Furnishing Utopia's research-focused workshops provides an resonating experience for designers to engage, connect, and explore design from an in-depth perspective. The workshop experiences opens up a sense of curiosity for participants to re-examine the deeper connections between people, history & culture and how it informs what we see today. Through countless stimulating experiences and dialogs, we can put forth enriching values and ideas that can further evolve the way we approach design and everyday life as a collective and as individuals.
Furnishing Utopia
Beat it
Materials: Stained wood and lacquered steel.
Dimensions: H:670 W:250mm
Prototype – Free to edition
‘Beat it’ is a contemporary interpretation of the original carpet beaters made by the American Shakers in the 19th Century. The Shakers believed in “That which has in itself the highest use possess the greatest beauty." This philosophy highlights the beauty in commonly overlooked everyday objects. With ‘Beat it’ the aesthetic value of a useful, and simple tool can be brought into the modern home.
Cooper Boxes
Keeping things tidy and organized is a never-ending chore. Order is essential, and things must return to their proper place. Inspired by the Shaker devotion to order, these wall-hung units provide household objects with a dedicated place. The units are made to accommodate the small items and utensils that are commonly misplaced. Their form originates from the finely crafted wooden buckets, baskets and boxes of the Shaker community. The barrel principle is used for a rational and efficient construction..
Materials: Color stained solid ash
Dimentions: L: 280, D:160, H:210mm / L: 460, D:120, H:120mm
Prototype – Free to edition
Dwell
The Dwell bench is inspired by the Shakers' ideological approach to design, making their furniture a physical expression of their guiding principles. The ideals of order, union and purity are reflected in balance, scale and simplicity. Balance in the form of symmetry, scale with sensibility to the users and surroundings to which it relates, simplicity in form and honest use of materials. The rational construction, functionality and lines of the Dwell bench are a tribute to these timeless values.
Materials: Stained solid wood and lacquered steel
Dimensions: H:610mm SH:460mm W:1350mm/650mm D:320mm
Prototype – Free to edition
Formwork
The ‘Formwork’ trio is a simplified representation of the creative process through three stages. ‘Fromwork – map’ shows the initial research phase. A selection of outlined forms collected to draw up the base of the framework. ‘Formwork – interpret’ sees these forms reinterpreted and systemised gaining character and value through color and texture. ‘Formwork – experiment’ is a single example of a multitude of possible expressions, constructions or ideas that can be formed within this framework. A set of of building blocks for experimentation.
Material: Digital print on paper.
Dimensions: 500 x 500 mm
Limited edition
Through our first hand encounter with the Herman Miller and Cranbrook Museum archives we found that the works of Irving Harper, Alexander Girard, George Nelson and Ruth Adler particularly inspiring. Their colorful and experimental expression carry a sense of bold optimism that resonates with us.