CONCRETE JEWELS

By Benjamen Judd

We came across these during the daily Search For Stuff breaks that we like to take – rings literally made from concrete and stainless steel. Created by the 22 Design Studio, they are a reflection on and homage to the work done by Japanese architect, Tadao Ando

Ando has to be one of the most ground-breaking, and breath taking, architects of this era. The Japanese-born designer has been the mastermind behind some of the most complex yet exquisite structures in not only his homeland of Japan but across the world. Ando’s work emphasises the heaviness of structure and the contrasting lightness of light and fuses the two into a seamless, spatial experience. Sound deep? It is – some of us got a chance to see some of his work whilst we were in Japan a year or so ago and to say it was moving would be an understatement.

22 Design Studio created the collection of rings with the same emphasis of duality in mind – the industrial materials of stainless steel and concrete conflict with the lightness and smooth texture of the ring itself. A word that was bandied around whilst writing this little review up was austere – and they are indeed that. There are no frills, no hidden surprises, just incredibly simple and beautiful rings. That happen to be made from concrete. Whilst they have been worked into various structural shapes, we think that the two most appealing are those that are the least designed. The fine peak and the simple, smooth surface are already on some of the fingers here at the QT offices. And they look amazing, if we say so ourselves.

22 Design Studio concrete rings are currently available from Top 3 By Design. You can buy them online here.

For more information on 22 Design Studio, head to their website.