These modular sofa tables have something to do with memories, vivid memories of odd shapes spotted in unusual places…. Or, how existing, recycled shapes, can give birth to a concept, a movement and new functionalities. It is the persisting image of an awkward collection of frameless mirrors of various sizes and obviously belonging to different eras that caught my eyes on a flea market and eventually gave birth to this collage of tables. Just like a “collage” art piece, these fragments of mental images have been extracted out of their original context and functionalities, and reassembled in order to generate a new entity with new function.

In some versions, the concept of the collage is further emphasized by the used of different colors/material per “module”.

All but one table are linked and in a way constrained in their movement. The center point is the circular top table that serves as the link and articulation to 3 other tables that can partially gravitate around it in order to be positioned according to the needs and desire of the users. This circular table can also swivel around so everyone can for instance conveniently help himself to a piece of pie or a cup of thee…  There is also an extra loose table that can be positioned anywhere and in a way completely redefine the architectures of this aggregated sofa table from a elongated shape to a square-like shape depending on the length of the sofa and its relationship with other seats in the room.

Overall these sofa tables are clearly defined by their connection, and interconnection, and by a certain visual fragility or lightness.

 

COLLAGE  – SOFA TABLES

Design

Alain Gilles for Bonaldo

Materials

made out of lacquered metal  ( and brass in one case ).

General Dimensions

142 x 72 x 36cm  ( W x D x H )

56 x 28.4 x 14.2 inches  ( W x D x H )

Collage Tables were presented at Salone Internazionale Del Mobile 2011 – Milano.

 

 

Alain Gilles

info

Design as a second life. After studying Political Sciences and Marketing Management, Alain Gilles went on to work in the financial work. But one has to live his own life. So, thanks to the moral support of his wife, he went back to studying Industrial  Design at the ISD in France. He assisted Xalier Lust in his creations, but was eventually hired by Quinze&Milan before graduating. He worked for Arne Quinze for two and a half years as designer, developer and project manager on several high profile projects for world-renowned architects and editors. He opened his own studio in 2007  in order to pursue his own dreams and develop his personal approach to product and furniture design, art direction and interior architecture. He has since started to collaborate with several international editors.