Onderhoude met Mykolas Seckus and Antonio Gandolfo

The main principle behind the design is to have an adaptable system able to fit different programmes and contexts needs. The family of urban furniture “1X1” can be scaled up and down in three dimensions, thus filling up the void space in an urban fabric. There were three main inspiration sources starting from scaffolding structure and Rubik cube to Dieter Rams ‘‘Vitsoe 606 Universal Shelving System’’.

We wanted to imagine a modular three-dimensional grid made out of simple street furniture elements. We thought about the production and assembling process, likewise keeping low manufacturing and maintenance costs. Most of the components are standard in heavy production.

Since the beginning we planned to realize this project in the area it was designed for as an initial source of inspiration. We analyzed an island on the southeast of Copenhagen-Refshaleøen, which was in need of this kind of intervention due to a multitude of reasons, as this post-industrial area has never seen a proper public space regeneration. Besides that, the design can be adapted to any area, need, or city around the world in an appropriate setting. For this reason we would like to see the project held in production by a company and hopefully this might just happen thanks to the amazing opportunity we are receiving by the A Design Award team after winning the golden prize.

The design process went through different stages for several months. The main phase before the final submission was around 3 months long. Time was stretched due to the lack of time as we were working in an architecture firm at the time so we had to spend many long nights on it...

I guess it was the combination of inspiration and the surrounding influence such as working in an architectural firm at the time as well as other local Copenhagen design firm ideas rubbing-off on us.

We actually plan to sell it or lease the production rights.

If you mean street furniture, then we would suggest that we were looking for the opportunity to work on something together where we could join our shared knowledge and skillsets of Landscape Architect and Industrial Designer. Furthermore we wanted to create something that we could potentially implement and get built.

Otherwise, it was probably the time we spent on Refshaleøen island. For the record, it is one of those unique gems you can find in different cities around the globe. And as we continued to occasionally visit this place, we got more and more fond of it, hence we started to think that it might be interesting and fascinating to design something for the area as it has so much potential and need for various design interventions.

We love the approach of Dieter Rams and his ideas on Good Design. In the beginning we followed the 606 shelved system designed by Rams thinking about scalability and modularity and since then we kept those guidelines along with us.

The client could be anybody from municipality wanting a medium-scale public space intervention, to a small business owner who might be in need of some individual street furniture elements outside of his coffee shop. While the end-user would be anyone passing by our design

There are plenty of other modular street furniture families, however, most of them can only scale up horizontally, while we can grow vertically. Moreover, our design uses frame structure as a means of assembling various modules together while others join directly. As a result of these design aspects our furniture family has fewer restrictions and limits, thus capable of adapting and developing into an entire small scale public realm with various potential program options. Lastly, due to the frame structure and assembling methods the design comes even closer to a truly portable street furniture set, which is easy to transport and can be deployed according to the needs.

1x1 simply refers to the 1 to 1 meter grid system on which the whole design is based upon.

Initially we were using analog sketching and then we moved on to digital 3D modeling in order to start testing the idea.

Most likely its the aspect of true adaptability and scalability. It works as a stand-alone individual furniture peace as well as a full programme structure such as a pocket park or an event stage.

So far it has been an isolated process with only two of us having input on the design. Though we had a great amount of support from our friends and colleagues from the office where we used to work.

The role of technology would be to improve the manufacturing process ensuring an easy and low cots end product. Obviously further technological applications should be analyzed. But overall as a simple example we would like to see a convenient process method where a site such as Refshaleøen with its multiple facilities and programs would continually develop and progress its outside spaces with the help of 1x1 modules according to its real-time needs such as seasonality and various events. It could be a sort of dynamic urban ecosystem where modules could assemble into one large structure during a one a year music event, while otherwise group clusters of various programs which could exchange and improve by sharing individual elements.

In the early stages of our design process we conducted a site analysis as a source of inspiration as well as a link to real-life restrictions and issues. For instance, as we observed and analyzed the site we found the aspect of seasonality or a relatively quickly changing environment with different events, programs, or other circumstances requiring a spontaneous adaptation in a specific place within the site.

Well since we aimed to reduce the number of elements, materials, and fixing methods it was challenging to find ways to reduce additional parts in order to keep it as simple as possible. Otherwise the significant challenge was time management as all the work was done after office hours and weekends.

Well to begin with we started our design with a competition in mind. We wanted to participate in the competition as it could give us a better chance to actually realize our ideas as well as give some design recognition.

It is quite difficult to measure as well as to be self-critical about these sorts of aspects, but in a quick sum up we learned more about attending online design competitions as well as got better insights about modular systems.

Antonio: I have been studying Architecture since high school and since then I have decided to get specialized on small scale projects. I have then decided to attend an Industrial design degree in Turin, at the Polytechnic School of Torino which was a great school that gave me the tools to start building my skills. I have got the opportunity to attend a semester of Erasmus in Riga, Latvia, at the Art Academy of Latvia, one of the richest experiences of my life. The teachers in Riga selected one of my projects done during the semester to go to the Stockholm furniture fair and present it during Design Week. In my student career, I also worked in two different studios for internships. The first one in Turin, it was a renowned office for prefabricated houses called Leap Factory, the second and longest was in Copenhagen at BIG, Bjarke Ingels Group as Industrial Design assistant for one year. During this period I have met my partner Mykolas.

talking for me, Antonio, industrial designer, making stuff isn't really as a job but is more a way of life. When I was a kid I have been always inventing things making them with my hands. Since then, my background was starting to orient towards small scale goods. Even though I have been studying in an architectural high school keeping a wide-open view, my choice was to become an industrial designer.

While for me, Mykolas, Landscape Architect, since I grew up in the suburbs with my neighbor who is now a product designer we used to build and deconstruct things. As I noticed my particular fascination in design and art, I tried my chances at the National Art School where I was able to explore a wider range of art profilation. Not surprisingly I found myself enjoying the most the design curricula with particular focus on spatial design. But what concerns the question of why Landscape Architecture and not Architecture I don't have a definitive answer, but I would assume it was the fascination of the natural environment and the opportunity of working with raw elements and aiming to adapt them or transfer those primitive but complex qualities in an urbanized setting.

Antonio: I definitely chose to be a designer, it’s been my vocation since I was a child.

Antonio: It is hard to tell, I don't really prefer something, I love to get free random inspirations. I can tell what I have more fun to design which is furniture, especially chairs.

Mykolas: Well since I like to think of designer from a professional perspective as somebody with the toolset to create something. Some of us focus on small scale objects, while others on spatial design. But for me, the exploration of different scales and mediums is probably one of the most exciting things as a designer.

We think that the only way to get good results in a designer’s life is to always try and be confident with your skills. These two little things do not sound new for sure but it is really easy to forget about, sometimes you just need small rules to win...

A great designer always aims to solve problems of contemporary society, the designer is not a stylist.

Antonio: Design is to create something addressing needs for people. Design is all around us, it is invisible, sometimes we don't realize that simple things can change the world. That is design.

Mykolas: Just like Antonio said, design has to address something either the needs or issues of its users. Design should alter behavioural path. I guess it could be anything physical or digital consciously made for one or another purpose.

The real value of good design is found in what we actually think is helpful for our world, solving problems and design towards a new way to think to invest in something recognized as “Good Design” is investing into the future and at the same time investing for a better life for anyone. Spending capital on developing goods that we don’t need is translated into a waste of resources and human energies.

We would love to realize an Urban Furniture system if we had the time, something modular that helps people in creating new environments for overcharging lives...wait we already designed it! We just need to get it done, the project is already award-winning...

Our dream is to actually have the possibility to build our urban furniture system for real and hopefully for the area it was specially designed for.

Antonio: I believe success is composed of a group of ingredients. The way you achieve it is primarily based on the effort you put into the development of the project, then you need to focus on one main goal you want to aim for. Your result needs to fit what the client/you decided. The success is then dictated by the public response to the design. My key ingredient is to think about the whole process related to an object since the first sketches. Sketching something you already know is not viable is a waste of time...

Antonio: I am in love with Dieter Rams designs, he is a perfect example of what design should be, plastic is not a crime, just know how to use it. I really appreciate Scandinavian design as well, it is the same field of Dieter and the whole philosophy behind how things are lived in northern countries is also a good example we should get inspired from for our houses.

Antonio: one of my favorite designs is the “pressed chair” by Harry Thaler, an Italian designer based in Merano. I love this object simply because is the essence of sustainability and good design nowadays, it is produced using one material and 1 main process.

Look constantly around you, analyze and get your critics about what you see. Learn and remember from all the experiences.

I can’t really say, I love this job and I don’t really see myself doing something else.

Antonio: Design is to create something addressing needs for people. Design is all around us, it is invisible, sometimes we don't realize that simple things can change the world. That is design.

Mykolas: Just like Antonio said, design has to address something either the needs or issues of its users. Design should alter the behavioral path. I guess it could be anything physical or digital consciously made for one or another purpose.

the people and the experiences that taught me a lot in my life were mainly my teachers in Latvia and my mentors in the office in Copenhagen.

We are still working to become a great designer

I have encountered many obstacles during my short career so far. The biggest one was the challenge to change the user’s mind. Sometimes you have a vision where you think at least you could make something better for real but changing some people’s habits.

designers should present their work without filters, showing up the whole process and the path being followed during the design stage. Sometimes the client fall in love with something you did not consider important

As a duo, we would like to keep on working on our first project, 1x1. The goal is to develop it on the way we can then serve it to any situation. In our future we would love to develop new concepts directly requested by clients.

my ultimate goal as a designer is to develop products addressing real needs of people, solving XXI century’s problems.

People always expect to receive professional and complete packages of content.

Antonio: Design is to create something addressing needs for people, sometimes we don't realize that simple things can change the world. Design is a word often improperly used, good design must change our way to live solving daily challenges.

Mykolas: Just like Antonio said the design has to address something either the needs or issues of its users. The design should alter the behavioral path. I guess it could be anything physical or digital consciously made for one or another purpose.

As a duo, we received real satisfaction from our adaptable furniture system. It yet received two first prize in two different international competitions such as the “A design award”. We really believe in the idea behind the system and we recognize is something could really change the way we live our urban environments.

I would like to see more quality in terms of optimization of resources and better/clever designs that really follow what good design teaches us.

We can't really tell right now, Corona Virus is a game-changer

Finalize a design is a very long process it could take from a few months to even a year or more. The time you need is related to volatile factors such as the way the client behaves. Another important factor is the complexity of the product requested.

It really depends, sometimes I think about it randomly and I suddenly come up with some ideas. Other times, especially if it is a more complex project I need to start from research and different studies. I change my approach accordingly to the type of request.

do it, but better

We think it is a bit of both, there are people and things in the design field that actually sets a trend, the rest is following...

Antonio: “da cosa nasce cosa” from Bruno Munari

Antonio: one word, practice

talking for me, Antonio, industrial designer, making stuff isn't really as a job but is more a way of life. When I was a kid I have been always inventing things making them with my hands. Since then, my background was starting to orient towards small scale goods. Even though I have been studying in an architectural high school keeping a wide-open view, my choice was to become an industrial designer.

While for me, Mykolas, Landscape Architect, since I grew up in the suburbs with my neighbour who is now a product designer we used to build and deconstruct things. As I noticed my particular fascination in design and art, I tried my chances at the National Art School where I was able to explore a wider range of art profilation. Not surprisingly I found myself enjoying the most the design curricula with particular focus on spatial design. But what concerns the question of why Landscape Architecture and not Architecture I don't have a definitive answer, but I would assume it was the fascination of the natural environment and the opportunity of working with raw elements and aiming to adapt them or transfer those primitive but complex qualities in an urbanised setting.

Our duo was simply born as a collaboration between two colleagues in the same renowned architecture studio in Copenhagen. The motivation behind our duo was the wish to do something alone, detached from the office work and with less creative limitations. We were always joking and coming up with two minute utopian and fictional ideas during our breaks. I guess we thought that in any case it would be at least great fun to work together and we might just come up with something unconventional and reasonably well designed. So we started looking for competitions and a beginning point from where we could start.

Antonio: Design is to create something addressing needs for people. Design is all around us, it is invisible, sometimes we don't realize that simple things can change the world. That is design.

Mykolas: Just like Antonio said, design has to address something either the needs or issues of its users. Design should alter behavioural path. I guess it could be anything physical or digital consciously made for one or another purpose.

Antonio: It is hard to tell, I don't really prefer something, I love to get free random inspirations. I can tell what I have more fun to design which is furniture, especially chairs.

Mykolas: Well since I like to think of designer from a professional perspective as somebody with the toolset to create something. Some of us focus on small scale objects, while others on spatial design. But for me, the exploration of different scales and mediums is probably one of the most exciting things as a designer.

Antonio: I wouldn't recognize my favourite design as an object but more likely as a style or approach to design. That would be Dieter Rams and the Good Design. I am talking about one of the giants that wrote the history, his philosophy of Good design has to be the guideline for the current and next generation of designers if we want to change something in the world. We have to stop making useless goods. Rams inspired us for the 1x1 with his bookshelves system and the approach to modularity.

Mykolas: I couldn't agree more with Antonio. We actually watched the movie ''Rams'' around a month or so before we started working on our competition. Despite being an industrial designer by his professional profilation in his elder years he began of exploring more and more other design areas such as landscape architecture. He managed to simplify and condense essential design truths in his good design principles. Since design is universal he should be the source of inspiration just the same for product designers as for architects.

Antonio: I have been involved in the design of a little wooden figure, a panda made out of wood. I love the final result, it is the best representation of the lazy animal it is supposed to be. It was designed fo the company Architectmade with the studio BIG.

Mykolas: As far as I can remember since I started doing internships after the first year of bachelor, my first work for the company was quite boring and definitely not glamorous. But the fact that I continued on with my studies, was a sort of proof I was on a more or less correct track.

Antonio: My favourite material is surely wood. Simple to work with and sustainable.

Mykolas: I guess my answer as a landscape architect should be plants or something like that. But to be frank, most likely its those primitive technologies or materials which in a sense are very exciting to work with since you get that quick direct feedback and satisfaction.

Antonio: When it is getting dark outside and during the night.

Mykolas: When I manage to detach myself from stress or other disturbing factors. I wouldn't say its a specific place, time or activity even though you still need to work a bit to get those creative ideas out.

The main aspect of design focus was the development of modularity and adaptability for various programs. In other words, a big part of the design process was focused towards finding solution on how to create this modular system which could be easily and practically transformed into various programs while ensuring individual object functionality and visual quality when placed in isolation

Mykolas: I guess since the design is inevitably an emotional process as in the of the day we use our gut feeling which tends to determine the path of the process, there is a range of emotions involved. Furthermore, despite the design process being quite frustrating process due to a multitude of reasons such as the issue of idea translation from abstract and subjectively comprehended thought of imagination into something stable and polished. I would suggest I feel at least a bit of satisfaction and hopefully fun, cause otherwise, you might lose that passion and motivation on the way.

Antonio: while I'm focused on designing, during the creative process my mind gets completely detached from reality, almost in another dimension. This kind of feeling is not something you can control if you are in it, if you feel this emotion, it means that you are going the right direction with your ideas. Sometimes it is nice to go back on sketches and products of those "creative moments" to redefine what you initially thought with a little more rationality.

Mykolas: I guess it really depends on how you feel about the implementation quality as if you don't feel satisfied it might make you feel quite unsettling. But overall it should be a cherry on the top, giving you the final reward for all the struggle.

Antonio: Every time something you have worked on is realized, I could say in my case that is "on the shelves" (at the shop) then you know that you did something great. In our case, with our project, we will feel realized when our design will be gloriously standing.

when the design is actually implemented as well as when people appreciate the design because of the object and not because of the designer himself

The first aspect we consider to judge if a design is good or bad is if it is actually addressing any solution to real problems of the world. This is what should be the first aim of every designer.

I don't think designer has different responsibilities than any other citizen. We should all be conscious of our individual and collective behaviour and impact on society and the environment. The only difference is the set of tools and the scale of impact. So I guess we as designers just have more pressure to ensure a positive outcome of our actions ''design''.

In the beginning of the design process for 1x1 we established a couple of insights such as the growing trend for democratising design and tools for it. People are moving away from generic mass production with an increasing focus for reusability and recycling/up-cycling. Furthermore, society is moving towards the concept of design by demand which allows user to have an increasingly stronger voice to directly influence the product manufacturing process. The latter opens up doors for customization and interaction between the final product and the client/user.

I like to belive our design is at least a partial reflection of these current and future design directions.

Mykolas: Its never just one place or a thing I do which puts it all together. Though sketching and just working on it helps. But in most cases when you do so you are just pulling out some of pre-formulated ideas from your head. For me personally its important to always find at least one thing which could bring a completely different perspective or source of information.

Antonio: Nowadays the internet has the greatest potential giving us source to unlimited content. When I want to get inspired I don't use the web because I would get invested by a number of useless information I don't really need. I mostly find inspiration around me, from the nature of previous experiences.

Mykolas: I think it is a bit too early for me to distinct my style. I would rather let my current and future work to formulate a description of my style.

Antonio: I don't think I have a personal style...anyhow I had tell that I am always approaching design in a way which I can find helpful to solve problems. I mean, that's my way to see design.

Mykolas: I am originally from Lithuania, but since I have started studying I have moved to England for my Bachelor and then to Denmark, Copenhagen for practice during a gap year and then master studies. Not sure about specifically my cultural heritage, but definitely the combination of living in all those different places and being submerged in various cultures allowed me to alter my perception and design methodology.

Antonio: I am from Italy, and I don't really think this has changed my perspectives. I am of course taking care of the history that my country has in the design field, the masters that marked with their masterpieces.

I guess since all of us as designers are very individual, the one thing I could suggest is just to keep an open mind and from time to time slightly change the angle of application processing as it is easy to overlook and underrate someone during those conventional methods. Just as if a designer will continue using the same methods most likely he will end up with a somewhere similar outcome. It might work well for a while, but from time to time you might need some fresh breeze.

The design process went through different stages over several months. The main phase before the final submission was around 3 months long. Time was stretched due to the lack of time as we were working in an architecture firm at the time so we had to spend many long nights on it. In the beginning, we were trying to formulate the concept alongside working with the site analysis as a source of inspiration. Then we moved on to practicalities working with 3D model. One of the main focus areas were solving the concern of how to make the modular system work individually as well as together with minimum limitations and amount of elements such as fixing parts.

Mykolas: iPhone; Laptop; Bluetooth Speaker; Headphones; Chef's Knife

Antonio: Sketchbook, 3d printer, good books, laptop, and music.

Mykolas: I would say it varies quite a lot from month to month. But none the less when I wake up I have my morning shower and breakfast. Then I move on with the day. At the moment it's my university matters. Around an early evening, I am done with lectures so head back home to have a meal and then do what was left for work before doing some exercising or just going for a walk. When you sum up its pretty basic, but the beauty hides in the details and small moments.

I guess both of us still fall in the category of young designers so we will step back and allow the elder to share their wisdom while we try to listen and figure it out ourselves.

Mykolas: Designers tends to appreciate slightly different things such as details and aesthetic qualities or practicalities/functionalities. Being surrounded by high-quality objects, architecture or public space gives pleasure which is slightly more conscious to a designers eye. However, it might be just as pleasing as frustrating when you see something out of place or poorly designed.

Antonio: From my perspective, one good side of being a designer is when you actually see realized something you have designed. it is a tangible proof of your work! one main downside is that it is really hard sometimes, you have no office hours, especially if you work on your own...

Rules are there to be broken. Always keep improvising and don't be restricted since rules and guidelines are great as a stepping point but they always overlook at least a small aspect of potential within the specific context.

Confidence and idea expression either analogue or digital as well as verbal communication.

Its a bit funny question. It is like asking how long does it take to do anything? It depends on how much time you put in. If you are working alone or with a team. What is the quality of the product you are looking for?

Mykolas: What is landscape architecture

Antonio: Can you make me a logo? ( I don't make logos!!)

Practice at a renown architecture firm in Copenhagen.

I guess our future plans are trying to implement our design and to see it getting build.

We work as a duo

Linkedin or email