Archipanic (2025)

18/07/2025

Each summer, design thrives on the Côte d’Azur as the Design Parade returns to Hyères and Toulon [the main exhibitions are open until Sept 7 and Nov 1, respectively], turning the spotlight on emerging talent and innovative design. In this year’s edition, the festival once again makes full use of the architectural gem that is Villa Noailles and the vibrant city of Toulon [69 Cours Lafayette, Map]. Here’s some of the exhibitions we liked the most.

At Villa Noailles, Le Miroir exhibition reflects on 25 years of creative exploration by Spanish designer Jaime Hayon. More than a retrospective, it’s a journey into Hayon’s mind: the first room recreates his studio—chaotic, colourful, alive—while the second space showcases key pieces from across his career. For Hayon, the boundaries between art, craft, and design have always been porous. “It’s not about objects,” he explains, “but about evolution—ideas, hands, purpose.”

In Toulon, Russian designer Harry Nuriev, founder of NYC-based Crosby Studios, presents The Transformist Apartment, a dystopian, immersive setting. Rooted in his philosophy of Transformism, Nuriev’s work invites us to question the shifting nature of objects and their meanings. With shape-shifting furniture and fluid materials, the installation blurs the line between function and feeling.

A more playful tone defines Petits Mondes, an exhibition dedicated to children’s design. From toys to multifunctional furniture, it draws inspiration from historical pieces and iconic creators—such as Enzo Mari, Bruno Munari, and Katsumi Komagata—celebrating design as a language of wonder and play.

Anaïs Fernon’s work in the Matière sensible exhibit highlights cork, a humble material with high ecological value, creating objects that link environmental awareness with aesthetic sensitivity.

Monoprix teams up with Jean-Baptiste Fastrez, a former Design Parade winner, to present Chroma: a line of vibrant, collectible everyday metal objects—on sale from September 14.

Photos are by Luc Bertrand.

03/07/2025

The SHRINX Lounge Chair by Danish brand +Halle is more than just a place to sit—it’s a bold reimagining of what a lounge chair can be. Copenhagen-based Boris Berlin teamed up with German textile innovators Krall+Roth to design a spacious, soft, yet remarkably lightweight club chair that challenges traditional upholstery conventions by eliminating foam altogether.

SHRINX isn’t just a chair—it’s a sustainable statement. Indeed, polyurethane foam, which is usually used for upholstery, “is made from fossil fuels, but it can only ever be downcycled or burned, releasing toxic chemicals in the process,” explains +Halle. “I have designed upholstered furniture with foam for decades, loving its sculptural qualities, but I have to admit my sins; I have used enormous quantities of Polyurethane foam, being well aware of the need for an alternative. SHRINX feels like a chair long in the making,” designer Boris Berlin argues.

At the heart of SHRINX’s innovation is its unique upholstery technique. Rather than stretching fabric over a form, the pre-sewn textile cover is gently draped over a steel frame and then heat-shrunk into place. This creates a striking tension between the soft, responsive textile and the rigid metal beneath. “It took many prototypes to find the perfect balance between the shrinking force of the fabric and the resistance of the frame,” says Berlin. “But the result is fascinating.”

Designed for today’s need to be alone yet amongst people, SHRINX takes its cue from the classic club chair, offering generous personal space without bulk. “The seat refers to the same archetype as Shiro Kuramata’s transparent, easy chair, made from steel mesh, for the Memphis group in 1987. He poetically called it How High the Moon, and in his chair, you feel like you are sitting in your kingdom, even amongst a crowd.”

In contrast to the heavy, foam-laden club chairs of the past, SHRINX is light, mobile, and ideal for flexible public spaces. It’s a deliberate counterpoint: a modern silhouette, a classic typology, and a material breakthrough, marking a new chapter in sustainable seating.

17/06/2025

Seven group exhibitions at 3 Days of Design in Copenaghen. Find out more on Archipanic.com.

Bread and Butter brings together dining objects by 12 designers from Korea, Denmark, and the Netherlands—each piece thoughtfully complementing, contrasting, or completing another like bread and butter. Courtesy of Bread and Butter.

2-4. Material Matters debuts in Copenhagen. The fair dives into the future of sustainable design and materials. Highlights include an installation by Kia Utzon-Frank for AHEC Europe [photo 1] and Hydro [Photo 2]. Ukraine in Denmark presents pieces created during the war [Photo 3, Furn Objects].

5. FRAMING transforms the stunning Odd Fellow Palace into a showcase of innovation and creativity with over 40 Danish and international design brands including Pulkra, Secto Design, Luceplan, Ethimo, and Lasvit.

6. Selected Projects by the Danish Art Workshop transforms Denmark’s largest production residency into a vibrant exhibition space. The show features unique works by Maria Bruun, Anne Damgaard, Manuel Canu, Sara Martinsen, and more, each exploring diverse materials, techniques, and creative expressions. Photo: Sara Martinsen in process – Photo by Kristian Holm.

7. MycoWorks invited five talented Danish design studios—OEO Studio, Frederik Gustav, Cecilie Manz, Maria Bruun, and Atelier Axo—to explore the creative potential of Reishi, its innovative mycelium-based biomaterial. Pictured: Fredrik Gustav’s Arbor supsension light – Photo by Armin Tehrani for MycoWorks.

8. Step inside The Icelandic Warehouse, a captivating exhibition that brings together some of Iceland’s most exciting furniture and interior design brands such as FÓLK Reykjavík, EPAL, FISCHERSUND and FLOTHETTA. Photo: Courtesy of 3 Days of Design 2025.

9. The Proof of Concept showcase offers an intimate, process-led look at contemporary design. Small-scale furniture, lighting, textiles, and more are paired with their prototypes, sketches, and raw experiments. Pictured: Ernst / Bartholin Jensen reworked a version of a stackable lounge chair by Cozmo.

.show .events .design .world

17/06/2025

Seven group exhibition at 3 Days of Design, Copenaghen Design Week. Find out more on Archipanic.com.

1-3. Material Matters debuts in Copenhagen. The fair dives into the future of sustainable design and materials. Highlights include an installation by Kia Utzon-Frank for AHEC Europe [photo 1] and Hydro [Photo 2]. Ukraine in Denmark presents pieces created during the war [Photo 3, Furn Objects].

4. Bread and Butter brings together dining objects by 12 designers from Korea, Denmark, and the Netherlands—each piece thoughtfully complementing, contrasting, or completing another like bread and butter. Courtesy of Bread and Butter.

5. FRAMING transforms the stunning Odd Fellow Palace into a showcase of innovation and creativity with over 40 Danish and international design brands including Pulkra, Secto Design, Luceplan, Ethimo, and Lasvit.

6. Selected Projects by the Danish Art Workshop transforms Denmark’s largest production residency into a vibrant exhibition space. The show features unique works by Maria Bruun, Anne Damgaard, Manuel Canu, Sara Martinsen, and more, each exploring diverse materials, techniques, and creative expressions. Photo: Sara Martinsen in process – Photo by Kristian Holm.

7. MycoWorks has invited five talented Danish design studios—OEO Studio, Frederik Gustav, Cecilie Manz, Maria Bruun, and Atelier Axo—to explore the creative potential of Reishi, its innovative mycelium-based biomaterial. Pictured: Fredrik Gustav’s Arbor supsension light – Photo by Armin Tehrani for MycoWorks.

8. Step inside The Icelandic Warehouse, a captivating exhibition that brings together some of Iceland’s most exciting furniture and interior design brands such as FÓLK Reykjavík, EPAL, FISCHERSUND and FLOTHETTA. Photo: Courtesy of 3 Days of Design 2025.

9. The Proof of Concept showcase offers an intimate, process-led look at contemporary design. Small-scale furniture, lighting, textiles, and more are paired with their prototypes, sketches, and raw experiments. Pictured: Ernst / Bartholin Jensen reworked a version of a stackable lounge chair by Cozmo.

.show .events .design .world

17/06/2025

From June 18-20, 3 Days of Design 2025 is set to light up Copenhagen once again, bringing the city to life with inspiring exhibitions, thought-provoking installations, engaging talks, and creative events — all centred around this year’s theme: Keep It Real.

Check out our guide to Copenhagen Design Week on ARCHIPANIC.COM

“Our KEEP IT REAL theme for 2025 honours individual expression and experiences, echoing our deep desire for a world that’s more caring, inclusive, and conscious,” shares Signe Byrdal Terenziani, CEO & Managing Director of 3 Days of Design.

At a time when technology can effortlessly mimic creativity — crafting art, stories, and beauty in seconds — it’s more important than ever to recognise what sets us apart. Machines don’t feel. They don’t have empathy, memories, or life stories. “But you do,” Terenziani says. “That’s why we encourage everyone to KEEP IT REAL. As an act of resistance. A quiet rebellion that champions authenticity.”

Photo by Rasmus Hjortshoj - courtesy of the

12/06/2025

In the quiet heart of Castile, Spain, architecture and viticulture intertwine in an exquisite fluid design by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos for visionary winemaker Dominio D’Echauz. Nestled in the Ribera del Duero region at an elevation of 1,000 meters, this innovative winery honours the land’s history, biodiversity, and the legacy of winemaking through a design that both rises from and melts into its surrounding landscape.

Dominio D’Echauz isn’t just a winery—it’s a living archive of Spain’s viticultural heritage. Set in a region known for its demanding climate, the estate is home to Spain’s largest collection of ancestral grape varieties. In many ways, it acts like a modern-day Noah’s Ark for vines, preserving rare and endangered species that still cling to the edges of the natural world.

The design reflects this mission of preservation and discovery. Two gently curving walls define the structure, echoing the rhythm and pattern of the nearby vineyards. These curves aren’t just aesthetic; they give the building its organic presence while responding functionally to the terrain. The layout is linear, mirroring the step-by-step process of winemaking—from grape reception to fermentation, ageing, and bottling. Along the way, the space expands to accommodate tasting areas and research facilities, all of which are integrated with quiet elegance.

Sustainability is at the core of this project. The walls are crafted from hempcrete blocks—an eco-friendly mix of plant fibres, lime, and water—reinforced by a lightweight metal roof. The entire building is wrapped in Diathonite, a cork-based natural plaster that insulates while providing a clean, cohesive finish from wall to floor to ceiling.

11/06/2025

Until June 29, the 2025 London Design Biennale transforms Somerset House into a global playground for ideas. More than 30 pavilions and installations are dotted throughout the historic building, all riffing on Surface Reflections—the theme set by Artistic Director Samuel Ross, which asks how our inner worlds and outer surroundings continuously shape one another.

Oman – Memory Grid by Zawraq. Step into an immersive experience that reimagines traditional Omani pottery as vessels of memory and meaning.

The Recursion Project: Levh-i Mahfûz by Melek Zeynep Bulut invites you into a captivating world of reflection and form. In this installation, handcrafted cubes made from Turkish terracotta clay—each with two mirrored sides—are delicately suspended to shape a larger cube.

With Roots of Trust, Rachel Botsman brings a fresh perspective to the world’s oldest known organisational chart.

Japan. The exhibition is a poetic tribute to The Nelson Stair and the surface textures, translucency, lightness and inner strength of Washi paper. By SEKISUI HOUSE – KUMA LAB with a haunting score by violinist-composer Midori Komachi.

Chile – Minerasophia: Underground Cycles by Mále Uribe and Constanza Gaggero is an art and design research project exploring Chile’s deep connection to its mineral-rich land.

How do we grieve in the 21st century? Malta responds with a poetic ritual for cremated remains: a spherical multi person urn.

Nine imaginative projects by VCUarts Qatar students, faculty, and alumni explore the country’s fast-changing landscape.

Hong Kong Pavilion explores how urban spaces impact our emotions and behaviour, using a Neuroscientific lens.

China - Through AI-generated glazes, 3D printing, and traditional pottery, students come together to explore ancient techniques and imagine fresh, exciting futures for this timeless craft.

Abu Dhabi – Tides and Traditions. Step into a cool, ocean-scented space where the House of Artisans pays tribute to the UAE’s maritime heritage.

.collective .male .by.samuelross

09/06/2025

Design Dysphoria—the vibrant collective of q***r artists and designers—is back for its second edition, and this time they’ve teamed up with Gotham, the world’s first cannabis concept store, to transform its Chelsea gallery into a wonderland of fantasy and self-expression. Running through August 1st at 146 10th Ave [Map], Give Them Fantasy is more than just a group exhibition—it’s a love letter to the q***r imagination.

Drawing inspiration from iconic q***r cinema, video games, and the limitless world of art and design, 24 q***r artists playfully and provocatively explore the role of fantasy and play in shaping LGBTQIA+ creative spaces.

Curated by Liz Collins, Grace Whiteside of Sticky Glass, and Erica Sellers and Jeremy Silberberg of Studio S II, Design Dysphoria is rooted in the belief that q***r communities thrive when they create and inhabit spaces that reflect their truth.

As Liz Collins puts it, “We all felt a real need to center the conversation around q***r design. Sure there are many q***r designers, but how much do we really dialogue about that?”

Give Them Fantasy looks into what q***r design thinking is about. “At its core, it resists norms. It questions the assumptions baked into form, function, and audience.” Erica Sellers and Jeremy Silberberg of Studio S II told Archipanic. “Instead of designing for a presumed majority, q***r designs comes from lived experience, often shaped by fluidity, contradiction, and chosen family. It isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating space for multiplicity, for bodies and identities that have historically been excluded.”

The exhibition features a series of intimate vignettes showcasing work across media—from video and textiles to lighting, furniture, and interactive objects. Most of the artists and designers identify as women, non-binary, or trans, and their work invites viewers into a rich, playful exploration of identity, form, and connection.

Photo by

***rdesign
.s.ii

09/06/2025

This summer, London’s Kensington Gardens welcomes a poetic new addition: A Capsule in Time, the 2025 Serpentine Pavilion, designed by celebrated Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum. Known for her thoughtful, climate-conscious approach, Tabassum brings a structure that feels both timeless and of the moment—an ode to light, nature, and the rituals of gathering.

Tabassum, the founder of Dhaka-based Marina Tabassum Architects, drew inspiration from the joy of strolling through a summer park and the filtering canopy of trees above. The pavilion’s form—a collection of four wooden capsules clad in translucent polycarbonate panels—gently plays with sunlight, casting a dappled, almost dreamlike glow across its interior. It’s a structure that invites reflection and connection, grounded in both geometry and atmosphere.

Aligned with the bell tower of Serpentine South, the pavilion doesn’t just sit in the landscape—it allows the park to flow in. One of the capsules is designed to move, allowing the configuration to shift and open up new spatial experiences. This kinetic element is a nod to South Asia’s Shamiyana tents: temporary fabric structures supported by bamboo poles, often used for community celebrations.

Tabassum remembers these tents from her childhood—the way light streamed through their fabric, the sense of intimacy and openness they created. “We tried to capture that memory,” she says. “We opened it up so that air and light can come through, but also it’s very connected to the environment of the park.”

Central to the pavilion’s design is a semi-mature Ginkgo tree—known for its climate resilience—which is carefully incorporated into the structure.
Shelves built into the pavilion house a curated selection of books that celebrate Bengali culture.

“We hope people from all walks of life will come to this pavilion,” Tabassum reflects. “When people come together, they set aside their differences. They gather on a platform that is for all—and of the self.”

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