The inspiration behind Bloom stems from the beauty of summer and nature's most colourful creation - flowers. The parasol, designed to mimic a blooming flower, features fabric petals that create a canopy for relaxation. The wind makes these petals dance, creating a mesmerizing effect that adds a touch of magic to any outdoor setting.
What sets Bloom apart from other designs is its unique properties. The parasol is not just a functional piece, but also an artistic creation that enhances the aesthetics of any outdoor space. The fabric petals, inspired by the vibrant hues of flowers, create a canopy that provides shade and a visually pleasing experience. The wind adds a dynamic element to the design, making the petals dance and creating a mesmerizing effect.
The realization of Bloom involved the use of various materials and technologies. The top fabric is made of polyester (airtex), while the flags are also made of polyester. The pole is made of stainless steel, powder coated RAL3027, and the ribs are made of aluminium, powder coated RAL9010. The base is made of steel, which has been sandblasted, metallized, and powder coated. The parasol weighs 20 kg, and the base weighs 41 kg, making the total weight 61 kg.
The design process of Bloom started in February 2012 in Brussels and concluded in August 2012 in Bruges. The finished design was exhibited at Maison and Object in Paris in September 2012. The design process involved extensive research, including exploring the wonders of the mind, using the internet to find out what already exists, and creating sketches and 3D models. During prototyping, the designers discovered how the coloured cover fabric interacted beautifully with the white fabric underneath, creating an unexpected but beautiful effect.
Bloom faced several creative and technical challenges during its design process. The main creative challenge was to ensure that the design was not just a round version of the Breezer, a previous design. This was achieved by adding coloured tops that interacted with the fabric underneath and by playing with the different densities and spacing of the hanging fabrics. Technologically and technically, there were not many challenges as most of the learning had been done during the development of the Breezer.
The Bloom parasol is a testament to the power of design and innovation. It is not just a functional piece, but also a work of art that enhances the aesthetics of any outdoor space. The design was awarded the Golden A' Street and City Furniture Design Award in 2017, a testament to its outstanding design and trendsetting creation. The copyright for Bloom belongs to Symo nv, 2012.
Project Designers: Sywawa
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Bart Descheemaeker, Studio Bades, 2012.
Image #2: Photographer Bart Descheemaeker, Headline, 2012.
Image #3: Photographer Open Farm Community, Singapore, 2015.
Image #4: Photographer Bart Descheemaeker, Headline, 2012.
Image #5: Photographer Bart Descheemaeker, Headline, 2012.
Project Team Members: Davy Grosemants
Project Name: Bloom
Project Client: Sywawa