Philia
Magazine
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.
Evan Jerry – Studio Anansi
Evan Jerry is a Canadian-born designer, artist, and the founder of Studio ANANSI, a London-based practice established in 2018. Drawing inspiration from art, architecture, craft, and the storytelling traditions of the African diaspora, Jerry creates sculptural furniture and objects that explore the relationship between culture, materiality, and contemporary design. Named after Anansi, the legendary figure from West African and Caribbean folklore, the studio is rooted in narrative, curiosity, and a desire to foster new cultural dialogues through form.
Through Studio ANANSI, Jerry develops works that balance artistic expression with functional design, combining refined craftsmanship with a strong conceptual foundation. His practice has gained international recognition through collaborations, exhibitions, and collectible design presentations, creating pieces that celebrate heritage, innovation, and the enduring power of storytelling.
Laurène Guarneri Picks From Philia Collection
Laurène Guarneri is a French designer and artisan based in Paris whose practice explores the poetic relationship between light, reflection, and everyday life through sculptural mirrors. A graduate of the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris-Cergy and the École Supérieure d’Arts & Médias de Caen, she creates handcrafted pieces that transform mirrors into contemplative objects, inviting a more sensitive and intuitive way of experiencing space.
Inspired by fleeting moments in nature—the changing colours of the sky, sunlight, rain, and quiet everyday observations—Guarneri develops works that celebrate simplicity, poetry, and perception. Through refined forms and meticulous craftsmanship, her mirrors preserve these ephemeral moments, encouraging viewers to pause, reflect, and rediscover the beauty found in the ordinary.
Morten Linde – Studio Yolk
Studio Yolk is a Copenhagen-based art and design studio founded by Pernille Iben Linde and Morten Linde. Creating collectible furniture, lighting, and sculptural objects, the studio combines contemporary Scandinavian design with playful forms, tactile materials, and meticulous craftsmanship. Rooted in an experimental and collaborative approach, Studio Yolk develops pieces distinguished by organic forms, refined materiality, and a warm, human-centred sensibility, resulting in timeless works that balance artistic expression with everyday functionality.
Goons Picks From Philia Collection
Goons is a Paris-based design studio founded in 2020 by architect Paul Trussler and designer and creative editor Mia Kim. Working across furniture, objects, and interiors, the studio is guided by an artisanal approach that explores simple concepts executed with precision, creating pieces defined by clarity, functionality, and careful craftsmanship.
Drawing on backgrounds in architecture, fashion, fine art, and model-making, Trussler and Kim bring together diverse creative disciplines to develop a distinctive design language rooted in simplicity and material honesty. Their work has been featured in publications including AD Collector, AD France, AD Italia, AD Germany, AD Middle East, Elle Décoration, and Milk Decoration.
Pierre de Valck 5 Picks From Philia Collection
Pierre De Valck is a Belgian designer based in Ghent whose collectible furniture explores the dialogue between geology, archaeology, and contemporary design. Fascinated by historical artefacts and the passage of time, he creates sculptural pieces that reinterpret ancient materials through a contemporary lens, transforming furniture into modern relics imbued with memory and permanence.
Each work is meticulously handcrafted using rare minerals and stones selected for their unique geological and historical significance. Preserving the natural character of these materials, De Valck creates one-of-a-kind pieces that transcend function, celebrating the enduring beauty of the earth while connecting contemporary craftsmanship with humanity’s collective past.
