murano glass is blown into sculptural coffee tables designed by yiannis ghikas

italian manufacturer miniforms has teamed up with designer yiannis ghikas to create the ‘soda’ coffee table collection. made entirely from blown murano glass, the tables are available in two sizes and two colors: bold amber and elegant petrol green. 

images by alessandro di bon

named after one of the three main elements of glass, the soda tables utilize the material’s transparency and the geometry of yiannis ghikas‘ design to create a play of light and shadow. different shapes are formed as the viewer’s perspective changes. if you look at the table from a certain edge, you see darker parts due to the way the layers of glass overlap one another.

soda is available in two sizes and two colors: amber or petrol green

soda was born upside-down and with a puff of air. each piece weighs around 20 kilos and is blown, drawn-out and shaped by three master glassmakers. the result is a single volume of glass with three large petals forming the stem. when crafting the tables, the highly skilled artisans of murano also have to carefully adjust a complex system of burners to keep the same temperature throughout the mold, which is essential to create the final ‘hammered’ surface texture.

amber-colored glass tables

as well as highlighting the craftsmanship of these italian artisans, the style of this collection also reflects the miniforms brand: it’s iconic, simple, colorful, and even ‘funky’. ‘we have a light-hearted approach to design and soda reflects this attitude. also, we love to mix traditional elements of the past, like working with murano glass, and insert them in a contemporary environment. an aphorism that we remind ourself sometimes is ‘it’s ok to look at the past, just don’t stare.” – miniforms

petrol green-colored glass tables

the hammered surface of the glass creates a tactile and primitive aesthetic

the craftsmen have to carefully adjust a complex system of burners to produce the smooth yet choppy texture of the glass

lifting 20 kilos of glass is not easy

to make each table, three people have to work simultaneously to add the finishing touches

the result is a single volume of glass with three large petals forming the stem

project info:

project name: soda

design: yiannis ghikas

producer: miniforms

photography: alessandro di bon

styling: laura pozzi

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.