matali crasset: concrete collection at interieur kortrijk

matali crasset: concrete collection at interieur kortrijk ‘concrete collection’ table by matali crasset for concrete by LCDA dimensions: 250 x 100 x 75 cm weight: 120 kgs all images © simon bouisson

wanting tame concrete as a means finding a way in which it could be better incorporated into our daily lives, matali crasset explored the strengths, characteristics and possibilities of the industrial material which has resulted in the creation of a series of furniture and lighting objects. the sculptural works which include a table, bookshelf and lamp, have been developed for french company concrete by LCDA and exercise a high-level of craftsmanship with a sensitive approach which is characteristic of the french designer’s work. wood grain detail the concrete picks up from the mould

the archetypal table has been interpreted by crasset as a solid concrete form which picks-up traces of the grain of the wooden mould from which it is cast. accommodating up to ten persons, the top is made from a honeycomb rigid core coated with 10mm of high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete thanks to an exclusive moulding system – lightweight concrete – which offers a weight which is four times less than a traditional structure.

connection detail

a concrete table hanging out in the workshop

concrete lamp dimensions: 53 x 50 x 31.5 cm weight: 18kg

the lamp which crasset has conceived for the collection formally refers to the listening ears found in folkestone, england – the function of the original monolithic objects was reinforced concrete was to listen to the sky. the disc-like lamp is made from ultra high-performance raw concrete. a PCB (printed circuitboard) is made of 36 0.5W LEDS powered by 24V of direct currents. a white light spectrum moulded acrylic sheet offers diffusion strength and eco-efficient solution weighing 18 kg.

the form of the lamp is drawn from listening ears found in folkestone, england

profile

the lamp with view of the mould from which it is cast

mould detail

concrete bookshelf dimensions: 190 x 95 x 35 cm weight: each element 70kg

the bookshelf is comprised of common single-piece shapes which together offer an abstract visual of a vertebrae. the overall design, despite the weightiness of the material from which it is made, seems light, retaining a particular momentum and dynamism. cast from ductal, a smooth ultra-high-performance concrete, color may be obtained by incorporating natural pigments into the concrete.

alternative views of the backbone shaped shelving unit

designer matali crasset with the production team at concrete by LCDA

— INTERIEUR 2012 biennale in the city, city in the biennale 20 – 28 october kortrijk, belgium

the biennale INTERIEUR is now in its 23rd edition and is internationally recognized as an not-to-be-missed overview of trends, tastes and cultural movements. INTERIEUR 2012 will be bigger and better than ever with an extensive programme and an exciting mix of culture and commerce. it will bring a curated selection of 300 international design brands to 90.000 expected visitors over a period of nine days, additional exhibitions are scheduled to be shown in the city-centre, and pop-up bars plus a restaurant will be installed beyond the halls of the fairgrounds.