etienne bastormagi debuts industrial vases at doha design 2024

behaviorology facilitates various plant growth patterns

Juxtaposing the industrial aesthetics of metal with the organic growth patterns of plants, Studio Etienne Bastormagi unveils a limited edition capsule of eleven vases at the inaugural edition of Design Doha Biennial. The behaviorology series extends the Beirut-based studio’s prior spatial explorations of the intrinsic relationships between humans, objects, and the urban condition, manifesting as a series of minimalist vessels cast in aluminum and brass and finished with powder coating.

‘behaviorology is a collection of small scale architectures. Its playful aspect elaborates on the obsession to display plants and flowers in specific ways. In other words, it creates an architecture to inhabit them,’ Bastormagi shares with designboom. Available in different sizes and hues with interchangeable bases and crowns, the sculptural works encourage play for the user while enabling plants to behave in their natural, versatile ways and create variations in space.

all images by Cliff Makhoul

etienne bastormagi casts ‘small scale architectures’ in metal

Showcased at the Cultural Kinship Exhibition Pop-Up at M7, behaviorology is characterized by Studio Etienne Bastormagi’s playful approach and pursuit of structural minimalism, exploring new ways to interact with our context while maintaining a sense of whimsy. The pieces, including the V1-funnel, V2-cosmos, and V3-diagonal, offer different container shapes and sizes to accommodate various floral arrangements and encourage interactivity as users experiment with composition and form. Sleek and funnelled, V1 stands with a volumetric presence, while V2 integrates a circular shape that lends a sculptural finish, allowing the backdrop to spotlight the moment of the contained item. V3 meanwhile features a diagonal crown that can accommodate an inclined bouquet of flowers or create an asymmetric compositional occurrence within space.

The architect’s multidisciplinary approach, bridging architecture, interior design, and product design, results in reconfigurable pieces that intertwine art and functionality. The series is launched as a collection of capsules in different variations and geometries in different cities, fostering a sense of participatory cultural exchange. The first capsule comprising seven limited edition pieces was launched in Beirut’s Sursock Museum Store, while the second unveiling at Design Doha engages with the biennial’s themes of spotlighting innovative implementations of design and craftsmanship in the MENA region, and vibrant and inclusive futures.

Studio Etienne Bastormagi unveils behaviorology at Design Doha Biennial