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CPUT Interior Design students awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize for

the Roche Bobois product design competition.

article written by: Colleen Cocotos – Senior Lecturer –
Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
R oche Bobois is a world leader company’s social consciousness and discover the fascinating culture of South
This competition is aligned with the
furniture
in
Africa and to collaborate with three of the
and
design
distribution.
University (Cape Town), Greenside Design
With a network of 255 showrooms in allows Roche Bobois to discover new bests design schools of the country: CPUT
talents through new cultures while giving
over 55 countries, the brand launches them the opportunity to emerge. Through Center (Johannesburg) and Tshwane
collections bi-annually working closely this collaboration, each party is enriched University of Technology (Pretoria).
with renowned designers and Haute by the differences in traditions, cultures,
Couture fashion houses. techniques, and learns from particular Design Award Theme
Roche Bobois designers’ creativity ways of thinking, conceiving products Design a luminaire, with a new source
and artisanal savoir faire bring out the and expressing creativity. of light.
best in the highest quality woods and From an applicant’s point of view, the Artificial light that must be brought
leathers and the most original fabrics. contest is a way of gaining exposure to the to interiors to improve our quality
Roche Bobois believe that savoir faire and professional world and learning the ins of life, both in terms of functionality
design are inseparable: both give life to a and outs of a product’s design, creation and aesthetics. In a few years, the LED
creation. What renders all Roche Bobois and production. revolution has dramatically changed the
pieces unique is the meticulous selection The winning designers will also earn conception of lighting fixtures, reducing
of materials, finishes and the finer details, the opportunity to have their products sixfold the energy required for a similar
which together express a touch of French prototyped and presented in the result. Reaching beyond the simple
Art de Vivre. international Roche Bobois congresses replacement of light bulbs, this revolution
Since 2009, the Roche Bobois Design that select the future models added was an opportunity to re-think lighting
Award competition has chosen to explore to its collection, thus being possibly objects, to create them for and with these
the diversity of new talents all over the manufactured and distributed through new types of light sources to improve
world. It is held every two years in a the Roche Bobois worldwide network. functionality.
different country. The winners will also learn about Also, and in keeping with the challenges
the communication process to gain of the times, the choice of materials used to
international press coverage for their manufacture all objects, including lighting
First prize winer Valdina Manuel product. fixtures, were reconsidered. Sustainable
For this 8th edition of the Roche Bobois materials must now be given priority,
Design Awards, Roche Bobois is proud to and upcycling can offer an opportunity to

18 Issue 256 • dw