'Shrub' tables by Zhili Liu for Quinze & Milan, 2010

To be exhibited at next month’s Milan Furniture Fair by Belgian manufacturer Quinze & Milan are a collection of tables by Chinese designer Zhili Liu called ‘Shrub’. Made of wet-lacquered, power-coated aluminium, the pieces use exposed sunken screws to the hold in position a network of ‘branches’, which together form the tables’ legs.

Detail of 'Shrub' table by Zhili Liu for Quinze & Milan, 2010

Of the tables, the designer says: ‘Chinese manufacturing is usually famous for large quantity, low quality and very limited new material and technology. So for Chinese designers, creating low quantity products with high quality in both design and manufacturing has always been a tougher task than it is in most other places. I have been trying to create high specification products with typical Chinese industrial materials and basic techniques, through unusual design and engineering, and these tables are the first prototypes in this direction – which I believe could be another route for “Chinese design” aside from reinterpreting the traditional decorative elements.’

'Shrub' table by Zhili Liu for Quinze & Milan, 2010

to the Quinze & Milan collections on Architonic

X Collection by Michaël Bihain

The X Collection by the Belgian Michaël Bihain is a series of folded metal furniture and accessories. The new table from this concept will soon be produced by Belgian manufacturer Feld.

X table by Michaël Bihain

X table by Michaël Bihain

to the Michaël Bihain profile @ Architonic

'Shelve' by Lhoas & Lhoas Architects, photo by Maxime Delvaux

101% Designed in Brussels is a yearly presentation organised within the framework of a close partnership between the Foreign Trade Department of the Brussels Capital Region.

'Shelve' by Lhoas & Lhoas Architects, photo by Maxime Delvaux

Within this year’s presentation the architects Lhoas & Lhoas were selected to present their new shelf systems ’shelve’ and ‘unit’. 

‘Shelve’ is a smartly assembled shelf with a number of interchangeable drawers and boxes. 

'Shelve' by Lhoas & Lhoas Architects, photo by Maxime Delvaux

‘Unit’ is modular shelf system which is composed of stackable elements of different dimensions. 

'Unit' by Lhoas & Lhoas Architects, photo by Maxime Delvaux

'Unit' by Lhoas & Lhoas Architects, photo by Maxime Delvaux

'Unit' by Lhoas & Lhoas Architects, photo by Maxime Delvaux

to the Lhoas & Lhoas Architects website

more shelf systems @ Architonic

'Big Table' by Alain Gilles for Bonaldo

Alain Gilles’ ‘Big Table’, manufactured by Bonaldo, has been received a Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum. The plaudit, founded in 1950 by Eero Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames, and Edgar Kaufmann Jr, recognises designers and manufacturers that who advance new, visionary and innovative product concepts.

'Big Table' by Alain Gilles for Bonaldo

Belgian designer Gilles’ ‘Big Table’ features laser-cut steel-plate legs, each with a different width; the result is that one’s perception of the object changes depending on the angle from which it is viewed. The piece is available in three colour options: multicoloured, violet and white. Options for the table top is available in glass or American black walnut.

to the Bonaldo collections on Architonic

'Desile' by Vange

At this year’s Maison & Objet in Paris the Belgian manufacturer Vange presented this folding chair designed by Chrsitian Desile in a new edition.

‘Desile’ can be opened on both sides and the seating can be turned around. This enables the user to chose the preferred colour.

'Desile' by Vange

'Desile' by Vange

to the Vange website

more folding chairs @ Architonic

'Morning Glory' by Wendy Legro

At this year’s ‘Passagen’, one of the major frame programs during the imm cologne, the Belgian designer Wendy Legro presented this poetic, interactive and modular sun blind and illumination system.

'Morning Glory' by Wendy Legro

“In the morining the sun slowly arises as mother nature’s sign for us to wake up. Our body gradually prepares for our daily activities. As the day comes to an end, and the sun sets, curtains are being closed while lights are switched on.”

'Morning Glory' by Wendy Legro

“This product works autonomously with a light-sensor. During the day, mechanical flowers on a frame attached to a window are closed enabling sunlight to come in. 

When sun sets, the flowers open and start to emit light. In this way, awareness for this important phenomenon will be brought back.

My self-set guidelines are based on the mathmatical perfection of nature. I wanted the flower to display nature’s growing motion.                                                                                                                    

The hexagonal shape enables different flowers to be linked together; fully covering a window. The flowers are made of nylon with the SLS-technique used in rapid manufacturing. The material is flexible and strong, without losing its delicate look”, the designer explains.

'Morning Glory' by Wendy Legro

to the Wendy Legro website

House S by dmvA Architecten, photo by Frederik Vercruysse

The Belgian practice dmvA Architecten realised this extension of an existing row house in Mechelen, Belgium.

House S by dmvA Architecten, photo by Frederik Vercruysse

Here is what the architects explain:

Central void – glass floors

“Following a new addition of the family, the owners decided to rebuild their house.

The existing house was extended according to building regulations, 17 m groundfloor, 13 m first floor and 9 m saddle-roof.

Responding to the light problem on the groundfloor, a central void was created, cutting three floors, so light could enter the house via the huge dormer window.

In order not to lose space, the void was filled in with glass floors. This light-shaft organises and connects all different living-functions.”

House S by dmvA Architecten, photo by Frederik Vercruysse

Open house  - own space

“The concept of the central void with glass floors also bears an educational aspect.

By means of the glass floors, a spatial transparency is created through which all spaces are connected. Children are brought up with the emphasis on ‘living together’, one of the main principals in education.

At the same time everyone has the disposal of his own space.”

House S by dmvA Architecten, photo by Frederik Vercruysse

Street – garden, closed- open, dark- light, strict –sculptural

“The façade on street side is in every inch the opposite of the back façade.

The design of the front is the result of the search for sunscreen, privacy, closeness, urbanism. Characteristic to the front façade is not only verticalism, but also the contemporary translation of roller-blinds, so often used in the past.

The back façade, on the contrary, is open, clear, white with large windows.

The design-language applied gives this façade a sculptural character.”

House S by dmvA Architecten, photo by Frederik Vercruysse

House S by dmvA Architecten, photo by Frederik Vercruysse

to the dmvA Achitecten website

'120° Coatstand' prototype by B.dnb designstudio, photo by Karima Hajji

The Belgian designer Benoît Deneufbourg launched his practice B.dnb designstudio in 2004. 

His ‘120° CoatStand’ was inspired by the classic coat rack that we find in the typical Dutch pub. 

“Each pole of the coat stand is connected to the 2 others by smaller poles: 1 on the bottom and 1 on the top. The connections are both structural and usefull: they make the object more rigid and the little extension at each end gives the opportunity to hang an extra coat.”

'120° Coatstand' prototype by B.dnb designstudio, photo by Karima Hajji

 ’120° Coatstand’ is made of solid oak.

'120° Coatstand' prototype by B.dnb designstudio, photo by Karima Hajji

to the B.dnb designstudio profile @ Architonic

'Monarchy' by Feld

‘Monarchy’ is the newest product of the Belgian manufacturer Feld, designed by the Greek designer Yiannis Ghikas. It is a rocking chair, which is designed not to be overturned but at the same time allows the user to escape the dullness of the ultimate stability.

‘Monarchy’ received this year’s red dot design award.

'Monarchy' by Feld

to the Feld website

‘U Chair’ by Sylvain Willenz for Feld

'U Low Chair' by Sylvain Willenz for Feld

The Belgian designer Sylvain Willenz designed this lounge chair for offices, waiting areas or home. ‘U Chair’ with its classic cantilevered typology and plain silhouette is made from flat oval steel tubing which is bent into simple shapes to form the stackable structure. It is upholstered with a high tech woven 3D fabric.

'U Low Chair' by Sylvain Willenz for Feld

‘U Low Chair’ and its Ottoman are the first releases of the U Chair Series. It is produced by the Belgian manufacturer Feld and will be available in December 2009.

more Sylvain Willenz product @ Architonic

to the Feld website