benjamin hubert: materiality at DMY berlin 2011

benjamin hubert at his solo show ‘materiality’ image © designboom

‘materiality’ is the inaugural solo show of benjamin hubert‘s industrial design work which designboom visited just before the actual opening during DMY berlin 2011. the exhibition allows visitors into the working mind of the british designer and his material driven design approach. spread across 250sqm, hubert showcases finished products, production images, material samples, prototypes and drawings of his studio’s first 3 years of work.

the exhibition runs until august 30th, 2011 at johanssen gallery, direktorenhaus, berlin – first floor.

material samples image © designboom

hubert’s work is strongly embedded in establishing the types of materials and process that are most compelling for a given brief or strategic vision. ideation begins with generating as many ideas as possible, without any restrictions, realized through sketches, models or prototypes. the importance of this early step in his design process is translated into the set-up of the exhibition.

‘maritime’ chair in front of the wall with material samples image © designboom

most of hubert’s work exhibits a tactile response to raw materials and the experience of a close working relationship between product, process and craftsman. often, the team starts a project by sourcing a new material, or works closely with a defined technology or factory process, before designing the actual physical object. this is done in order to get a good understanding of the subtleties and opportunities a certain material can offer. this can be observed through the range of projects hubert has worked on. each one draws on particular construction techniques, presenting an investigative approach to how natural and industrial materials can be used in product applications.

‘maritime’ chair for casamania in grey and black lacquer image © designboom

read more about the traditional wooden shipbuilding techniques used in developing the ‘maritime’ chair here.

material samples and prototypes image © designboom

benjamin hubert preparing for the installation of his exhibition image © designboom

technical drawings of benjamin hubert’s work image courtesy benjamin hubert

installation view image © designboom

‘chimney’ and ‘heavy’ pendant lights image © designboom

see designboom’s article on the production of benjamin hubert’s chimney lamps here.

image © designboom

‘treis’ lighting for kundaliniimage © designboom

see designboom’s article on benjamin hubert: treis lights for kundalini here.

‘labware’ mouth blown glass lamps with cork stopper image © designboom

‘labware’ glass pendant lamps image © designboom

‘labware’ glass floor lamps image © designboom

‘roofer’ light for fabbian – last preparations for the show image © designboom (left)

take a look at the design process and construction of hubert’s ‘roofer’ light here.

‘pod’ chair for de vorm and ‘float’ cork lamps, before the opening of the exhibition image © designboom

see more about the process and production of the ‘pod’ chair here. ‘pod’ was also on display during milan design week 2011 as part of the de vorm exhibition at ventura lambrate.

‘pod’ chair and ‘float’ cork lamps images courtesy benjamin hubert