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Lotte Douwes celebrates the plug socket with porcelain charging device
Dutch designer Lotte Douwes has created a charging solution for Danish brand Menu, which swaps discreet wall sockets for power stations that hang from the ceiling.
With her Lamp&Socket device, Douwes aimed to create a flexible product for charging laptops or smartphones in a home, social or office environment where it can sometimes be difficult to find a power socket.
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She also wanted the solution to have a strong presence, unlike a traditional wall socket that is often designed to be discreet and hidden.
"The wall socket is often a hidden element of the home as it is widely deemed as unattractive," she said.
"Lamp&Socket turns this notion on its head, transforming something seemingly displeasing to look at into something beautiful," she continued.
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Using porcelain, Douwes created a system that combines a matching lamp and socket designed to hang above tables or working spaces.
Both pieces are typical of Menu's minimal aesthetic and feature narrow, tubular bodies in a light grey colour with matching wires.
"Lamp&Socket encourages a more flexible way of life for a variety of settings such as private and public spaces, allowing its users – without major interventions – greater freedom of how a room will be used, enhancing the experience for all," said Douwes.
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As smart devices become more and more ubiquitous in our lives, designers are increasingly coming up with alternative charging solutions.
Other projects include a wireless charging island by South Korean startup Mobileisland and a range of homeware that incorporates wireless charging by Seoul studio Pesi.
IKEA has also launched a range of furniture and homeware that features integrated induction charging.
Lamp&Socket was presented at this year's Stockholm Furniture Fair earlier this month, as part of the city's annual design week. Other launches at the fair included a chair made from bio-resin and a collection of 1970s-inspired furniture by Fogia.