100% design South Africa: our top 10 show unmissables
The fourth annual 100% Design South Africa is currently underway in Joburg and we’ve scoped out ten of its not-to-be-missed features
Handre de la Rey of Studio 20 Eight’s CS Project sunglasses challenge expectation with their stylish cement frames, inspired by the work of architect Tadao Ando. The challenge of designing in cement was taken on for PPC’s Imaginarium, and ultimately won Handre the finalist award for the Industrial Design category.
Tracking the environmental impact of a chair from seed to completion, AHEC’S Seed to Seat project challenges seven leading local designers to make a chair using a sustainable hardwood. Of particular interest is Laurie Wiid van Heerden’s Senufo inspired Meraki Daybed, which teams cork and American soft maple, as well as James Mudge’s Hardwood Chair with its honest jointing and minimalist lines.
Young design graduate Nkuli Mlangeni of The Ninevites and her range of karakul and mohair rugs is causing quite a stir. The bold Ndebele inspired motifs and punchy palettes present in the bespoke rug collection are the result of her exploration of the heritage of weaving both here and abroad. While looking back, Nkuli’s rugs have a firm foot in the here and now. It’s no surprise that her Sankara rug won this year’s Most Beautiful Object in South Africa at Design Indaba.
For its unexpected use of Caesarstone, Weylandts Spaces’ Anna and Chris created the clean and contemporary Luna Drinks Cabinet as part of the all new Caesarstone Concepts bespoke furniture collection. Using Caesarstone’s Rugged Concrete quartz for the cabinet doors together with brass and steel, the results are unexpected, daring and sexy.