SIMAN collection by Gian Paolo Venier for UrbiEtOrbi – All photos & styling © Olivier Lacrouts.

Milan 2018 – When Gian Paolo Venier received a postcard from an old Iranian friend representing the ancient Toghrul tower, situated near Teheran, he started to think about create an architectural tableware collection paying tribute to Iran architecture. The result was the SIMAN tableware series now produced by UrbiEtOrbi, a Greek brand specialized in the production of concrete accessories for the home.

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SIMAN means concrete Parsi. The 7 pieces series comprises a cake stand, candle-holder short, candle-holder tall, catchall, dish small, dish big, vase. “It carries a strong architectural character and act as little architectures populating our interior landscapes with a highly graphic and timeless personality.” Explains Gian Paolo Venier.

Available in light grey and anthracite SIMAN highlights the texture of the concrete and is hand crafted in Greece. The pieces were first “sketched” by the designer using clay – a material dear to him as it allows to freely explore shapes and textures.

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The resulting objects were then reinterpreted with a 3D modeling software and 3D printed in 1:1 scale. Lastly, these samples were used to create the silicon molds used by UrbiEtOrbi to cast the concrete pieces. The articulated prototyping process – that mixed different and very distant techniques, from the “ancient” clay molding to the ultra-contemporary 3D printing – ensured the desired final feeling of the pieces, in-between tradition and innovation.

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Gian Paolo Venier is a passionate traveler, in constant search of afar atmospheres to contaminate his design vocabulary. Designer and creative director at international level, he combines cosmopolitan elegance with the highest attention to materials, textures, tailor-made creations and sophisticated color palettes.

All photos & styling © Olivier Lacrouts – courtesy of Gian Paolo Venier.