Groove

Explanation

Both the shelf and the chair are made from Richlite, a compressed paper-based material, and assembled solely through a slotting system. The works investigate the aesthetic and structural potential of paper composites. The lamp is composed of bent aluminium scales, slotted into one another to form a sculptural light piece. When illuminated, the interplay of light and shadow becomes an integral part of the design.

Modular Materiality

This collection was first developed for Milan Design Week and evolved further for Dutch Design Week. Modularity is a common theme for both Luana and Joséphine. Born from an exploration with paper modelling, the project was then scaled up to life-sized furniture. Both the shelf and the chair are slotted Richlite paper composite pieces assembled without screws or glue. The technique is expressed through a collection of seven pieces. This slotting technique allows each component to be easily replaced if damaged.
The lamp, among the five others originally made, was born from exploring the repetition of a single piece of material to create variations of form of the lampshades. Also originally explored through paper modelling, the designers chose to use metal as the final material, creating shadows and light reflections that are an important part of the final outcome.

Technical collaboration

Luana and Josephine began this project with a strong focus on materiality. Their goal was to work with recycled materials and develop a collection that embodied both aesthetic and ethical value.

They collaborated with Surface Matter, who introduced them to Richlite, a paper-based composite chosen for its durability. They partnered with a manufacturer in Bristol called Shape Studio to bring the project to life. The aim was to design pieces that could be assembled and repaired without screws or glue, allowing each component to be easily replaced if damaged.
For the lighting pieces, they collaborated closely with Chop Chop Laser and Can of Gas Ltd for laser cutting, sanding, and folding. Originally hand-bent in their studio, they decided to use their expertise to produce the lamp shown at Dutch Design Week.

All the companies are based within the UK, which allowed site visits and direct communication. Visiting workshops and maintaining close communication with the technicians allowed us to better understand each stage of the making process, merging design intent with technical expertise.