Far and Away

This project was made dor a design competition for a style rom by the Tong Tong Foundation. It took place in Spring 1999. "Far and Away" was described in the Jury report.

"the title of this design gives a good impression of the whole. The presentation is well cared for. Especially the choice of materials and their presentation is interesting. The designer clairly focussed on the Asian element of the design. The minimalism has been well incorporated. The system with elements which can be moved within the space is a good idea and adds to the minimalism in the space. The designer has limited herself well regarding use of shapes, colours and material, fitting with the theme. This has as well been applied to the elements she introduced. This creates a modest space."

Far and Away, view from above, side and frontMotivation
The mission was to design a space which would fit these sizes: 3 m (9.8 ft) x 4 m (13.1 ft) =12 m² (129 sq.ft.); 2.5m (8.2 ft) tall; a stage on a fair between others with 3 closed sides, open at the gangway. The selection was for a mixed living-sleeping room in the Minimalism" trend.

What do we need for that? A bed, for living we need a place to sit, a table to eat at with several people, some cupboards for example for books or a stereo equipment. To use everything well, I combined different aspects with each other. Together, the furniture forms a functional whole. The bed one sleeps on at night (1.40 m (4.5 ft) x 2.00 m (6.5 ft)) is your seating area by day and also 'living room chair'. This has all of a sitting-sleeping couch but the exterior view of the furniture remains the same. The table can be moved. The folding screen brings in something mysterious, Occidental, just like the 'low' level of the cupboard. It was a conscious choice not to apply complete symmetry . This way, one creates a space where one can move one selves or move items.

By means of the folding screen and the table, different arrangements are possible, depending on the wishes of the users. The folding screen offers the possibility to remove part of the space form sight, including the items or people behind it.

No accessories are included in the design to make it speak for itself. If the design would be executed, attention could be paid at that stage.

Colours and materials
We chose a single kind of wood for all items (wenge)(number 4): one basic material to emphasise frugality.
The colours of the other materials are focussed on each other:
1. 'natural' bed linen,
2. 'soft' - textile wallpaper - Favone and
3. 'friendly' - corklino as flooring,
Peaceful green offers a stress with the dark brown wenge.