This series, COLLECTIBLE In-Depth, unveils the backstage of contemporary creation. Tackling various topics from personal designer processes to the position of collectible design on the global design market, COLLECTIBLE In-Depth offers different views to suit all tastes. Today we speak with Hyunseog Oh & Sangmyeong Yoo: from Niceworkshop. 

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COLLECTIBLE: Can you talk about a new piece / collection that you release for COLLECTIBLE this year?

Hyunseog Oh & Sangmyeong Yoo: For this year COLLECTIBLE, we designed Stainless steel cutlery set inspired by ‘Heavy equipment’. The Spoons, forks, and knives were made following the form and function of bulldozers, excavators, and rippers. This endeavor epitomizes our ongoing commitment to industrial aesthetics, and our cutlery reveals the aesthetic sense of form according to the function of different heavy equipment.

C: Where do you take your inspiration from?

Oh & Yo: We mainly design collectible furniture and objects, but we also do construction work in Seoul. Most of the inspiration for my work comes from construction sites. The basis of the design of our past works can be found in the equipment used while demolishing the interior of a building, discarded materials, and the process of creating a new space.

C: What is your favorite material?

Oh & Yo: We mainly like materials that can be found at construction sites and used to work with materials such as full threaded bolts, metals, and concrete. And we would say aluminum and stainless steel are our favorites.

C: How do sustainability-related questions influence your practice?

Oh & Yo: We think this is a very important topic. Especially when we look at the amount of waste generated during interior design projects, we think a lot. Creating something new is important, but it is also important to ensure that well-made things can be recycled rather than being thrown away. Based on this, we are preparing a series of furniture using recycled aluminum formwork from construction sites. While producing the series, we are deeply researching and exploring sustainability.