SaloneSatellite marked its 25th anniversary with a Hong Kong exhibition showcasing 104 designs from its Permanent Collection, reflecting its legacy and the future of innovative design.
November 11-21—SaloneSatellite celebrated its 25th anniversary by bringing its renowned Permanent Collection to Hong Kong’s Arts Pavilion for a special exhibition. This was the collection’s first appearance in Asia. Featuring 104 pieces selected from its 1998–2024 archive, the team behind SaloneSatellite organized the SaloneSatellite Permanent Collection Exhibition in collaboration with the International Design Furniture Fair Hong Kong (IDFFHK).
The exhibition highlighted the evolution of emerging talent over the past quarter-century and offered a glimpse into the newly launched SaloneSatellite Collection, capturing the fresh aesthetics and innovative ideas driving the next generation of design.
Since its founding in 1998, SaloneSatellite has been a dynamic platform for young designers to experiment with materials, forms, and techniques, from traditional craftsmanship to 3D printing. This exhibition offered a unique opportunity to see how emerging voices are redefining functionality and style, bridging the past with the future of design.
Celebrating Material Innovation: Studio RTYE, Oskar Zięta, and Dirk Wynants
Among the standout pieces in the exhibition, Studio RTYE’s Triplex Stool in Flax Fiber (2019) exemplifies sustainable design with a modern twist. As the only Hong Kong representation in the SaloneSatellite Permanent Collection, the stool showcases a masterful use of flax fiber, a renewable material celebrated for its strength and eco-friendly properties. The stool’s sleek, minimalist aesthetic is complemented by its durable structure, reflecting Studio RTYE’s commitment to blending form and function.
Similarly, Oskar Zięta’s Plopp Stool (2008) demonstrates material innovation through FiDU (Free Inner Pressure Deformation) technology. This cutting-edge process involves inflating two welded steel sheets under high pressure, resulting in a lightweight, durable, and visually striking three-dimensional form. The stool’s playful yet industrial aesthetic challenges traditional design norms, blurring the line between art and function. Both the Triplex Stool and Plopp Stool highlight how experimentation with materials and techniques can redefine what furniture can achieve, merging practicality with artistic creativity.
Dirk Wynants’ Virus Picnic Table (2017) stands out for its combination of high-quality materials and advanced manufacturing techniques. The table’s components are made from Magnelis (corrosion-resistant steel) for the tabletop and seating, inox (stainless steel) for the legs, and electro-zinc-treated steel for the frame, ensuring durability and resistance to outdoor conditions. Wynants employed techniques such as rotational forming for the tabletop and seating areas, tube folding for the legs, and laser cutting, folding, and welding for the frame. The Virus Picnic Table exemplifies how cutting-edge materials and processes can be harnessed to create stylish, long-lasting, and sustainable outdoor furniture.
Together, these works demonstrate how diverse materials and techniques can redefine furniture, balancing innovation, sustainability, and usability.
Bridging Tradition and Innovation: Nendo, Carlo Contin, and Harri Koskinen
The fusion of tradition and modernity is evident in Nendo’s Chab Table (2004), Carlo Contin’s Satellite Fruit Bowl (1999), and Harri Koskinen’s Block Lamp (1997). Nendo’s Chab Table takes inspiration from the traditional Japanese chabudai, reinterpreting it as a versatile and multifunctional piece. With its lightweight frame, adjustable height, and detachable tabletop, the Chab Table serves as both a low tea table and a modern coffee table.
Carlo Contin’s Satellite Fruit Bowl pays homage to artisanal craftsmanship while embracing modern aesthetics. The fruit bowl’s geometric design is functional and visually striking, making it a timeless addition to any home. Its thoughtful construction seamlessly integrates classic design principles with contemporary sensibilities, ensuring its place as an enduring favorite in home décor.
Meanwhile, Harri Koskinen’s Block Lamp revolutionizes the concept of lighting with its hand-cast components and innovative cooling process. Encased in solid glass, the lamp’s bulb creates a striking visual effect while ensuring safe heat management. Since its debut, the Block Lamp has become an iconic piece in modern lighting design, celebrated for its minimalist style and technical ingenuity.
Together, these works illustrate how design can honor cultural and historical roots while exploring new dimensions of functionality and aesthetics, creating timeless pieces for modern living.
![Image [Urban Planning] Q&A: Designing Resilient and Walkable Futures](/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/Middletown-Riverfront-master-plan_21006_00_N7_digital-320x213.jpg)
