Philia
Magazine

Marjan van Aubel Portrait

Marjan van Aubel

Marjan van Aubel is a Dutch designer whose pioneering practice explores the intersection of sustainability, technology, and design through the lens of solar energy. Based in Amsterdam, she has developed a distinctive approach that transforms sunlight into both a functional and aesthetic medium, integrating solar technology into everyday objects such as furniture, lighting, and architectural elements.

A graduate of the Royal College of Art and the Gerrit Rietveld Academy, van Aubel has collaborated with scientists and institutions to create works that challenge conventional perceptions of renewable energy, positioning it as a poetic and experiential force. Her projects, exhibited internationally and held in major museum collections, aim to redefine our relationship with energy by embedding it seamlessly into daily life, advocating for a future where sustainability and beauty are intrinsically connected.

“Like a ceramicist uses clay, I work with sunlight.”
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5 May 26
Hannes Peer scaled

Hannes Peer

Hannes Peer is an architect and designer from South Tyrol, Italy, and the founder of Hannes Peer Architecture, a Milan-based studio established in 2009. Educated at the Politecnico di Milano and the Technical University of Berlin, he refined his approach through collaborations with influential practices, including OMA in Rotterdam and Zvi Hecker in Berlin.

Guided by a philosophy of eclecticism, Peer’s work bridges architecture, interiors, and product design, combining historical references, craftsmanship, and contemporary innovation. His projects range from hospitality and residential spaces to international brand collaborations, all distinguished by a rich material language and a strong sensitivity to atmosphere. Drawing on his background as a trained carpenter, Peer approaches design through both conceptual rigor and hands-on experimentation, creating spaces that balance functionality, sensory experience, and timeless character.

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27 May 25
Kevin Frankental scaled

Kevin Frankental 5 Picks From Philia Collection

Kevin Frankental is a South African designer and the co-owner and Creative Director of Lemon. Working across furniture and collectible design, his practice is rooted in a profound appreciation for natural materials and the enduring relationship between craftsmanship and time. Guided by an intuitive understanding of stone, wood, and other earth-derived materials, he creates pieces that reveal their intrinsic character while balancing sculptural expression with functional clarity.

Through his work, Frankental explores the idea of timelessness—not as a stylistic pursuit, but as a lasting dialogue between material, form, and making. His designs embrace authenticity, restraint, and permanence, creating objects that transcend trends and celebrate the enduring beauty of nature and craftsmanship.

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23 May 25
objOBJ Business Development Press Release Paul Wang Portrait BW

Objective Object – Paul X. Wang

Objective Object is the multidisciplinary design practice of Paul X. Wang, a Chinese designer, architect, and creative director whose work spans collectible design, architecture, fashion, and visual culture. Born in Beijing and shaped by experiences across South Africa, the United States, Thailand, and China, Wang has developed a distinctive design language that merges bold sculptural forms with thoughtful narratives, creating objects that foster emotional connections and meaningful human experiences.

Guided by a belief that exceptional design transcends cultural and social boundaries, Objective Object explores the intersection of function, storytelling, and contemporary craftsmanship. Through a practice defined by clarity, curiosity, and an approachable sensibility, Wang creates works that balance expressive character with enduring relevance across diverse cultural contexts.

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20 May 25
Lisa Allegra scaled

Lisa Allegra 5 Picks From Philia Collection

Lisa Allegra is a French designer and artist based in Barcelona whose practice explores the intersection of sculpture, furniture, and everyday objects. A graduate of the École des Arts Décoratifs in France, she creates handcrafted collections of furniture and lighting that investigate balance, materiality, and the quiet presence of form. Working primarily with clay alongside textiles and wood, Allegra combines craftsmanship with a minimalist sensibility, creating timeless pieces that celebrate tactile materials, thoughtful making, and the poetry of everyday life.

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16 May 25
Kevin Frankental Creative Director of Lemon Photography courtesy of Sarah de Pina6 scaled

Kevin Frankental

Kevin Frankental is a South African designer and the co-owner and Creative Director of Lemon. Working across furniture and collectible design, his practice is rooted in a profound appreciation for natural materials and the enduring relationship between craftsmanship and time. Guided by an intuitive understanding of stone, wood, and other earth-derived materials, he creates pieces that reveal their intrinsic character while balancing sculptural expression with functional clarity.

Through his work, Frankental explores the idea of timelessness—not as a stylistic pursuit, but as a lasting dialogue between material, form, and making. His designs embrace authenticity, restraint, and permanence, creating objects that transcend trends and celebrate the enduring beauty of nature and craftsmanship.

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13 May 25
Alexis et Antoine low ©MarieWard 1

BehaghelFoiny Picks From Philia Collection

BehaghelFoiny is a design studio founded by Antoine Behaghel and Alexis Foiny. Based in Paris, both designers specialize in the creation of limited-edition furniture pieces. 

The duo explores the boundaries of the design discipline by combining traditional craftsmanship with unconventional materials. Their creations emanate from a spontaneous and playful approach to texture and color, leading them to work, in particular, with colored plaster and carved wood. BehaghelFoiny collaborated with Galerie Philia on the “Design Brut” co-creation project with kids in the South of France, and is currently in residence at Les Ateliers de Paris. 

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9 May 25