Running alongside the Salone Internazionale del Mobile (aka Milan Design Week 2016), the SaloneSatellite has celebrated its 19th edition. This special event showcased innovative projects from young designers from around the world, with a special emphasis on new materials. Showcasing the work of 650 emerging young designers under the age of 35, this year's event was filled with designs made from innovative materials that paid homage to classical materials, such as wood, plastic, glass, metal, fabric and marble.
Needlessto say, a few of these young and promising designers caught ourattention during this year event and we've put together a specialgallery of some of the best of the best.
Athens-based ChrisBasias presented his creative CT Lights collection, showcasing acollection of LED lamps that merge art with industrial design. Hisstand-out "Roua" series is a collection of hanging andstand-alone lamps made in the form of chess pieces.
This jovial light collection is all handmade and each lamp features a rosette plug system, allowing each piece to be used in a variety of situations, such as directly on the floor, resting on table or desk or hanging from the ceiling or wall.
"I don't make anything, unless it is both necessary and useful," says Basias. "And if it is, I don't hesitate to make it beautiful."
OrlaReynolds presented her unique and playful "As If From Nowhere"collection, which is ideal for small spaces and tiny living.Reynolds' designs are all inspired by live theater and her piecesthus reflect the idea of simple and quick scene changes, which cantransform a space in a matter of seconds.
The collection features amodular bookshelf which hides and stores within its frame two tablesand four chairs. The hidden additional furniture pieces can be pulledout with ease and are instantly ready for use, without the need for folding or assembly.
A smaller unit once again features a larger table and five stools. The stools can be used for seating, a small coffee table or even as a bedside table. This model could be great for the kids play area or for families living in small spaces.
"It is a dual function product," says Reynolds. "It is intended for small living spaces or for those who wish to cater to the unexpected guests."
The As If From Nowhere series is available for purchase online and delivered fully assembled with prices starting from €700 (US$805).
YoungItalian designer Alessandra Meacci presenteda series of nature-inspired bookcases, vases, decorative wall itemsand planters. The colorful series of circular vertical displaypieces can be utilizedas shelving or to create beautifulgreen walls or vertical gardens. The individual designs can be usedto liven up or separate interiors spaces of the home or office andthey can also be used outdoors.
"Vertical gardens, vegetable walls and green roofs are the themes that have always fascinated me," says Meacci. "I consider them an excellent resource in the design and use of space, both from an aesthetic point of view and from a practical standpoint. The use of green as an architectural element, the division of a space with a plant wall, creating an indoor garden in an office or in an apartment, give the home a softness and a warmth not available in any other way."
Eightstudents from the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and DesignHalle in Germanyshowcased their unique collection of children's furniture titled"PLAY." The students were asked to come up with designs that could inspirechildren's imagination for play time. Madeprimarily of wooden materials the collection features a bed, shelf,table, chair and lamps, all created in an imaginative manner.
The "Heartbeat Table" by Scottie Huang is an exciting installation that showcases a light bulb table that transforms an individual's heartbeat into light. The concept creates an alternative way to experience a kinetic input with an everyday object. The table utilizes bio-sensors that read the user's heartbeat signal, which then lights up the bulbs, representing a unique lighting rhythm.
"Heartbeat Table is an installation that embodies the emotion from private personal heartbeat into lighting rhythms," says Huang. "Creating an alternative way to visualize bio-information."
For a look at other designs that were on display duringthis year's SaloneSatellite, be sure to check out the complete photo gallery.
