the Nanoleaf Bloom is believed to be the world’s first dimmable light bulb that doesn’t require a dimmer. Of interest is the Nanoleaf Ivy, the first wirelessly connected smart bulb controlled through the web or apps. Both the Nanoleaf One and Nanoleaf Bloom were awarded the prestigious Red Dot award 2015 for design excellence. – nanoleaf. me
Q& Q SmileSolar: This Japanese brand first launched its new series of solar- powered and maintenance- free watches in the United States in 2014. Made from recycled materials and water resistant, the Q& Q SmileSolar range is colourful and playful, with something for everyone. Its 2015 collection is inspired by the theme, Spice on Your Wrist, and features 10 new designs with vivid colours and bold graphic patterns. – rizonwatches.com/get-your- smile-watch-in- kl- klang- valley
Ong Cen Kuang: This Bali, Indonesia- based design house offers a unique collection of lighting and functional furniture by marrying different materials. Many of the Ong Cen Kuang collections – all handmade – are inspired by origami fused with Western concepts. – ockdesigns.com
Beyond Object: Presenting a desktop collection inspired by the sculptural and architectural languages is London- based Beyond Object. The collection includes a tape dispenser ( Cantili), letter opener ( Lino), pencil sharpener ( Funno) and a pen pot ( Penpo, designed by London- based studio Poetic Lab). – beyond-object.com
Modernique: A Korean lifestyle brand, Modernique offers a wide range of products, from homeware and flower ornaments to handbags and fashion. Its collections include the Indoor, Outdoor, Anywhere, Mystic, and Matilda. Key materials used include metal, wood, and leather. – modernique.kr
Taiyo VN: Designing and producing tableware made from recycled plastic ( PET) bottles is Taiyo VN, a Japanese company based in Vietnam. The plastic bottles are collected from schools in the Wakayama prefecture in Japan. In return, the students receive book vouchers from the company. Rebirth 86 is one of its latest collections and comes in seven vibrant colours – red, navy, blue, orange, green, grey, white – and features 20 items such as mugs, soup cups, bowls, dinner plates, trays, forks, and spoons. The products are microwave- and dishwasher- safe, and formaldehyde- free. – www.taiyo-chemicals.co.jp