A collection of furniture designed by architect and designer Tom Van Malderen for local brand Dari received the Product Design Award 2024 at Big See, a platform based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, that promotes quality architecture and design while aiming to become “the global springboard for a responsible, Bio Intelligent Generation.”
The extensive furniture line includes tables, shelving systems, home desks, benches and stools, all of which are manufactured at Dari’s production plant in Qormi using decorative melamine-faced panels, a material typically associated with kitchen and cabinet production. The collection reimagines and redefines the traditional logic of these manufacturing techniques, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Inspired by the Maltese word for “straight,” driTT playfully explores the potential of straight lines, unlocking endless layers of complexity within simplicity. The collection brings rhythm and a sense of play to industrial design, transforming functional pieces into sculptures where practicality meets pleasure.
“While a straight line may seem simple, it opens up infinite possibilities,” the designer says. “With driTT, we’ve infused industrial production with a playful twist, creating functional yet sculptural pieces.”
The collection earned the highest score from an international jury, securing its place among design leaders during a three-day award event, where driTT was celebrated alongside renowned brands such as Volvo, Hisense, and JBL for its excellence in design and innovation.
Based in Malta, Tom’s work spans the intersections of art, design, and architecture. His designs reflect his fascination with how people interact with their environments, incorporating rich cultural references into the objects and materials he works with.
DriTT is one third of the result of a test project commissioned by Dari, spearheaded and curated by the brand’s design consultant, Jennifer Apap Brown. The project also comprised the design of a kitchen collection by Valentino Architects and a bedroom collection by A Collective.
Photography courtesy of Tom Van Malderen
