andrea ponti captures hong kong's identity in kanban side table

andrea ponti captures hong kong’s identity in kanban side table
(above) the horizontal top seems to be floating above the vertical cylinder
all images courtesy of andrea ponti

designed and produced in hong kong by italian designer andrea ponti, ‘kanban’ is a side table that pushes the boundaries of form and aesthetic, past and present. the project’s aim was to capture hong kong in a product: to convey the spirit of this cosmopolitan metropolis at the crossroads between east and west. the concept of the table was reinvented starting from the essential components of base and top and an innovative use of materials, shape, color and layout.

the use of steel and concrete recalls Hong Kong’s traditional industrial buildings

the use of steel and concrete mirrors the style of hong kong’s historic industrial buildings — former multi-story factories converted into offices and warehouses. the shape references the large neon signs that light up the busy streets of kowloon: the signs jut out into the streets while hanging from a single slender steel bar. the contrasting colors of neutral concrete and charcoal steel give the table a minimalist pictorial quality: they create a chiaroscuro – an effect of contrasting light and shade. the original layout of the flat horizontal top floating above the vertical cylinder base creates an unexpected shift in volumes and an exquisite contrast between density and airiness.

chiaroscuro, the circular top tray creates an exquisite contrast

the structure reminds the neon signs that light up the busy streets of hong kong 

close-up, rigorous total black, and matte finish

neutral concrete and charcoal steel to compliment any environment

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: juliana neira | designboom