Christian
Spiess

Enseignements

USM Design Grant - 6th Edition

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

USM Design Grant - 6th Edition

with Christian Spiess, Fondation USM, Théâtre de Vidy

The USM Design Grant is a study grant launched by the Fondation USM to encourage innovation by rewarding a student’s project. For the 6th edition of the USM Design Grant awarded by the USM Foundation, ECAL Bachelor Industrial Design students, under the guidance of Swiss designer Christian Spiess, were asked to design new outdoor seating for the terrace of the Théâtre de Vidy in Lausanne.

Inès Aznar – Fragmented bathroom

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Inès Aznar – Fragmented bathroom

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

My project focuses on the exploration of sanitary facilities, specifically their spatial layout, use and form. In the context of refurbishment, my project aims to transform the bathroom into an independent, self-contained unit. This fundamental shift provides the framework for a new typology: the fragmented bathroom.

Hugo Duport – Rails

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Hugo Duport – Rails

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

I met a professional frame artisan who specialises in custom-made frames. During our conversations, she mentioned the lack of innovative designs in the frame options available in her catalogue and the changing preferences of her customers. This inspired me to design new frames. My project involves creating frames with a range of five different styles for various types of frames: wall-mounted, placed on tabletops, or free-standing. What is more, these frames can be combined in different ways, offering exciting possibilities and fresh visual aesthetics. By expanding the range of frame options, my project allows framers to offer a wider selection and provide greater customisation to customers looking for unique frames with a modern design.

Léonie Sammons – Vue d’en haut

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Léonie Sammons – Vue d’en haut

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

For my graduation project, I have studied the future of ski resorts in the face of diminishing snow cover. Many low- to medium-altitude resorts have had to close due to global warming. Around 180 resorts in France have closed, leaving the lift pylons abandoned. I propose to transform these pylons into perched accommodation to offer a unique mountain experience and create a new tourist attraction. The perched units, located at a height of 10 meters, will offer exceptional panoramic views of the mountain landscape. Inspired by the traditional architecture of mountain huts, they will combine modern comfort with alpine authenticity, promoting harmony with the surrounding natural environment.

Sacha Dufour – Airwear

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Sacha Dufour – Airwear

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

When we are on the water, it is essential to ensure our safety by wearing a flotation jacket. However, many people refuse to do so, ignoring risks such as cramps, thermal shock or injury. Yet we do not hesitate to carry a waterproof bag to protect our belongings from the water. It is in this spirit of responsibility that Airwear was born: an inflatable flotation jacket that incorporates a watertight compartment into its design. When you want to take your valuables with you, simply slip on your waterproof bag like a backpack, then inflate the vest via a tube in the front. Your belongings are safe, and so are you.

Charlotte Dubois – Pierrot

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Charlotte Dubois – Pierrot

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

Pierrot is a project that consists of two modules designed to facilitate access to rocky areas and the lake. These rocky spaces were created long ago by humans to protect the shores. They make access to the lake difficult due to their slippery and ever-changing nature. The objective is to enhance these spaces so that the public can enjoy the lake while preserving the few natural areas that border it. These two platforms of different sizes are made of a wooden structure (Douglass) and a metal net filled with stones, which allows them to adapt to the shape of the lake’s rocks and creates an additional habitat for biodiversity.

Jade Eymann – Made in Sierra Leone

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Jade Eymann – Made in Sierra Leone

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

In Sierra Leone, traditional handicrafts are in decline due to imports, which have deconstructed the qualitative perception of locally made objects for Western standards. My graduation project consists of organising creative workshops for children in a school located in an economically and geographically vulnerable area. I focused my research on woodworking, tailoring and textile printing. The project comprised two stages: first, collaborating with Sierra Leonean artisans to design objects using local materials and techniques then conducting three workshops to introduce children to manual trades, foster creativity and create usable objects within the school premises.

Shania Soares – Alma

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Shania Soares – Alma

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

Alma revolutionises beauty routines for seniors and individuals with arthritis or limited dexterity. Every customer deserves to feel pampered and confident, regardless of their circumstances. The Alma set includes three makeup brushes, a mascara, a lipstick and a makeup palette. The project was designed in collaboration with seniors facing fine motor skill issues, ensuring ease of use.

Noah Watzlawick – Tatable

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Noah Watzlawick – Tatable

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

Tatable is an approach that aims to breathe new life into outdated wooden tables. Instead of being discarded due to their outdated style, these tables are given a new lease of life. We carefully remove the old, stylised legs and replace them with a modern, adjustable and removable Tatable structure. This method allows us to restore the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the tables.

Alicia Berclaz – Doc Pals

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Alicia Berclaz – Doc Pals

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

Doc Pals is a series of objects that aims to create a less stressful environment for children during their medical exam. It contains a blood pressure monitor, tongue depressors and a set of stamps and a colouring mat for the waiting room. Based on the stories paediatricians tell children to reassure them, a teddy bear monitor, a tiger tongue depressor and “healing” stamps have been designed. A story book, available in the waiting room, has also been created for the children during the exams. It contains a short story and some fun activities to occupy the children during stressful moments. Afterwards, the children can take the book home.

Léo Crespin – FOLD

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Léo Crespin – FOLD

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

Fold is a wooden convertible sofa that extends using a flexible hinge made out of fabric. In this way, Fold reduces the amount of hardware required, while still making it functional: simply pull the front part to unfold the cushions, then push it back to return it to its original position.

Alexandre Margueron – La Tsemenâ

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Alexandre Margueron – La Tsemenâ

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

Tsemena features urban furniture that allows people to eat cheese fondue in the city of Bulle. The high table includes a stove that operates with a tray of flammable gel. The two accompanying tools help regulate the flame intensity or extinguish it. It is possible to locate them on Google Maps and to replenish the fondue at any time from a cheese vending machine provided by local artisans. The furniture is made of sheet metal and conventional steel and stainless-steel profiles to minimise production costs for the city. It allows both locals and tourists to appropriate and enjoy a portion of public space for the duration of a meal.

Sven Odermatt – ColorBath

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Sven Odermatt – ColorBath

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

My project is the fruit of my questioning of the growing automation and robotisation of industry. Do human beings still have a place in this industrialised process or are there stages where their contribution might compete with that of the machines? My project consists of faceted modules made of aluminium sheet. Each of them has been manually dipped in colour baths. The result is surfaces with varying hues, drips and other defects that produce unpredictable, highly expressive results.

Julie Meyer – Dôme

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Julie Meyer – Dôme

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

Dôme features a series of modular slabs designed to combine greenery with minerality in the creation of public relaxation areas. This project takes an innovative approach to the use of concrete. The round fibre-reinforced concrete slabs, cast in a textile material, offer unique finesse and a unique curved shape. Cast at my father’s fibre-reinforced concrete plant in Aigle, this project draws from my heritage. The use of textile formwork opens up new aesthetic possibilities, while reducing the material waste associated with traditional rigid formwork. What is more, it improves the quality and density of the concrete by allowing the fabric to evacuate water and bubbles, making the concrete and the slabs more durable.

Aramis Rüdisühli – Aplo

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Aramis Rüdisühli – Aplo

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

Cycling has become an established means of delivery in recent years. However, although it is evolving to meet growing demand, users are still exposed to the discomforts inherent in bicycles. Aplo, the result of a collaboration with Swiss start-up Shematic for their cargo bike Yakbike, facilitates daily use by integrating optimised protection and storage elements. Aplo also features an additional foldable, lightweight windscreen for use in poor weather conditions. Its construction is tailored to the demands of durability and practicality, while incorporating essential bicycle components.

Marco Renna – LEFT(L)OVER

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Marco Renna – LEFT(L)OVER

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

In precast concrete plants, surplus concrete is prepared to avoid shortages during casting operations. However, this surplus, which represents around one to four tonnes per day, is generally discarded. The plant then produces large blocks, which are transported to a landfill site where they become gravel. LEFT(L)OVER aims is to reuse this surplus to create street furniture. Moulds are supplied to the companies to replace their blocks. This collaboration establishes a mutually beneficial exchange. The moulds fit in perfectly with the factory’s habits and logistics. They consist of two detachable parts with the space required for efficient unloading of the concrete and optimisation of the process.

Annick Persechini – Spirulicious

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Annick Persechini – Spirulicious

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

The Spirulicious project aims to promote quality spirulina produced in Switzerland by offering innovative alternatives for its consumption. Often associated with a food supplement in pill form, like medicine, spirulina is actually a superfood that is rich in protein and iron, offering countless nutritional and environmental benefits. Spirulicious features two snacks: SPIRA, a crunchy bar, and SPIRU, an ice cream. Designed for adults, these products are both vegan and dietetic, offering a tasty way to consume spirulina while maintaining its nutritional qualities. SPIRA is designed to be produced on a small-scale by a local farm, while SPIRU is suitable for larger-scale production.

Robin Luginbühl – Disassembly Lab

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Robin Luginbühl – Disassembly Lab

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

The Disassembly Lab is a conceptual and formal study aimed at creating shoes integrated into a sustainable marketing system. Disassembly extends the life of a shoe, making it repairable, restorable, replaceable and recyclable. The aim is to rethink and redefine the way we build and assemble sneakers. This research takes inspiration from various references and explores several distinct concepts. Each concept evolves over the course of the research process, culminating in three shoes, offering a variety of functional and aesthetic solutions. These shoes, with their TPU soles and 3D knitted uppers, are reduced to the essentials, enabling simple, rapid production and assembly and easy recyclability.

Mattia Cook – 1000ppm

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Mattia Cook – 1000ppm

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

Drawing inspiration from the IPCC’s most dire projections and from numerous reports, I envision a future where carbon concentration reaches a staggering 1000 ppm by the end of the century. What will this world look like? To capture this vision, I have designed three distinct objects, each drawing from unique narratives rooted in my hypothetical scenario. Firstly, a low-tech water bottle, ingeniously insulated to withstand the challenges of climatic migration. Secondly, a repair technique specifically designed to mend and waterproof worn-out tennis shoes, embodying resourcefulness in the face of the scarcity of certain resources. Lastly, a nasal device, boas- ting advanced technology capable of filtering and purifying polluted air, serving as a shield against the looming threat of atmospheric contamination.

Bruno Pauli Caldas – Personenwagen 6+2

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Bruno Pauli Caldas – Personenwagen 6+2

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

Personenwagen 6+2 is an electric taxi specifically designed for short trips within urban areas, with an emphasis on local production. It was developed in collaboration with STIMBO, a family-owned business that has been producing electric taxis and commercial vehicles in the Valley of Zermatt since 1980. It is designed as a mobile element of public space, rather than a private commodity. Stripped down to a minimum, the design prioritises simplicity and offers an immersive riding experience for passengers.

Camila Hidalgo – Wood Works Swiss Edition

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Camila Hidalgo – Wood Works Swiss Edition

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

Wood Works Swiss Edition is an investigation into the wood industry and know-how in different parts of the world. In this first issue, the focus is on Switzerland. To explore such a vast universe, the research takes the form of a website, where visitors can browse different way pf working with wood according to categories such as species, region, craft, product, tool and manufacturer. The website features a sample box that provides a glimpse into the intricate expertise and meticulous processes involved in crafting a Swiss wood product.

Aleksandra Nazarova – Uyut

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Aleksandra Nazarova – Uyut

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

Global energy reserves are on the decline. The challenge of efficiently heating homes, particularly the older and poorly insulated ones, is growing. Hemp, having remarkable attributes such as insulation, air purification, bacterial resistance and CO2 absorption, is a fibre that has been making a steady comeback. Its low water requirement for cultivation adds to its appeal. Uyut modules have hemp fibre pockets that prevent the entry of cold air and the exit of warm air, and vice versa. They create warm, smaller spaces within larger rooms and effectively insulate windows, walls and doors. Their flexibility make them a practical and sustainable solution for energy-efficient homes.

Nicolas Honegger – Silverground

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Nicolas Honegger – Silverground

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

The Silverground modules are designed to provide an opportunity for senior citizens to exercise their agility and balance in public spaces. These innovative modules are designed to be built into the ground along a walkway. Available to everyone, they are a great way to practice a fun, intergenerational activity. Balance is an essential skill for seniors. It is exercised through physical activity but is often neglected as we age. Professionally supervised physical activities are often costly for the elderly. These urban modules offer a solution accessible to all and help prevent falls – the main cause of accidents among the elderly.

Jessy Bueno – Garde-frais

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Jessy Bueno – Garde-frais

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

To keep a product fresh, we automatically put it in the refrigerator. However, many foods keep very well (or even better) at room temperature, provided that certain parameters are respected. These parameters, which were once common knowledge, are the basis of my project. The “garde-frais” (cold box) is a new kitchen element. It consists of a pantry in the form of boxes, offering different preservation parameters, along with a small-sized refrigerator and freezer. It is also equipped with a dehydrator, powered by residual heat. With a clear view of quantities and direct involvement, it offers a new perspective on our consumption, bridging ancient knowledge, current energy concerns and future dietary needs.

Lirjeta Maxhuni – Gynecare

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Lirjeta Maxhuni – Gynecare

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

GYNECARE is an innovative gynaecological outfit that aims to protect and provide people with greater safety and reduced vulnerability during medical exams. This project responds to a real need by offering a more comfortable and human alternative for people, while improving the quality of gynaecological care. Gynecare could be the first official outfit in the gynaecological field, designed precisely for these examinations. The outfit is made of hemp fabric, which benefits from unique properties, which are ideally suited to the medical field. For the respect and love of our body.

Sam Lombardo – The Table of the Future

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Sam Lombardo – The Table of the Future

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

The Silverground modules are designed to provide an opportunity for senior citizens to exercise their agility and balance in public spaces. These innovative modules are designed to be built into the ground along a walkway. Available to everyone, they are a great way to practice a fun, intergenerational activity. Balance is an essential skill for seniors. It is exercised through physical activity but is often neglected as we age. Professionally supervised physical activities are often costly for the elderly. These urban modules offer a solution accessible to all and help prevent falls – the main cause of accidents among the elderly. Usually, we find that the room in which we cook is separate from the dining room and therefore, when we prepare a meal, we are away from the rest of the family or from our guests. Beneath its ceramic top, this dining table hides an induction system. This means it can be used to prepare table dishes without additional equipment, or simply as a hob. Indeed, who wouldn’t want to cook while looking after the children, work while preparing tea or coffee, cook a dish surrounded by friends, keep dishes warm or be able to cook raclette directly on the table?

Guillaume Gindrat – Pierre

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Guillaume Gindrat – Pierre

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

In a context of energy crisis and a generalised awareness of the finiteness of available resources, the use of local resources for heating is being taken into consideration. Pierre offers a compact heating alternative. Like its wood, the stove uses locally sourced stones to store the heat. This facilitates transport, while creating a unique composition for each installation.

Antony Gallay – Around the Farm

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Antony Gallay – Around the Farm

with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Carolien Niebling

Around the Farm is a rural accommodation experience. The idea is to create habitable volumes from existing farm constructions. The aim is to promote a change of scenery closer to home for people seeking local tourism. The result is the interior design of a grain silo on two levels. The first floor features a functional room with an entrance area and a shower room. The second is dedicated to the sleeping area, with openings to admire the countryside.

ECAL x BMC - Daily Mobility

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

ECAL x BMC - Daily Mobility

with Christian Spiess

In collaboration with renowned Swiss bicycle brand BMC, second year Bachelor Industrial Design students, under the guidance of Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Head of the programme, and Christian Spiess, Swiss designer and bicycle aficionado, present a collection of handy and colourful accessories for the modern daily bike commute.

Mobile Fan

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Mobile Fan

with Christian Spiess

Fans with USB power supply for mobile use, for the Swiss brand Stadler Form. Stadler Form is a Swiss company that produces fans, humidifiers, purifiers and other air treatment devices. For this project, the students in 2nd year Bachelor Industrial Design, directed by designer Christian Spiess, had to make a “personal” fan, equipped with a USB power supply for mobile use. They had to think of new scenarios and contexts where a small fan would be useful. They were free to explore different usage scenarios, materials, etc. other than those currently in the Stadler Form catalog. The projects had to meet Stadler Form’s high standards of industrial design, but also challenge and question their existing products. Vidéo ECAL x Stadler Form - Agnes Murmann Vidéo ECAL x Stadler Form - Alex Nguyen Vidéo ECAL x Stadler Form - Stéphane Mischler Vidéo ECAL x Stadler Form - Lucie Herter Vidéo ECAL x Stadler Form - Alexandre Desarzens Vidéo ECAL x Stadler Form - Constance Thiessoz

Rodolphe Pupille – Tilt

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Rodolphe Pupille – Tilt

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

“Tilt” is a shoe rack made of birch plywood. The two-way mirror front enables users to see themselves while providing a showcase for the shoes on display. The opening direction of the drawer is adjustable, meaning the “Tilt” shoe rack can be placed in a corner or in the middle of a wall. The inside of the drawer is lined with linoleum as a reference to collectable furniture. The neutral background enhances the details of each shoe while protecting the wood. Finally, a gradation in the opacity of the mirror highlights the worn pair, as a reinterpretation of angled shoe mirrors in shoe shops.

François Lafortune – Clap

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

François Lafortune – Clap

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

The “Clap” chair emerged from a reflection on the evolution of student working spaces. Work habits and office structures have massively changed. Classrooms have transformed into open spaces where desks and chairs belong to everyone. “Clap” is a chair with a storage system that enables you to keep your personal belongings safe for a short break thanks to a lock, while ensuring good ergonomics. It consists of an injection-moulded plastic structure and a seat made of moulded plywood. The project was developed based on the act of sitting like an act of appropriation.

Clémence Buytaert – Midi

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Clémence Buytaert – Midi

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

Following up on my thesis “Eating without a Table”, which focuses on workers who have lunch in the public space, I designed a piece of urban furniture for eating alone or in pairs. “Midi” is a cast iron and wood structure that allows for different positions of use, its arched shape providing several composition possibilities to the city that will implement it.

Salomé Doucet – Sadji

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Salomé Doucet – Sadji

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

“Sadji” is a set for people who make their own makeup. It features a different container for each of the three different textures that can be obtained, creams, hard pastes and powders, as well as a press. Thanks to glass lids, the colours and textures are visible. The various elements are then laid on a ceramic board that can also hold brushes or other makeup. The project is in line with a zero-waste lifestyle but also seeks to restore value to the moment it is associated with, like an invitation to take time for oneself, as was the case in the past.

Nicolas El Kadiri – Jim

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Nicolas El Kadiri – Jim

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

With the rise of street workout, appropriating urban infrastructure to do body toning exercises is becoming increasingly common. “Jim” is a street furniture project that seeks to incorporate training equipment within the urban landscape in a more fluid manner than outdoor gymnastic and callisthenic parks and whose use remains open to all. The very rationalised shape is designed to enable a certain number of poly-articular movements thanks to the steel tube grips on each side and two platform levels made of ash wood, while providing multiple seating positions.

Alix Doussot – Beach Access System

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Alix Doussot – Beach Access System

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

In 2015, a French law required public places to be made accessible to everyone. Considered sensitive due to its nature, the sea shore was not subjected to the same measures as in cities. This system provides access to sand and water for everyone, including people with reduced mobility, throughout the year, while establishing permanent boundaries between transit areas and areas to preserve. The whole system is made up of three types of wooden floor and steel elements that facilitate movement and that can withstand the harsh coastal weather conditions.

Bruno Adrien Aguirre – The Guardian

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Bruno Adrien Aguirre – The Guardian

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

Nowadays, the majority of museums use traditional chairs for their supervisors. “The Guardian” is a chair resulting from observations and reflections on this job that I performed alongside my studies at ECAL. The aim was to meet a series of criteria that include the requirements of the job, the user (the supervisor) and the museum context. “The Guardian” is a chair designed with proportions adjusted to its use and environment.

Charlotte Piau – Nommo

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Charlotte Piau – Nommo

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

“Nommo” features a pair of containers designed to prepare hot and cold infusions such as coffee, tea and flavoured waters. With this project I focused on the issue of rituals and what the preparation of these different drinks has in common. Each container is designed with a particular material in accordance with the type of infusion to which it is dedicated. The infusion is made with a filter common to these different elements. This project aims to bring the preparation of infusion back to the centre of the table to create opportunities for sharing.

Leila Farra – Traces

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Leila Farra – Traces

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

“Traces” is a collection of paintbrushes made out of rattan and horsehair. The idea behind this research was to experiment with the tools. Movement, the design of the handle and the hair position influenced the result. The first tests on paper led to experiments on fabric, resulting in a series of painted textiles whose patterns stem directly from the brushstrokes. This project enabled me to immerse myself into two ancestral crafts, wickerwork and paintbrush manufacturing, which I was then able to merge to create a collection between art and design.

Bérengère Bussioz – Sun

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Bérengère Bussioz – Sun

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

Initially used on boats during transatlantic crossings, the sun lounger, also known as a deckchair, has become in the last few years, an essential outdoor piece of furniture that embodies the good times spent outside during the summer. “Sun” consists of a stackable, powder-coated tubular frame. It combines simple lines with quality materials to meets the requirements of outdoor furniture. The generous proportions evoke comfort, while the symmetrical design allows for simple use and easy change of the fabric, thereby extending its life cycle.

Alice Dermange – Culina Hortus

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Alice Dermange – Culina Hortus

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

“Culina Hortus” is an indoor ceramic lamp for aromatic plants that complements natural light. There are two lighting positions, one for a single pot and its plant, the second for several containers and their plants.

Jérémy Aberlé – NATT

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Jérémy Aberlé – NATT

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

As some great architects of modernism used to say, the issue for major cities is that man is completely disconnected from nature. This is why I decided for my graduation work, to create urban structures at the crossroads of design and architecture that aim to reconnect human beings with nature. These consist of tubular steel elements on which nets are strung for people to rest. These structures are intended to be set up around trees, in parks or schoolyards, where human activity interacts with green spaces.

Estelle Rougerie – Clip

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Estelle Rougerie – Clip

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

This project addresses the temporality of furniture. When does one need a table, for how long, and for what use? “Clip” is an auxiliary table made from wood, intended for indoor and outdoor use and to meet daily needs.  It can easily be assembled, moved, disassembled and stored. The top is attached to the legs with a clip system. Thanks to the use of wood, the table fits comfortably in a variety of environments. For an aperitif, an improvised meal or a sociable moment, one clip and Bob’s your uncle!

Martin Stricker – Notch

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Martin Stricker – Notch

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

Designed to meet the needs of experienced skiers, “Notch” is a ski helmet with integrated goggles. Nowadays, wearing a helmet and goggles is self-evident: these two objects have every reason to be merged into one. Visor helmets seen on ski slopes have a bad reputation with experienced skiers who deem their design and functionality disappointing. Based on my own experience as a professional skier, the project was developed in an innovative fashion in order to blend together the best existing solutions in a completely integrated design.

Ralph Ethan Valladares – Bleuboard

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Ralph Ethan Valladares – Bleuboard

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

Across time and cultures, games have always been a great way for all kinds of people to gather and spend time together. “Bleuboard” is a compact, modular board game system. You can setup up to 50 different boards easily thanks to its individual bits of board. Featuring games of alignment, battle, hunting, capture, you name it, “Bleuboard” is jam-packed with a large selection of diverse games featuring many different game mechanisms, which allows its users to choose a game depending on their mood.

Sven Abplanalp – M–W256

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Sven Abplanalp – M–W256

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

“M–W256” is a project that started as a comprehensive analysis of fasteners from the textile industry. This research led me to work on the idea of symmetry through connectors while exploiting its advantages. Suited to a variety of daily situations and designed for urban mobility, “M–W256” is a bag that offers versatility. Developed specifically for this portable item, the androgynous clip enables the user to connect straps in many different configurations for greater adaptability.

Louis Bétin – Traveler

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Louis Bétin – Traveler

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

Enjoying sustainable transport, stopping wherever you want and bivouacking without trouble were the three main markers of my thought process. “Traveler” is designed to meet the essential needs of an independent traveller: transport, sleep and shelter. The polypropylene shell provides a safe and waterproof storage space. The suspended bed offers a comfortable sleeping area and easy access to the cargo hold. Finally, the aluminium roof structure keeps the equipment sheltered and guarantees effective protection against the weather when opened out.

Swann Fardel – Focus

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Swann Fardel – Focus

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

In the last few years, working from home has become increasingly popular, bringing with it its share of drawbacks and distractions. Working from home means mixing one’s living and working spaces, which can turn out to be a real challenge. With its textile space divider, “Focus” is a desk that truly enhances the comfort of its user. Thanks to its wheels, the panel can be easily adjusted and adapted to any situation. During a videoconference for example, users can slide the board behind them in order to blur the background, thus preserving their privacy.

Olivia Dall'Omo – Zenith

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Olivia Dall'Omo – Zenith

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

“Zenith” is a collection of durable shutters made from rattan where the weaving facilitates the management of light, heat and the outside view. Each blind consists of a steel structure covered in a relatively dense braided motif inspired by mashrabiya. The shutters project shadows inside, bringing the environment to life. This project focuses on rattan craft and rethinks its manufacturing process in a semi-industrial way.

Nadia El-Hindi – Chef !

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Nadia El-Hindi – Chef !

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

Immersion into the highly codified world of cutlery made me discover the delicate and threatening duality of knives. Guided by my observations of the forms and details relating to steel work, I chose to open up the boundaries of this field with the help of a craftsman. Thus, I created “Chef!”, a line of kitchen knives that combines the intelligence of craftsmanship with the precision of the industry. The steel blade, protected by a natural anti-corrosive treatment called “seasoning”, is attached to the handle thanks to assembly that is directly inspired by hammers.

Jeanne Mercier – N167

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Jeanne Mercier – N167

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

During a night at sea, at anchor or in the harbour, boats are immersed in darkness. This lamp illuminates the sociable moments you have on the boat. The user suspends the lamp, inspired by mooring cleats, with a rope according to his/her needs. Waterproof and shock-resistant thanks to its protective ring, the lamp is adapted to the risks of its environment.

Charlotte Krzentowski – Emineo

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Charlotte Krzentowski – Emineo

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

Mention Très bien In most households the dining table is at the heart of the action. It is seen as a lively place, where people eat, work, play and cook but most of all, where people gather together. “Emineo” is a height-adjustable dining table that can be adjusted with the help of a piston for various possible uses.

Emilie Stoll – Optimist

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Emilie Stoll – Optimist

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

At the crossroads of poetry and technique, the parasol is an object whose intended use could still be improved since most of the time, its mechanism closes on the user. “Optimist” offers a new typology of parasol with an inverted opening of the shade fabric. Each part of its mechanism is designed to be as simple and effective as possible, both functionally and aesthetically. Fiberglass profiles and ropes have replaced the rigid and brittle profiles of existing models, enabling the parasol to be flexible in the wind and hence, more durable.

Dora Hayat – Tote

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Dora Hayat – Tote

with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Christian Spiess, Maddalena Casadei

“Tote” is a shopping bag on wheels which, when not used, can accompany its user throughout the day without taking up too much space. As a student I usually go shopping right after school. Strictly designed for a round trip to the supermarket, the traditional caddy is too bulky to be carried around all day. With “Tote”, I sought to combine the compact look of a tote bag, carried over the shoulder, with the practical side of a shopping cart on wheels. With a few simple gestures, it transforms from its folded position to its practical function.

Maiensäss

PRODUCT DESIGN

Maiensäss

with Christian Spiess

Projects

Diplomas

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Diplomas

by Maria Beltran, Emmanuelle Besson, Camille Blin, Nina Breuker, Gregory Brunisholz, Adrien Bugari, Michel Charlot, Thomas Dromelet, Béatrice Durandard, Adrien Fasel, Jonathan Gehri, Vanessa Gerotto, Tiphaine Golaz, Martin Haldimann, Vladimir Jaccard, Michal Korolec, Laure Krayenbühl, Simon Lécureux, Emmanuel Mbessé, Lisa Ochsenbein, Valérie Pache, Sofya Angel Penedo, Julien Renault, Julien Rosina, Delphine Rumo, Valérie Sauvin, Christian Spiess, Laurence Stoffel, Arnault Weber

Diploma projects of 2009.

Visilab

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Visilab

with Alexis Georgacopoulos

The project was to design one pair of glasses that would fit into the product range of Visilab.