The steel Collage sofa table, made by Bonaldo, was inspired by a bunch of assorted old mirrors that Alain Gilles saw at a flea market, all separate yet operating together as if they were one larger object. The Collage table is in fact two pieces, one individual coffee table and one group of four atatched together, that are articulated around the higher circular table. To understand how it can move around It’s best to watch the video. My personal favourite version of this ensemble is where there is one table with copper paint, a sort of sophisticated bling.

José Marton developed a technique for manufacturing striped acrylic which he patented in 2000. He used this to create the hybrid limited edition of designs for the Brazilian company Alle, where all the objects have two functions. I’m particular fond of the square table with it’s integrated light.  As with all the hybrid series it can be modified, the legs come in two parts so it can be higher or lower and it is possible to leave off the lamp. I’d definitely keep the lamp attached since I have often found table lighting to be one of the the most difficult elements to coordinate. Here the lighting is part of the object, so there is no jumping through hoops to find “the” appropriate wall sconce or table lamp. Another reason to keep the lamp attached is that frankly on the table the best place to store these extra adaptable parts, so for me the modulation is a little superfluous except evidently  for packing.

One major ecological advantages of this manufacturing technique is that everything left over from manufacturing theses tables is reused.