Alain Gilles created the Assemblage tables for the Italian brand Bonaldo, introducing a series of shapely side tables with stacking components that can be arranged to suit different functions.
Designer Gilles likens the assembly of the tables to a "child's game," as the pieces can be stacked atop one another and fastened into place.
The main materials involved in the making of the tables include wood and cork, both of which boast very different properties and textures. Although wood is often found at the base of furnishings, due to its heavy nature, the Assemblage tables celebrate a unique reversal of this idea, placing the heaviest element at the top. In the process, Gilles also gives a new life to cork, which he says is seen as a "lightweight material that floats, rather than a material which lends stability."
Totemic Side Tables
Alain Gilles' 'Assemblage' Tables for Bonaldo Can Be Easily Reconfigured
Trend Themes
1. Reconfigurable Furniture - The Assemblage tables showcase the trend of reconfigurable furniture, offering opportunities for customizable and adaptable designs.
2. Sustainable Materials - The use of cork and wood highlights the trend of sustainable materials in furniture design, presenting opportunities for eco-friendly innovations.
3. Playful Design - The child's game-like assembly of the tables reflects the trend of playful design, opening up possibilities for interactive and engaging furniture creations.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture Design - The Assemblage tables cater to the furniture design industry by providing inspiration for versatile and sustainable products.
2. Interior Design - The reconfigurable nature of the tables presents opportunities for interior designers to create adaptable and customizable spaces.
3. Materials Manufacturing - The use of cork and wood in the tables encourages innovation in materials manufacturing, particularly in sustainable and lightweight materials.