Babis Papanikolaou & Christina Tsiragelou, two Greek architects/designers created their own studio "157+173 Designers" only some moths ago during a hot summer day in the city of Thessaloniki*GR. Despite the fact that they haven’t celebrated their first year of operation yet, they have come up with many peculiar arts and crafts design objects which seem to be ideal for any space! Their unique perception of objects and forms has allowed them to design and manufacture products of unique aesthetic value and quality.
Their aim is to design objects which are very simple, yet functional and manufacture products of unique aesthetic value and quality. But above all what I really like about these objects is the totally eco-friendly, re-usable materials which have been used to create them. The utilization of simple construction materials such as wood and metal “betrays the designers’ intention not only to reveal each object’s origins and relationship with the natural environment, but also to situate them in the industrialized modern world.”
The preference of seemingly inexpensive materials is fundamental to the objects’ aesthetic value as they are; with a humorous design approach these objects are intended to imply a theatrical essence within them. All ideas have been meticulously tested and re-sketched before they come about to the final design and before they are finally converted into full scale objects. Whether they are intended for extensive production and/or for limited edition release, they are always created with the care of a handmade object.
Their simple clean lines and familiar forms with as little or no color for the objects designed gives the objects a very unique industrial aesthetic quality. Despite the construction of these objects through a mix and match conceptual procedure of a stylish combination of well-designed forms that surround us with their contemporary - brand new look is what makes each and every item so exceptional. Their 2D light collection consists of an entire range of lights which have been made out thin pieces of wood. In different shapes and sizes, each and every one of them is different from another reminding us of cartoon sketches and stick figures, while always being stylish and contemporary.
The Concrete light collection gives a scenographic subconscious meaning of “warning, work under construction;” while the lights have been fixed onto concrete of various shapes and sizes. Furthermore, many home accessories and occasional furniture objects have been designed in a very unique way, with attention to detail with an intense graphic design characteristic. The OSB wood application for the coat hanger range is absolutely amazing, a very eco-friendly material which will be used a lot in the future due to its unique recyclable character. We just can’t wait to see what these two designers will have prepared for their one year birthday celebration, and generally in the future!
About 157+173 designers Babis Papanikolaou has studied arts + architecture at University of Greenwich in London, from where he graduated in 2005. Coming back to his home town, Thessaloniki*GR, he gathered practical experience working in small scale and big scale architectural offices. At the same time, he is involved with music synthesis and video art. Christina Tsiragelou has studied architecture at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, from where she graduated in 2007. Working as a partner to various well known architectural offices, both during her studies and after she graduated, she has been involved in the proccess of synthesis and construction. At the same time, she is dealing with modeling of prototype or work in progress building ideas, for various architectural offices.
In the summer of 2009 they formed 157+173 designers in order to design and manufacture small and medium scale utility and decorative objects, either handmade or industrially produced. 157 +173 designers were formed in order to serve and facilitate their unceasing creative needs.