Drought and high temperatures in Catalonia cause many fires during the summer. The authorities are responsible for the forestry work in the country’s woods to prevent them. Pine wood, which makes up most of these forests, is considered of lower value because it is harvested as part of forest management. However, its characteristics are similar to those of other woods in the area.
To enhance the value of this material and to give highlight the issue, the project aims to use this wood for the manufacture of limited-edition furniture. As an example, a stool and a bench have been created. Their shape is dictated by the size of the slats obtained from the tree, minimising processes and making the most of the material. Furthermore, to reduce the carbon footprint, all the furniture is made locally.
Diploma project (2023) by Cristina Rodríguez Solé
BA INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
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.
BA INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Stephane Halmai-Voisard
For this project, the students had to design a seat, or rather requalify and rehabilitate a chair or armchair using existing models such as the monobloc, aluminium bistro chair, or deck chair, as the base structure. Employing Kvadrat upholstery textiles, the designs had to be reversible, meaning it should not alter the existing structure. While the original function of the chair could be maintained or altered, the proposals aimed to improved the comfort and aesthetic character of the seats.
BA INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Adrien Rovero
AGO Lighting has come together with ECAL Bachelor students in Industrial Design, under the guidance of Swiss designer Adrien Rovero, to conceive a collection of lighting installations to be used in public places such as museums, hotel lobbies, coffee bar and so on. Focusing primarily on the spatial aspect of light, our approach was to design lighting structures based on components supplied by AGO and inspired by the fabric of Seoul, rather than creating mere lamps.
MAS DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP
by Shan Yu Kuan
BASUANN draws inspiration from the image of traditional Asian rattan/bamboo chairs. Its name echoes the pronunciation of the Taiwanese meaning “tie with cords”. Comprised of seven pieces of spiral ducts, BASUANN is assembled using mortise and tenon joints to connect the sitting part with the legs part. It is further reinforced by cords that securely bind the stool together. BASUANN seamlessly blends contemporary furniture design with the evocative imagery of Asian traditional craftsmanship, showcasing the aesthetic of minimalistic design.
BA INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Christophe Guberan
Second-year industrial design students collaborated with Zurich-based brand FREITAG Lab, leveraging their expertise in environmental awareness, material upcycling, and the circular economy. Using the FREITAG manifesto as a foundation, they developed new shared products centered on the principle of "access over ownership."