Design Miami

Total design
Young New Yorkers Benjamin Aranda and Chris Lasch secured their up-and-coming status at multiple scales this year. The pair was responsible for conceiving the lacy tent commissioned by Design Miami to house its exhibitors—the first time the show has not been held inside an existing Miami Design District building. Moreover, Johnson Trading Gallery devoted half of his sprawling booth to Aranda\Lasch. There, collectors got a more intimate look at the architects’ approach to patternmaking with objects like the Octohedra Stool, a 10-piece run of CNC-milled sandstone, or the robotically cut, hand-assembled table Quasi Console. Johnson Trading Gallery, New York City. www.johnsontradinggallery.com

In bloom
Whereas the designs of Aranda\Lasch are derived from the mathematical patterns found in nature, David Wiseman takes a more literal approach to the subject. His work realistically portrays branches and flowers in bronze, porcelain, and other materials, and was one highlight at R 20th Century, well known for raising the profile of Modernist furniture designers such as Wendell Castle. At Design Miami the gallery introduced Wiseman and four other young designers, but also showed furniture by mid-century Brazilian designer Joaquim Tenreiro. R 20th Century, New York City. www.r20thcentury.com
Photo © Sherry Griffin for R 20th Century, New York 

Chilean cool
Cristina Grajales introduced Sebastián Errázuriz to the U.S. marketplace in 2006 with the launch of one limited-edition product, the wall-mounted Piano Shelf. But at this year’s Design Miami the Chilean designer effectively took over his patron’s booth. Among the deluge of new work was the Delta series: In this contemporary version of treen, Errázuriz routed a block made of plywood sheets into slender, streamlined seating. Cristina Grajales, New York City. www.cristinagrajalesinc.com