philippe malouin develops a range of radical room partitions for hem

during NYCxDESIGN 2017, stockholm-based brand hem joins forces with co-working space provider wework to present ‘study for screens’ — an installation by philippe malouin.

during NYCxDESIGN 2017, stockholm-based brand hem joins forces with co-working space provider wework to present ‘study for screens’ — an installation by philippe malouin. on view at wework’s bryant park venue from now through may 23rd, the visual research project explores various options for the spatial division of a room. malouin has focused his investigation on elements like texture, color, light refraction and reflection, soundproofing, flexibility, and weight.

since early may, malouin has been working in new york on the project for hem, beginning by modelling a range of quick sketch studies before going on to develop a selection of full-scale pieces to display at wework bryant park. ‘study for screens is a series of visual notes, or three-dimensional sketches on what it means to separate spaces,’ malouin says. ‘there are many ways to separate a space, how do these techniques apply to the space we live and work in?’

malouin’s screens are brought into the context of a contemporary workspace through their presentation alongside hem’s latest collection of furniture and objects. the pieces include a shelf, chairs, sofa, tables, floor covering and desk objects created by the likes of max lamb, pauline deltour, luca nichetto, staffan holm, sylvain willenz, karoline fesser and philippe malouin himself.

the installation seeks to address the future of the office as a platform for creative, flexible work. ‘the need for traditional office furniture is changing as workspaces increasingly cater to creative, independent professionals,’ describes hem founder and CEO, petrus palmér. ‘as a young design company serving both residential and commercial clients, hem witnesses, and drives this shift from a cubicle-centered environment to a label-defying, home-like workspace.’

‘the motivation for the installation echos one of wework’s primary goals,’ notes wework’s head of interior design, brittney hart. ‘to transform the idea of the traditional work space into a platform that is responsive to the professional needs and stylistic preferences of today’s mobile, creative, and entrepreneurial workforce.’