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Throughout product-design history, there are those moments that have proven that two (or three or four) minds can be greater than one. Consider some of the most iconic chairs the world has seen, from the Eames Aluminum Group series (Charles and Ray Eames / Herman Miller) popping up in many a modern office to the Egg chair (Arne Jacobsen / Republic of Fritz Hansen), which was originally created for a hotel. Whether they were specifically commissioned or snatched up or conceived for mass production, these creations demonstrate that guest designers and manufacturers are a winning combination. We take a look back at some of the product collaborations that wowed us in the 2015 A+Awards.
Flos (photo at top by Germano Borrelli)
String Lights (Michael Anastassiades / Flos)
This playful suspension light (also at top) cleverly allows users to create a striking spatial design with the luminaire’s 39- or 66-foot (12- or 20-meter) Kevlar-reinforced cables. The diffuser is made of die-cast aluminum that has been varnished in matte black.
3M Architectural Markets
Vessel by 3M + Todd Bracher (Todd Bracher / 3M Architectural Markets)
These pendants appear to be simple cylinder blocks — until they’re powered on. The solid quartz light guides cast soft circles of uniform light from a single LED source. The light guides come in three lengths (two to 12 inches) with a cap and power cord in clear anodized, black-, wine-, slate-, bronze-, or gold-finished aluminum. A sconce version is also available.
Duravit
Vero Furniture (Kurt Merki, Jr. / Duravit)
The simple rectangle informs the clean, modern aesthetic of Vero bath furniture. The collection consists of wall-mounted sink consoles, cabinetry, mirror panels and cabinets, and towel rails.
Graff
Ametis Ring (Davide Oppizzi / Graff)
Not your ordinary showerhead, Ametis Ring offers two different shower experiences — rain and waterfall — as well as water jets and six-color LED chromatherapy. The unit is available in polished chrome, architectural black, or architectural white.
Agape
Nivis (Andrea Morgante / Agape)
Andrea Morgante of Shiro Studio developed this washbasin with two gently contoured cavities or dimples, one holding the drain, the other an overflow hole. The sculptural piece is composed of Cristalplant, a bio-based material, and comes in a wall-mounted, freestanding, drop-in, or above-counter style. Nivis is available in the United States via DOM Interiors.
12th Avenue Iron
Tom Kundig Collection Fireplace Tools (Tom Kundig / 12th Avenue Iron)
Designed by Olson Kundig Architects principal Tom Kundig, this set consists of a fireplace shovel and poker on its own minimalist welded stand. The tools are constructed from blackened steel with a wax finish or bead-blasted stainless steel.
August
August Smart Lock (Yves Behar / August)
Not exactly a collaboration in the conventional sense, this smart door lock was the brainchild of celebrated product designer Yves Behar and tech entrepreneur Jason Johnson. The two launched a whole new brand around the product’s concept: August. The company’s debut product is a handsome, round keyless lock that was designed to install easily and be controlled by smartphones. The locks are offered in copper, dark gray, red, and silver.
Bendheim
Hospitality Collection by Bart Halpern (Bart Halpern / Bendheim)
Safety laminated glass gets a glamorous look thanks to five shimmery textiles from Bart Halpern’s Glitterati collection: silver, gold, champagne, copper, and black. Well-suited to partitions, doors, windows, balustrades, and ceilings, the product can be laminated to mirror or back-painted for a different visual effect. The 5/16-inch-thick glass sheets come in formats up to 60 by 120 inches.
Salvatori
Raw (Piero Lissoni / Salvatori)
Available in the United States via Stone Source, this line conceived by Piero Lissoni fools the eye: its rugged, textural surface and plank format evokes rough sawn wood, but it’s really made of marble or limestone. Raw comes in Bianco Carrara, Nublado, Creme D’Orcia, or Pietra D’Avola.
Nucraft
Kai (Joey Ruiter / Nucraft)
The elegant Kai conference table features a 5/16-inch-thick aluminum tabletop with a suspension bridge-like supporting rail. The top can be finished with veneer, paint, or glass, while the base can be specified as metal legs or rectangular slabs. Coordinating conference- and buffet-height credenzas are also available.
Vondom
Voxel Chair (Karim Rashid / Vondom)
The faceted, prism-like Voxel is an injected-polypropylene stacking chair that is suitable for indoor or outdoor use. It comes in clear, clear bronze, clear gray, white opaque, or black opaque finishes.
Davis Furniture
Rox (Burkhard Vogtherr / Davis Furniture)
Defined by contrasting angles that keep the eye moving, this chair comes in either a rocking or fixed model composed of a steel frame finished in chrome or five standard powder-coat finishes. The back can be upholstered, webbed, or quilted in any of Davis’s standard webbing and fabric or leather offerings. Upholstered arm caps are also available.