‘roots’ project, developed by teal aviv-based designer amalia shem tov, is focused on the emotional relationship and interaction between man and machine. the principal aim is to give back a place to human presence and personal touch in the intimate process of preparing and cooking food in the contemporary domestic kitchen, with the help of high technology processing and the combination of raw materials. the designer proposes three devices, which are to make us closer to our roots.

human presence is back to the kitchen with wood and stone utensils series by amalia shem tov designboom
the series

 

 

‘examining cooking utensils history from an ancient period until today, in order to find the main utensils and products that symbolize the basic, essential and primary moment of preparing food, lead to three basic utensils which are characteristic in their relation to basic movement, material, and process,’ explains shem tov.

human presence is back to the kitchen with wood and stone utensils series by amalia shem tov designboom
the millstone

 

 

the purpose was to examine how these basics can be combined in a contemporary kitchen, by a cultural affiliation between past and present, in harmony with time and space. using stone asthe main material, the designer has defined three basic principles that will characterize the use and the design of this utensils — millstone for grinding wheat and all grain and bean species; mortar and pestle for milling and grinding spices and processing herbs; hot stones for cooking, baking, and warming food.

human presence is back to the kitchen with wood and stone utensils series by amalia shem tov designboom
the mortar and pestle

 

human presence is back to the kitchen with wood and stone utensils series by amalia shem tov designboom
hot stones for backing

 

human presence is back to the kitchen with wood and stone utensils series by amalia shem tov designboom
the millstone preserves the tension between natural and processed material

 

human presence is back to the kitchen with wood and stone utensils series by amalia shem tov designboom
hot stones for baking are the most radical technology involvement

 

human presence is back to the kitchen with wood and stone utensils series by amalia shem tov designboom

 

human presence is back to the kitchen with wood and stone utensils series by amalia shem tov designboom

 

human presence is back to the kitchen with wood and stone utensils series by amalia shem tov designboom

 

human presence is back to the kitchen with wood and stone utensils series by amalia shem tov designboom
the materials

 

human presence is back to the kitchen with wood and stone utensils series by amalia shem tov designboom
the prototypes

 

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.

 

edited by: maria erman | designboom