HIGHLIGHTS FROM Superstudio Più MILANO 2017
Shadows in the Windows
Shadows in the Windows is a project that portrays Hong Kong’s urban landscape through two symbolic elements: a
window and a seat, in eight variations. The window is the architectural element that best represents the concept of urban density. In large apartment blocks and high rises, windows appear standardized and impersonal. They repeat in grids of identical rows and identical columns. At first sight. Yet a second glance will reveal the story behind each window: the story of the person or people that live behind that window, occasionally projecting their contours and their shadows over it. What emerges from that is a unique urban scenery made of frames and silhouettes, lights and shades, textures and colors. The seat by the window is the other symbolic element that contributes to the representation of Hong Kong’s urban landscape. The seat projects its contour and its shadows over the window, and it represents what is behind the window. Eight seats, eight shadows in eight windows. The eight seats share the same design concept: a square window frame, the contour of a chair, clean lines, steel and ABS. Yet each seat is different and embodies a unique version of the design concept. The Shadows in the Windows project is a metaphor of the architecture of urban density. It represents the relationship among the individual, the product, and the urban landscape.
Shadows in the Windows were introduced during Milan Design Week, April 4-9, 2017. Superdesign Show 2017, Selected Objects pavilion, Superstudio Più, Milano.
About Andrea Ponti
Andrea Ponti is an Italian designer specializing in product design. Since 2013 he has lived in Hong Kong, where he founded Ponti Design Studio Limited. After graduating in product design from the Politecnico of Milan, Italy in 2006, Ponti lived seven years in Japan. As a researcher with Kyushu University, he was on various internship programs with leading Japanese companies including Honda, Toyota, and Mitsubishi Electric. Fascinated by rational and minimalist design, he had the opportunity to study with prominent Japanese design masters Toshiyuki Kita, Chiaki Murata and Junzo Yamashita. Ponti has organized numerous exhibits and events for the Salone del Mobile in Milan, Italy on the theme of product design between Italy and Japan. He has received many international prizes and awards, including first prize at LG Mobile Design Awards in 2012, two Red Dot Design Awards in 2015 and 2 Good Design Awards in 2016. Currently, Ponti collaborates with various global companies such as Panasonic, Samsonite and Philips, as well as local companies in Asia, Europe and North America. His projects are featured in leading international design media.
About Ponti Design Studio Ponti Design Studio is a Hong Kong-based product design company specializing in highly distinctive, brand-building and iconic design. Founded in 2012 by Italian designer Andrea Ponti, the Studio focuses on high end products combining technological excellence with emotional design language. The product range includes technology, consumer electronics, audio equipment, furniture and lifestyle complements. The Studio also provides branding and art direction services to client companies in Europe, Asia and North America.
