SALONESATELLITE AWARDS || Honouring Young Talent Leading the Next Wave of Elevated and Sustainable Designs
The 12th SaloneSatellite Awards headlined day 2 of Salone del Mobile, honouring six outstanding exhibits from within the beloved component of the fair dedicated to young talent.
Honoka, a Japanese design lab of product designers, took home the First Prize for Tatami Refab, which combines reclaimed tatami material and 3D printing. Suppose you’ve travelled to Japan before and stayed in a traditional ryokan or visited a friend’s home with tatami mats as the flooring. Now, imagine taking discarded tatami mats and transforming them into contemporary furniture with the help of 3D printing.
The result, as shown below, is what the Product Designers at Honoka have achieved—a beautiful set of elegant designs for a modern home. The furniture set includes a water basin and stool to lighting and flower vases.
Pieces from the Tatami ReFab Project.
Hong Kong-based Studio Ryte was awarded the Second Prize for its Triplex Stool, made using flax, a sustainable wood fibre. The studio describes the piece as pushing the limits of experimental furniture, from the creation to the after-life of the product. The stackable design and ultra-lightweight material make it easy to carry around, while the curves in the design sustain the weight placed atop the stool. At the end of its product life, the biodegradable material is also a bonus for the environment.
Triplex Stool. Photo Credit: Studio Ryte
Ahokpe + Chatalin, appearing at SaloneSatellite as “Belgium is design,” received the Third Prize for their Kudoazò hammock, made from recycled fabric spun in Benin. The multi-coloured design with a wide span makes for a comfortable and environmentally-friendly way to bask in the sunshine.
It’s encouraging to witness the evolution in design to consider form, function, and, more importantly, sustainability. With these leaders paving the way for the next wave of innovation, we’re excited to see what’s next!
Kudoazò hammock.
