Handmade tradition meets digital freedom
Presented by Panter & Tourron at the Milan Design Week 2019, “Tense”, is a furniture research project that explores the evolution of living in a time of global mobility and fluid identities.
Celebrating the multi-locality of today and tomorrow, Tense consists of five neo-nomadic essentials characterised by sculptural forms and innovative materials. They are easily transportable, tool-free and entirely connected by the force of tension allowing one to recreate and rebuild a home anywhere in a few simple steps. The concept of tension runs throughout this furniture series; not only as a metaphor for positive change but also as a real connective system within the different pieces. This initiative brings us back to some of humanity’s first construction systems such as stretching animal skins on wooden or bone frames to create temporary shelters.
Analysing the evolution of values that drive us to embrace a less sedentary way of living, tension in this project becomes the linking factor. It allows for the creation of furniture made to last yet easy to transport, reconnecting to the nomadic essence of the technique. Looking back at the original definition of transportable goods, all the elements in the collection have been designed to be lightweight, flat-pack and assembled and disassembled with no additional tools.
This collection is shaped after the need of our generation to relocate frequently as well as offers a solution to the inaccessibility of valuable furniture. Tense is easy to transport but also easy to source and produce. Their sustainable approach avoids heavy machinery or molding. Flexible fabrication techniques are preferred since they can be sourced locally and scaled globally by connecting digital artisans and small-scale manufacturers.
