A furniture collection designed by Malta-based architect and designer Tom Van Malderen for the local brand Dari has achieved international recognition, securing the prestigious Product Design Award 2024 at Big See.
This platform, based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, celebrates quality in architecture and design, aspiring to serve as “a global springboard for a responsible, Bio Intelligent Generation.”
The collection was awarded the highest score by an international jury at a three-day event, where driTT was celebrated alongside industry giants like Volvo, Hisense, and JBL for its outstanding design and innovation.
Named driTT, after the Maltese word for "straight," the collection explores the creative potential of linear forms. Through a minimalist approach, Mr Van Malderen's designs unlock intricate layers of complexity within simplicity, blending rhythm and playfulness with functionality.
Produced at Dari's Qormi factory, the collection comprises of a range of furniture including tables, shelving units, home desks, benches, and stools. Each piece is crafted from decorative melamine-faced panels, a material typically reserved for kitchen and cabinet production. Mr Van Malderen's collection challenges conventional manufacturing techniques, redefining the possibilities of this material.
“The straight line might appear simple, but it offers endless creative possibilities,” Mr Van Malderen shares. “With driTT, we’ve infused industrial design with a playful edge, transforming everyday functional objects into sculptural works of art.”
Mr Van Malderen is known for his ability to reflect how people engage with their surroundings. His designs often incorporate deep cultural influences, offering unique interpretations of the materials and objects he works with.
driTT forms part of a larger project commissioned by Dari, curated by the brand’s design consultant Jennifer Apap Brown. This initiative also includes a kitchen collection by Valentino Architects and a bedroom collection by A Collective.
Main Image:Tom Van Malderen / LinkedIn Photo / Photo by Laura Besancon
