By Editor Design.nl / 18-04-2008

The selection of designers presenting their work at Droog in Milan have been asked to react to the idea of 'going green'. Founder Renny Ramakers shows Design.nl around the exhibition.

In the footsteps of scientific researchers and opinion leaders, designers and manufacturers are also claiming sustainability. Ramakers: 'Droog has always focused on the mental or human side of product design. This presentation wants to inspire by providing sustainability from all kinds of angles. It's not about finding an absolute answer.'

'We come up with the theme, then we invite the designers to work on that theme. The process takes about one year. So, a few weeks after the last Salone we start thinking about the next one. Many of the designers presenting here are very young. We consciously work with young designers because of the new talent and ideas. We are head of the masters course at the Design Academy so we come into contact with young people and in a way 'breed' them through teaching them. This year we also worked with some recently graduated Swiss designers from Lausanne.'

A couple of prototypes included in the show, including Knitting covers and Saving grace are already proving very popular. Renny says the reactions are very good, so they are already thinking about producing them. Some of the other pieces will limited editions.

Cosy chair by SMAQ
There's no need to keep the entire room heated to the same temperature; heating is only necessary where warmth is actually used. The Cosy chair can be plugged into the central heating system. The hot water circulates, loses its warmth and creates various different temperature fields: hot for heating a tea cup or keeping feet warm, or lukewarm for the legs.

Set in concrete by FormaFantasma
The current vogue is for light products, but these designers wanted to make something heavy. By putting porcelain and concrete together each amplifies the qualities of the other. You can't feel the delicateness of the porcelain without perceiving the heaviness of the concrete.

Saving grace by Adrien Rovero
Energy saving lamps are no longer ugly ducklings. The shape of the lamp has taken the shape of the bulb into account and the light now shines softly through.

Knitted covers by Christien Meindertsma
Meindertsma was inspired by a 17th century Dutch knitting work from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Whereas the classic work displayed all kinds of exotic plants and animals, Meindertsma made a digital pattern showing the animals that provided the knitting material as well as their habitat.

Images:
Saving grace for Droog by Adrien Rovero (ECAL). Photo: Gerard van Hees.
Till death do us part for Droog by Martino d'Esposito & Franck Bragigand. Photo: Gerard van Hees.
Table tap for Droog by Arnout Visser. Photo: Gerard van Hees.

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