T Shelf by Formafantasma for Hem.

Photo by Marco Cappelletti.

Photo by Marco Cappelletti.

Photo by Marco Cappelletti.

Photo by Marco Cappelletti.

In one of the cooler collaborations we’ve seen in a while, Hem has teamed up with the otherworldly talented Milan-based duo Formafantasma to debut T Shelf, a new functional and quietly sophisticated shelving system. Utilising an extruded aluminium composition, traditionally used in industrial manufacturing processes, the T Shelf is a highly complex innovation that starts with a seemingly simple T profile, allowing long unsupported spans and elegant yet sturdy construction.

Hem founder, Petrus Palmer, first discovered Formafantasma’s work in 2010 and continued to follow closely in admiration. Petrus said: “It was clear from the start that they had a certain sensibility and deep understanding and appreciation of both materials and culture.” In 2017, Petrus approached the studio about a collaboration, and after five years of skilful product development, it doesn’t disappoint.

For Formafantasma, the desire was to create a piece that would be timeless and responsible. “Working with aluminium was something we really wanted to do, it’s important to us that our work is not wasteful. Extrusion creates minimal waste and aluminium is easily recyclable.” The team got Hydro onboard, a company that specialises in high-quality aluminium and sustainability. Working with their material Hydro Restore, the T Shelf is made from a combination of recycled pre-and-post consumer scrap, and primary aluminium.

“Working with Hem felt like a very natural fit, the collaborative and open brief that Petrus and the team offered allowed us to really push creative boundaries,” Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin of Formafantasma explain. “The production was challenging, but Hem’s patience with the long process of prototyping and testing resulted in a final product which looks minimal and elegant but is really a masterpiece of design and manufacturing.”

The piece is available in anodized aluminium and can be arranged in various modules that connect, allowing the configuration to extend. The minimalist characteristics consist of a thin profile, smooth surface, rounded edges and no visible hardware. Find out more at hem.com.

Related: ExCinere Volcanic-Ash-Glazed Tiles by Formafantasma for Dzek.

Photo by Erik Lefvander.

[Images courtesy of Hem. Photography by Erik Lefvander & Marco Cappelletti.]