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My selection is composed of everyday objects that have been invested with the highest quality of design to create daily satisfaction. These objects remind me subliminally of the importance of simplicity, clarity, functionality and joyfulness in the design of any object, whatever its size or purpose. Design does not need to be exclusive – we can all enjoy it every day. Nanogel Originally invented in the 1930s and subsequently used by NASA on spacecraft, nanogel, when sandwiched between layers of glass, delivers remarkable thermal insulation but with high levels of light transmission. We used it at the Halley VI Antarctic Research Station (above) to create a magical, luminous heart to the base. Classicolor pencils
After all the brief-taking and consultation, I start the design process armed with a notebook, a black felt pen and a tin of 40 pencils. The wide selection of colours, and the easy crafting that they allow, provide a crucial and reassuring armature, which makes this the most enjoyable stage of every project. Mondaine watch
The Mondaine clock was designed by Hans Hilfiker for the Swiss Federal Railway in 1944 and has been in use ever since. It has also been turned into a range of watches, of which I have one. The simplicity of its face is offset by the pop-art red of the second hand, which gives it a touch of idiosyncrasy. La Cupola coffee maker
Designed by the great Italian architect Aldo Rossi in 1988, this is the first piece of design that I encounter in the morning. It’s crafted in aluminium, which conducts heat perfectly, and creates just enough coffee for two in a matter of minutes. Swiss army knife Mine has a semi-transparent cover through which you get an impression of the precision engineering within. I enjoy the design as much for its visual clarity as for its comforting feel and for the suggestion of nights spent camping out under the stars in remote locations. |
Words Hugh Broughton |
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