PHILIA MAGAZINE

KAARON Studio is a French artist duo founded by Karine Applanat and Aron Nicolet. Working at the intersection of sculpture, collectible design, and functional art, their practice explores the relationship between drawing, material, and making through an intuitive and deeply contemplative approach. Guided by a shared fascination with craftsmanship and the timeless qualities of natural materials, they create sculptural works that balance artistic expression with functional purpose.

Through furniture, objects, and sculpture, Applanat and Nicolet seek to reveal the quiet poetry of material transformation. Their work embraces simplicity, unity, and the idea of transmission, inviting raw earth, stone, wood, and other tactile materials to become enduring forms that foster a lasting dialogue between object, space, and human experience.

Ludovic Clément d’Armont is a French artist, designer, and founder of Semeur d’Étoiles, a multidisciplinary practice that explores the relationship between science, nature, and artistic expression. Drawing from both his engineering background and a long family tradition of artisans, glassmakers, painters, and craftsmen, he creates sculptural lighting and collectible objects that unite technical precision with poetic imagination.

Guided by a fascination with mathematics, natural phenomena, and the invisible forces that shape the universe, Clément d’Armont develops works that merge craftsmanship with scientific inquiry. Through glass, light, and carefully engineered forms, his practice celebrates the harmony between nature and human invention, creating objects that evoke wonder while exploring the dialogue between technology, beauty, and the human experience.

Paul Matter is a New Delhi–based lighting design studio founded by Nikhil Paul, whose practice explores the intersection of contemporary design and traditional Indian craftsmanship. Working across collectible lighting and objects, the studio creates sculptural pieces that balance form and function through a refined material language, combining aged brass, copper, stone, leather, and blown glass with meticulous handcraftsmanship.

Rooted in a dialogue between timeless design and material experimentation, Paul Matter collaborates closely with master artisans to develop objects that celebrate the enduring beauty of handmade production. Defined by sculptural forms, subtle detailing, and materials that acquire character over time, the studio’s work reinterprets traditional techniques through a contemporary lens, creating lighting that is both expressive and enduring.

Dessislava Madanska is an artist and spatial designer based in Stockholm whose multidisciplinary practice spans objects, sculpture, installation, and sound art. Drawing on backgrounds in architecture, product design, and spatial design, her work explores the relationship between materiality, perception, and human experience.

Through an experimental and research-driven approach, Madanska creates immersive environments and site-specific interventions that transform everyday materials into contemplative spatial experiences. Her practice moves fluidly between art and design, often investigating ritual, interaction, and the emotional qualities of space.

Savvas Laz is a Greek designer based in Athens whose practice explores the relationship between craftsmanship, history, and contemporary collectible design. Originally trained as a civil engineer before studying design at ÉCAL, he combines technical precision with a sculptural sensibility to create furniture, lighting, and objects that reinterpret historical narratives through a contemporary lens. His work balances refined minimalism with moments of ornament, celebrating the dialogue between function, material, and storytelling.

Working across collectible furniture, lighting, and sculptural objects, Laz collaborates closely with master artisans to preserve traditional craftsmanship while embracing experimental techniques and contemporary production. Drawing inspiration from architecture, mythology, and cultural heritage, his practice transforms historical references into timeless works distinguished by expressive materiality, meticulous detailing, and a quiet sense of theatricality.

Jérôme Pereira is a French sculptor and designer whose work explores the relationship between art, science, and the natural world. Initially trained in physics and geophysics, he later turned to sculpture, bringing his curiosity for natural phenomena, gravity, and equilibrium into a practice that bridges scientific inquiry and artistic expression. Based in the south of France, he creates sculptural lighting and objects that investigate balance, movement, and the invisible forces that shape our environment.

Working primarily with wood and blown glass, Pereira embraces the unpredictable qualities of natural materials, allowing each piece to emerge through a dialogue between intention and chance. His creations often evoke scientific instruments, celestial bodies, and elemental forms, combining technical ingenuity with a poetic sensitivity. Through a language of simplicity, tension, and equilibrium, he develops works that invite contemplation while revealing the subtle connections between nature, matter, and human perception.

Samuel Costantini (b. 1979) is an Italian designer and artist based in Fano, in the Marche region, whose practice explores the relationship between nature, material transformation, and sculptural form. Inspired by the surrounding landscape from an early age, he developed a lasting fascination with organic structures, geological textures, and the expressive qualities of natural materials.

In 2019, Costantini founded Dal Furlo, a studio inspired by the Gola del Furlo Nature Reserve, where he creates collectible furniture and sculptural objects in copper, bronze, and brass. Combining traditional metalworking techniques with experimental processes, he often transforms reclaimed materials through the unpredictable action of fire, producing unique works that embody a dialogue between craftsmanship, landscape, and time.

we+ is a Tokyo-based contemporary design studio founded in 2013 by Toshiya Hayashi and Hokuto Ando, whose practice explores the intersection of research, experimentation, and material innovation. Working across collectible design, installations, product development, spatial design, and art direction, the multidisciplinary studio brings together designers, engineers, researchers, and writers to create works that challenge conventional perspectives and reveal new ways of engaging with the natural and social environment.

Guided by an approach they describe as artistic research, we+ investigates overlooked materials, natural phenomena, and production processes to redefine their value through contemporary design. Blending scientific inquiry with craftsmanship and material experimentation, the studio creates thought-provoking works distinguished by their conceptual depth, refined aesthetics, and commitment to environmental and cultural sustainability. Their work has been exhibited internationally and is held in the permanent collection of the Vitra Design Museum.

Nina Edwards Anker is a Norwegian-born designer based in New York and the founder of NEA Studio. Working across furniture, lighting, interiors, and architecture, she has developed a multidisciplinary practice that explores the intersection of sustainability, material innovation, and human wellbeing. Guided by extensive research into solar design and environmental technologies, her work combines scientific inquiry with a sculptural sensibility, creating pieces that are both conceptually rigorous and deeply experiential.

Through a practice that moves fluidly between collectible design and spatial environments, Edwards Anker investigates how light, materiality, and emerging biomaterials can shape emotional and sensory experiences. Her work reflects a belief that design should enrich everyday life while fostering a meaningful connection between people, nature, and the built environment, resulting in objects and spaces that balance innovation with quiet elegance.

Ewelina Makosa is a designer and maker whose practice explores the relationship between material, memory, and form. Working across furniture, objects, and spatial interventions, she creates pieces distinguished by their sculptural presence, tactile qualities, and sensitivity to craftsmanship. Her work is guided by a fascination with process and transformation, balancing contemporary design with a deep appreciation for material expression.

Through a thoughtful and experimental approach, Makosa develops objects that evoke both function and emotion. Drawing inspiration from architecture, nature, and everyday rituals, her creations reflect a refined yet intuitive design language that celebrates individuality, material honesty, and the enduring value of handmade work.