Modern Takes: A New Spin on Ancient Greek Archetypes

George Drakakis' Furniture Collection Marries History and Innovation

The Modern Takes collection draws inspiration from monumental shapes that have defined beauty and form throughout history. The collection comprises four pieces: Nike, the Winged Victory; Fragments; Trojan Horse; and Daedalus. Each piece has been designed along minimal lines to accommodate modern indoor and outdoor living. The collection is a testament to Drakakis' ability to reinterpret ancient Greek archetypal forms and concepts using advanced Glass-fiber Reinforced Polyester (GRP) design to create furniture with sculptural sophistication.

The Nike, the Winged Victory, is a set of dining and side/coffee tables. Fragments is a multi-functional object that can be used as a coffee table or stool, with two different tops revealed when turned upside down. The Trojan Horse is a dining chair, made of clear and flowing lines, while Daedalus is a modular display system. The repetition of the basic module forms clusters, and endless combinations can occur by simply rotating the module by 90 degrees.

The collection is made from glass-fiber reinforced polyester resin with a hand-polished gel coat. This material was chosen for its ability to handle the sculptural aspects of the design. The main construction technique for a small production cycle is the hand lay-up, by laying the polyester resin and processing it by hand into a mold. For mass-scale production, vacuum infusion or injection method will be used. Both these methods start the whole process by hand and then apply vacuum to yield lighter products.

The project started in January 2016 in Thessaloniki and was completed in June 2016. The collection embodies two major concepts. Firstly, the Sling Effect, which suggests that the more one looks back in time and cultural history, the more contemporary a design is. Secondly, the Rage Against Planned Obsolescence, a concept that utilizes time-resistant materials, such as fiberglass, to create timeless designs. This approach challenges the notion of ephemeral material and objects, and the idea of consuming for the sake of consuming.

The creative challenge was to introduce a start-up furniture collection that would best describe the spirit, values, and aesthetic of a brand new company based in Greece that specializes in bespoke and sculptural furniture. The goal was to highlight the cultural continuity and craftsmanship connection between the present and the past. The result is a collection that successfully blends minimal design with maximal heritage.

This Design was awarded Iron in A' Furniture Design Award in 2017. The Iron A' Design Award is given to well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. Respected for integrating industry best practices and competent technical characteristics, they provide fulfillment and positive feelings, contributing to a better world.