Penny is a utilitarian portrayal of the prestigious Ngombe stool (Republic of Congo). In contrast to the traditionally carved solid wood reclining seat and tacked metal pattern of the handcrafted stool, Penny celebrates the inherent beauty evidenced in machine-made materials.

By employing the form of the repurposed bent plywood, standardized pipe fixtures, and copper air chambers, the design restates the Ngombe sculptural form in a contemporary manner. 

For decades, plastic has been the "skin" of our consumables, delivering what we know as modern convenience at the expense of our environment. The amount of plastic packaging equates to or results in more than the exact number of meals we consume in a day. This reality is blatant yet often overlooked compared to other large-scale sustainable initiatives. 

The "Bread/Butter" lamp exemplifies the ubiquitous use of plastic packaging, specifically the LDPE bread bags. Illuminated by the light, the laminated graphics create intricate visual effects that reflect the conflicted relationship between plastic and the modern consumer. The relationship is then further amplified through the contrast of traditional paper's lantern form and the artificial vivid color of the bread bags.

With Lina Bo Bardi’s SESC Pompéia stool as precedent, the small living stool re-contextualizes the original utilitarian and economized stool for modern living space.

Through minimal structural iteration, the stool now offers multi-functions of seating, step stool, and storage, dictated by its orientation. The incremental dimensional adjustments were made to provide proper ergonomics while maintaining her design characteristics. Using only one plank of wood and a standardized fixture, the redesign stays true to Bo Bardi’s vernacular, utilitarian, and user-centric approach.

Inspired by the ephemeral nature of celebratory gatherings in relation to the use of disposable serveware, the designs aim to
provoke the user’s perception of object functionality and its life cycle. The plastic martini and wine glasses that once served
drinks to guests are now serving a second life as a seating object.

Designed to resemble a champagne tower, the loose structure is only secure with the fitted cork pad. The heightened anticipation and anxiousness induced by the unstable structure forces the user to consciously consider how and what they are consuming, in this case, the act of sitting.

Inspired by Enzo Mari’s Autoprogettazione project the adult-friendly rocking horse aim to encapsulate the constructivist design language.

With emphasis on the side profile of the horse, the neck and tail angles, and the construction sequences reflects Enzo’s original design.