Milan 2015: visitors to a Neoclassical palazzo in Milan were invited to play on swings created by London designer Philippe Malouin using quartz surface material Caesarstone (+ slideshow).
The grand hall of Palazzo Serbelloni served as the backdrop for the Caesarstone Movements interactive installation during Milan design week.
Malouin developed the swing set as a way of presenting the different colour varieties of Caesarstone – a synthetic stone more commonly used for kitchen worktops.
"For me the starting point was the exploration of the material," said Malouin. "We therefore focused on spending time in the workshop, except, this was not an ordinary workshop, but a fully equipped quartz surface transformation facility."
The idea was originally shown as a circular set of 12 swings at the Interior Design Show in Toronto earlier this year.
For Milan, Malouin created a line of eight swings hung in a line from ropes attached to a thin steel frame.
Supported by angled posts, the structure spanned the length of Palazzo Serbelloni's gilded hall.
Each rectangular seat was formed from a different variation of Caesarstone that was repeated as a strip of flooring below the paths of the swings.
The Canada-born designer also created a collection of 20 geometric planters, which were shown in an adjacent room.
These were presented on a large plinth and filled with tropical plants, creating a contrast with the ornately decorated space.
"Caesarstone is an extremely versatile material that is easy to predict and work with, and it offers a variety of colours and finishes," said the designer. "I therefore experimented with a series of techniques and applications ranging from the mundane to the more experimental."
The installation took place from 14 to 19 April at Palazzo Serbelloni, Corso Venezia 16.
Photography is by Tom Mannion.