As someone who has spent countless hours scouring design exhibitions and immersing myself in the creative process of talented designers, I must say that the “Adaptations” exhibit at Aram is nothing short of inspiring. Each piece showcases not only the incredible talent and ingenuity of these artists but also their unique perspectives and experiences that have shaped their designs.
The London-based design store, Aram, recently unveiled an exhibition showcasing pieces from ten British studios. Each studio has innovatively redesigned the modular Haller system produced by USM, resulting in unique types of furniture.
In “Adaptions”, the main exhibition hall has been metamorphosed into a platform displaying some of the top design talents Britain has to offer. The concept for this show was sparked by USM’s factories, and the challenge was straightforward: devise something that could elevate your daily life using pre-existing USM elements.
According to Grace Eden, the contributors at Adaptations hail from diverse disciplines including architecture, art, textiles, interior design, and product design. This broad spectrum of skills is crucial for delving into the project’s core themes: deviation, function, and storytelling. The designs are evaluated not just for their innovative departure from convention, but also for their practical applications and the environments in which they reside.
Read on to find out more about each designer and their project.
Livia Lauber
Livia Lauber, who specializes in product and furniture design, decided to bring into existence two items: a lamp and a bookshelf. The lamp, called USMO, sports a shade made from Washi paper, while the bookshelf is designed to fit within her studio, and includes wheels for convenient mobility.
Jennifer Dyne
Jennifer Dyne, an architect at David Kohn Architects, has developed a tool for working productively from her home workspace. This innovative creation, known as a chest trolley, fits perfectly around an existing workbench. Its design is geared towards organizing tools and components, with a flexible feature in the form of textile storage pockets attached to it.
Issi Nanabeyin
In response to the assignment, Issi Nanabeyin addressed it in his dual capacities as an artist and educator. He expressed that for him, research is a relational process, enlivened by exchanges, the flow of ideas, and frequent referencing of books in his workspace. As a result, one of Nanabeyin’s creations serves as a facilitator for referencing resources, conserving table space while displaying books. The other creation, titled DesignObject, is an adaptable drawing board that can adjust to various angles.
Mitre and Mondays
Josef, Freya, and Finn, team members at Mitre and Mondays studio based in London, designed some foldable stools using USM Haller components. The seat of these chairs is made from a textile sling in a blue hue, designed to serve as a convenient seating option across various locations they work in. Notably, they have recently used the folding stools in a converted van during the London Design Festival.
Studio Rhonda
Towards the back of the gallery space is a huge line drawing of a campervan. Upon closer inspection, you see that it’s there to illustrate the use of Studio Rhonda’s design – a pull-out unit for her 1988 T25 Volkswagen, affectionally known as “Velma”. “Aesthetically, it also has the look and feel of the 1980’s industrial genre, a perfect fit for the age and angular style of Velma,” she adds.
David Searcy
David Searcy found it more suitable to develop a design solution in his own living space, so he crafted two items for his bedroom: a chair and a clothes hanger. The chair utilized the handle of the USM Haller trolley as armrests, which also serve as useful racks to prevent clothing from accumulating into a pile. The hanger was designed to look minimalistic, employing a steel wire rope fastened within a threaded ball joint.
Si Hyun Park
In a unique twist, Si Hyun Park’s works took the intricate USM Haller system to unprecedented levels, with detailed engravings giving it an entirely new visual perspective. For her personal residence, she designed a coffee table modeled after the Korean Soban table and a multipurpose frame that serves as both artwork and storage. Both pieces showcase etched details; the coffee table resembles the waves of the River Thames, while the frame is adorned with sketches of London landscapes.
Kengo Horikoshi
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express my fascination with Kengo Horikoshi’s innovative project that intertwines the journey of a chair with that of a human. Employing beige and steel panels, he cleverly leveraged a modular system to design a chair where sections can be effortlessly adjusted and transformed based on immediate requirements.
Mair Cook
Mair Cook’s artistic approach largely revolves around the idea that items can add depth to our lives as enduring companions. Applying this concept to the project, she integrated an artisanal woven lampshade with the design – crafting a lamp intended for night feedings, serving as a token of appreciation for her daughter. “My daughter spent her initial month in the NICU, so I appreciate the normalcy of touch and closeness we were deprived of. The night feeding is a sacred, quiet moment of bonding for us. The lamp will be our companion during those sleepy hours,” she expresses.
Holly Rollins
To conclude, but by no means least important, we have Holly Rollins – an interior architect residing in London whose professional success is on the rise. Via her studio, Rolstudio, she produces work that frequently revolves around the Caribbean diaspora. In an effort to establish a space conducive for her research-focused approach and educational pursuits, Rollins devised “The Research Bureau”. This innovative workspace includes a built-in upholstered chair, a desk that swings out, and alcoves for displaying books and artifacts.
Adaptations is on show at Aram until December 14.
Aram store
110 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5SG
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2024-11-11 20:56