Best of Salone Satellite // Milan 2013.

Tucked away in the back corner of the gigantically enormous RHO Fiera and it’s 24 epic halls, Salone Satellite 2013 brought together the most promising young designers from around the world. After being chosen by the Selection Committee drawn from the pool of international professionals from the world of design, architecture and media, hundreds of young designers (under 35) and students presented their products and prototypes to the media and talent scouts. Needless to say, a few of these designers will go on to become future stars, and I find it such a real thrill to witness some of this action fist hand and possibly even play a small part in the process.

This year I found Salone Satellite to be of the highest standard I’ve seen to date. Not only did I discover quite a few examples of outstanding work, the event itself seemed more impressive than usual. From the layout, to graphics, to “live” workshops and hangout spaces – everything felt bigger, brighter and better this year. Here are my top picks of new designers and products on show at Salone Satellite 2013.

OJENTAA light by Mari Isopahkala. Image courtesy of Mari Isopahkala.

NOJAA#1 light by Mari Isopahkala. Image courtesy of Mari Isopahkala.

MIRKKU light by Mari Isopahkala. Image courtesy of Mari Isopahkala.

NOJAA#2 light by Mari Isopahkala. Image courtesy of Mari Isopahkala.

VIIKARI turning mobile ceiling light by Mari Isopahkala. Image courtesy of Mari Isopahkala.

If I had to pick my absolute favourite from Salone Satellite 2013, sculptural lighting by Mari Isopahkala would be it. Her graceful lights are made from waxed birch, and painted in primary hues of red, yellow and blue, and occasionally green. So beautiful and Mondrian-esque, I am absolutely positively in love. Isopahkala works in the areas of furniture, jewellery, lighting and interior design. She lives and works in Helsinki, Finland.

Globe Lights by Studio Vit. Photos by Annabel Elston, courtesy of Studio Vit.

Another absolute favourite were these stunning Globe Lights by London-based Studio Vit, formed by Swedish designers Helena Jonasson and Veronica Dagnert. Their latest collection consists of small globe shaped pendants and large steel reflectors. The matt ceramic spheres can be used on their own, grouped together or to cast light on to reflectors in gloss painted metal. The collection explores how geometric volumes relate to each other and the juxtaposition of materials and light. Delicate and simply divine.

Hanging Canvas Chairs by studio YOY. Photo © Yasuko Furukawa, courtesy of studio YOY.

One of the crazies concepts I’ve seen this trip were the Hanging Canvas Chairs by Tokyo-based studio YOY. These two dimensional hanging furniture pieces are constructed from a timber and aluminium frame, with a stretchy printed fabric cover showing different types of furniture. These pieces work once the frame leans agains the wall, and the fabric stretches when weight is applied. Available in three sizes – stool, love seat and sofa.

Brass Shelves by Samuel Treindl. Image courtesy of Samuel Treindl.

IKEA PS cabinet cutouts by Samuel Treindl. Image courtesy of Samuel Treindl.

German designer Samuel Treindl creates furniture and other objects based on a “parasite strategy” – i.e. the shelves and other objects are products simultaneously. Triendl first set out to customise an IKEA PS cabinet by cutting out pieces of metal, out of which he made a clock. His latest piece is a Brass Shelf which simultaneously creates a clock, a series of hooks, hinges etc. His pieces reflect the whole process and a history of the production.

ECCO Chair (lounge and dining version) by Andrea Borgogni. Images courtesy of Andrea Borgogni.

ECCO Chair (lounge and dining version) by Andrea Borgogni. The frame on these chairs is made from one piece of steel tube curved in one step. Also available in all white. Super hot!

Rubber Lamp by Thomas Schnur. Photos by Alexander Böhle, courtesy of Thomas Schnur.

Rubber Lamp by Cologne-based product designer Thomas Schnur consists of two parts – the interior with flexible steel rod, switch and electrical components, and the heat resistant silicone exterior. Very clever, except there’s just one thing I’m not sure of here – that bottom image. I mean, why would you chose to photograph the lamp in such a sad, flaccid state…

HOMELESS rocking chair by Mecedorama. Image courtesy of Mecedorama.

MAR double rocking chair by Mecedorama. Image courtesy of Mecedorama.

JONES and JAIME rocking chairs by Mededorama. Images courtesy of Mecedorama.

PILAR and MARIA & JM rocking chairs by Mededorama. Images courtesy of Mecedorama.

Mecedorama is a rocking chair factory, born in Madrid in late 2011 by a Colombian/ Caribbean Coast artisan Rogelio, and designers Lys Villalba, Maria Mallo and Juanito Jones. Mecedorama designs, welds, paints and plaits rocking chairs – each one is made to order by hand. Check out their whole range here.

Giraffe Floor Lamp by BERNHARD | BURKARD. Images courtesy of BERNHARD | BURKARD.

Giraffe Floor Lamp by Swiss duo BERNHARD | BURKARD follows both principles of functional and iconic design. The lever of the lamp works by a system of scissors on a curved shape. This technical innovation makes the lamp flexible and adaptable in any situation. The designers are currently looking for a producer and a distributor of the lamp.

Pencil Light table lamp by Caroline Olsson. Photos by Kaja Bruskeland, courtesy of Caroline Olsson.

Switch wall light by Caroline Olsson. Photos by Kaja Bruskeland, courtesy of Caroline Olsson.

Norwegian designer Caroline Olsson presented two lamps inspired by the analogue world and traditional craft as points of reference for her pieces. Her Pencil Light table lamp is also a small wooden holder for pens and pencils – an invitation by the designer to do more writing and drawing by hand. Olsson’s Switch wall light was inspired by old-fashioned light switches, with one located in the middle of the lamp. Made from coloured glass, the light has an aluminium base painted the same shade as the glass.

LINEE Chair by Taewoo Kim. Image courtesy of Taewoo Kim.

MODIFIED Coat Hanger by Taewoo Kim. Image courtesy of Taewoo Kim.

Asterisk Light by Taewoo Kim. Image courtesy of Taewoo Kim.

Seoul-born, Milan-based designer Taewoo Kim is a Mechanical Engineering turned Industrial Designer – this change in career path is quite evident in his work and his approach. Kim’s Linee Chair is based on 12 lines and made out of steel. The structure is constructed by connecting the points of force with fewest possible lines required to create a stable and efficient structure. Modified Coat Hanger features a cut structural detail which part-functions as a hook. The hanger is made from plastic with inner steel structure. Asterisk Light is a flexible desk lamp with adjustable LED bars, allowing for personalisation of light position.

OMOTO Bench from Another Small Studio. Designed by Tom Shaw. Image courtesy of Another Small Studio.

NW6 Clock from Another Small Studio. Designed by Linda Raimondo. Image courtesy of Another Small Studio.

PRESTON Table from Another Small Studio. Designed by Tom Shaw. Image courtesy of Another Small Studio.

Tom Shaw and Linda Raimondo are the founders of Another Small Studio in Melbourne (Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!) Their first collection was launched at this year’s show. Omoto Bench is inspired by the Japanese city of Tokyo. It is constructed using three elemental components, using gravity to hold its visually delicate form. The leg components are held together using traditional dry joints. NWC Clock has removable timber notches which make it possible to set a reminder for a meeting, a lunch or a hot date at the pub. Preston Table takes inspiration from the Australian city of Melbourne. Assembled using delicate sections of laser cut steel, Preston’s graphical element creates a number of hidden forms.

TOTO Floor Lamps,  Janus Tabletop an Equerre Dining Chair by Veronika Wildgruber. Image courtesy of Veronika Wildgruber.

Janus Tabletop by Veronika Wildgruber. The tabletop has a shifting gradient finish that transforms from rough timber panel to white high gloss. Image courtesy of Veronika Wildgruber.

TOTO Floor Lamp by by Veronika Wildgruber. Image courtesy of Veronika Wildgruber.

Berlin-based designer Veronika Wildgruber presented a number of products this year – i.e. Equerre Dining Chair with upholstered seat and back, and Janus Tabletop with shifting gradient finish. However, it was her TOTO Floor Lamp that really caught my attention. Toto can be bent in all directions – the ball joint in the base ensure the lamp can pivot 360° and in excess of 30° towards the floor. It can be used as an adjustable reading lamp or a ambient light. Very elegant and graphic.

If you’re paying super close attention, you may recall that I already featured Wildgruber‘s work in my roundup post after visiting NOW! LE OFF // Paris Design Week 2012.

Terho & Tatti Lamps by Maija Puoskari. Photo by Chikako Harada, courtesy of Maija Puoskari.

Finish designer Maija Puoskari presented Tatti table lamp and Terho pendant lights inspired by nature (mushroom and acorns respectively). The lamps are made from white mouth-blown glass and Finish alder wood.

KAMP Sofa by studio KAMKAM. Images courtesy of studio KAMKAM.

KAMP Sofa by studio KAMKAM. This foldable sofa is designed in response to a modern lifestyle or for a temporary stay. The seat can be separated from the base – the top rolls up while the bottom folds, making the sofa easy to transport.

Ripple Lamp is a collaboration project between Poetic Lab and Studio Shikai. Images courtesy of Poetic Lab.

Shadow Clock by Poetic Lab.  Images courtesy of Poetic Lab.

London-based RCA graduates, Poetic Lab and Studio Shika, collaborated on an show titled Beyond Object with a collection of objects composed by light and shadow. Their Ripple Lamp studies the beauty of glass as a material. Single focus light beam projects through a gently rotating mouth-blown glass dome – this creates a beautiful play of shadow and light forming an ever-changing pattern. Ripple was the Winner of Design Report 2013, and it also won the third prize of Salone Satellite Award.

Shadow Clock by Poetic Lab draws on the idea that time is always closely related to light, either conceptually or experientially. “It is the most intimate sense of time elapsing to see a beam of shadow gently dancing through the space”.

Fibonacci Cabinets by UT.AD (Utopia Architecture & Design). Images courtesy of UT.AD.

Fibbonacci Cabinets by Chinese design & architecture studio UT.AD are based on traditional Chinese medicine storage units, where all the drawers are the same size. In order to make the cabinets multi-functional, the designers applied the principles of the Fibonacci Sequence to rearrange every size of the units in series, which could be used separately or in any combination. The cabinets are made from bamboo, and are available in three different sizes.

The Cement Series Lighting by Bentu Design. Images courtesy of Bentu Design.

Chinese studio Bentu Design creates furniture and lighting using cement and occasionally bamboo accents. These products are a beautiful example of the possibilities of construction waster recycling.

In case you are left wanting more from this event, photo gallery below contains a bit of live action from the location. These photos were taken at Salone Satellite 2013 by Nick Hughes for Yellowtrace. Click on the images to open in larger window. Enjoy!

[Press images courtesy of designers with photography credits as noted. Salone Satellite 2013 gallery images by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.]