Inspiration : Most of the times in constructions, the elements of electromechanical installations are "hidden" for matters of aesthetics. When it comes to Cava, the case is the exact opposite; the mounting of the piping takes up the lead role. Cava resembles a building in small scale made of columns and slabs, which can be split or expanded horizontally or vertically, depending on the space available. It is a multiform furniture inspired for numerous combinations of materials, designs, colours and textures.
Unique Properties / Project Description : It is a smartly designed product as it can transform in many different ways by changing: 1/ use (wine rack, bar, set of shelves, side table, meal table, wine tasting table), 2/ size (from small floor cava to a synthesis which can cover the walls of a whole space such as a living room, a bar, a cellar etc) and 3/ looks (plexiglas, wood, marble and metal in endless combinations of colours and designs), depending on the user’s needs. Moreover, it is collapsible and the special bottle holders made of pipe mountings allow the placement of bottles of any diameter or height.
Operation / Flow / Interaction : Each product of Cava range consists of columns, slabs and bottle holders which are easily connected in a mechanical way. The simple assembly system of Cava allows for the easy change of slabs, as well as for the division or expansion of the furniture into a smaller or larger composition respectively; thus the final product can be altered constantly through numerous combinations of materials, designs, colours and textures, depending on the needs of the user and the architecture and decoration of the space. Project Duration & Location : The first idea for Cava started in October 2011. The Cava Project started in December 2014 and was published as an industrial product in October 2015.
Production / Realization Technology: The frame structure of Cava is constituted by the columns and the slabs. The columns are made of solid steel, in 3 different heights. Available either with wheels for trolley Cava, or fixed base for free standing or wall-mounted Cava. The slabs are made of solid steel, solid wood or marble with laser-cutting. They function as shelves for object display or drink serving. Galvanized pipe holders that are placed in a sculptural complex, constitute the building block of Cava.
Specifications / Technical Properties: Cava-side tables: Width 25 x Depth 40 x Height 50 cm/ Width 40 x Depth 40 x Height 50 cm/ Width 54 x Depth 40 x Height 50 cm Cava-mini-bars: Width 25 x Depth 40 x Height 100 cm/ Width 40 x Depth 40 x Height 100 cm/ Width 54 x Depth 40 x Height 100 cm Cava-bars: Width 25 x Depth 40 x Height 200 cm/ Width 40 x Depth 40 x Height 200 cm/ Width 54 x Depth 40 x Height 200 cm/ Width 60 x Depth 40 x Height 200 cm/ Width 70 x Depth 40 x Height 200 cm/ Width 74 x Depth 74 x Height 200 cm Cava-tasting tables: Width 74 x Depth 74 x Height 50 cm/ Width 74 x Depth 74 x Height 100 cm/ Width 74 x Depth 74 x Height 200 cm Research Abstract: Research on Cava product range started from the basic element of the wine rack, the bottle holder. The aim was to find the appropriate size of a holder and the appropriate distance between the bottle holders, so that small and large bottles could be stored in the same Cava. Following several combinations of columns and slabs of different thickness, the decision was taken for the creation of a structurally solid product, which would keep the minimal style of the composition and would give the impression that the bottles are hanging in air.
Challenges : The challenge involved: a. the design of the finish for the metal slab, in a way that it proves to be user-friendly although it is a purely industrial material and b. the design of the interior of the wooden, solid, retro-design and perforated slabs respectively, so that they could fit in any Cava piece.
