INduStRy
Something Beginning With + ARI Sofa
Schiavello + Otm table In 2010, Schiavello had observed that work styles were changing. Based on this observation, a brief was generated to develop the opportunities for individuals and groups of people to work within alternative spaces of the workplace. In response to this brief, designers Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien (Doshi Levien) undertook an in-depth research program to inform their design process, which applied to making educated and intelligent design for the workplace/commercial furniture environment. “Our discussions with Doshi Levien centred around developing a collection of products that would enhance working away from the traditional desk space,” says Michelle Hyams, design manager of Schiavello International. The idea of the OTM Table was to “Create an object with all the performance without looking like a piece of equipment, but instead like a beautiful
side table,” explains the products’ designers Doshi and Levien. The development process was a collaborative effort during the initial creative stages. Doshi Levien proposed various concepts based on Schiavello’s brief of their customers. Ongoing communications during the engineering stages ensured Doshi Levien maintained the design intent while meeting the rigorous Australian market requirements. “Communication was achieved through a variety of mediums – visits to Australia, video conferencing, emails and sketching ideas. Sketching was a powerful way to exchange ideas between two different time zones and geographical locations. Ultimately, our goal was realised. Befitting to transitional spaces, OTM is an ideal addition or solution for break-out areas, community/ collaboration and retreat spaces.” notes Hyams. schiavello.com // (61 3) 9330 8888
“A sofa was always on the cards, we’ve always wanted to design one,” says Something Beginning With co-founders, Laelie Brezon and Lisa Vincitorio, “but it was going to be one that made a statement – not a stock standard sofa designed to serve a purpose and blend into the background, and one that also didn’t bow to current trends.” ARI went through a stringent process from concept to production to ensure that it was not only tailored to the local Australian market, but to an efficient and cost-effective manufacturing technique. This process comes from Brezon and Vincitorio’s experience within both sales and production. “The process starts initially by having a discussion based on direction; what type of product we currently lack in our collection, and what we feel our market needs,” explains Brezon and Vincitorio. “The main challenge we encountered when developing this product was establishing proportions that were ergonomically sound, without compromising on the design’s overall presence.” The outcome here is an absolute charmer, where the result of SBW’s intensive and meticulous R+D process led them to achieve a space-efficient sofa option that delivers style and comfort without spatially dominating a room. somethingbeginningwith.com.au // (61 3) 9939 0845
Fanuli + Sharky In the last few years, designers worldwide have begun to break free from their geographic design language to fuse the form of one culture with the making techniques and philosophies of another. Case-in-point, the Sharky Chair – designed by creative duo Neuland Design – combines Nordic aesthetic sensibility with the famous “Made in Italy” manufacturing ethos and approach. The polyurethane structure of the chair gives it a light, dynamic line common to the Scandinavian
form, and its matte-lacquered aluminium legs with visible welding highlight its material quality and sturdiness; design features that are typical of “Made in Italy” workmanship. This eclectic brand of product development successfully breaks down national barriers, opening up what were once closely guarded design secrets to create a more cohesive, holistic and rewarding design process and outcome. fanuli.com.au // (61 2) 9908 2660
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