From August 14th to September 23rd, I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a residency in China, organized by the Rong Design Library and Pro Helvetia Shanghai. During this residency, I chose to visit Boshan, in Zibo, a city recognized as the birthplace of Chinese glass artistry.
The city is saturated with glass art, from handblown pieces to complex sculptures in vibrant colors famously known as ´liuliª. In China, liuli refers to artisanal glass, setting it apart from “boli”, which describes industrial glass used for everyday items like bottles and drinking glasses. Liuli is known for its striking palette, featuring colors such as imperial yellow, also called chicken fat, chicken liver red, and opal white, commonly referred to as China white.
In Boshan, I worked with Xiye Gonfang, a famous local glass factory. On the first day, I discovered that the factory also produced extruded glass rods as material for future glass beads. The process of creating these rods, from extrusion to cutting and packaging, was fascinating. The waste glass produced during calibration formed unique, colorful shapes that resembled candies. Intrigued by these remnants, I sought to repurpose them into new creations. Although the workshop staff were skeptical about using this waste due to the risk of breakage, I was determined to experiment. I collected interesting waste samples and handed them to Mr. Li, our first craftsman, to test. The results were promising, with the melted waste transforming into beautiful, soft patterns.
This project aims to raise the dialog on waste management by a rather soft and poetic approach. By transforming waste into new creations, I sought to celebrate the beauty of imperfection and uniqueness while challenging traditional notions of material value. Experimenting with discarded fragments yielded surprising results, demonstrating that even the byproducts of production hold potential for innovation.
Ultimately, this research underscores the transformative power of design. It demonstrates that waste is not an endpoint but a starting point for innovation, creativity, and dialogue about our collective responsibility for the planet. By embracing the dual goals of preserving heritage and promoting sustainability, this project encourages a new perspective on materials, one that values their potential rather than their disposability.
Project kindly supported by Rong Design Library and Pro Helvetia Shanghai
Céleste is a chandelier that makes use of the LED strips flexibility. This luminous ribbon is commonly applied and glued to a stiff surface. Céleste to the contrary highlights its softness. Feathery loops enlace and design a light shade that shines with a warm glow. The diodes, placed at regular intervals remind the crystals of an ancient chandelier.A lamp is built from one or two modules which depending on their placement, influence the curve, shape, and size of the lamp.Adaptable to any interior, Céleste lends itself equally well to an entrance hall or a dining room.
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Currently available in a numbered edition produced with the Alfaset Foundation in Neuchatel.
Supported by ProHelvetia Switzerland, IKEA Foundation Switzerland, NOV Gallery, and Irpd AG.
year : 2017 (first edition) - 2023 (second edition)
Verso is a versatile vase designed for both large bouquets and single flowers :
-> With the glass bubble facing down, Verso serves as an elegant centerpiece for generous flower bouquets.
-> Turn it upside down to highlight individual flowers.
Production by Niesenglass (CH)
Material : Hand blown Glass
Price: On demand
Colors: opal rose / green
Dome is a candy jar that doubles as a display stand simply by reversing the orientation of its lid.
Edition by MFP Préfabrication SA
Material : high density colored concrete
Year: December 2023
La Jeune Chambre Internationale (JCI), a concrétisé une idée folle - celle de créer la plus grande fontaine à absinthe du monde!
Cette fameuse fontaine, dessinée par la designer neuchâteloise Laure Gremion et son assistant Etienne Desaulles, a été inaugurée 1er juin 2024 à 10:00 à la Maison de l’Absinthe à Môtiers à l’occasion du 10ème anniversaire du musée et durant la manifestation locale “Absinthe en fête”.
Ce projet fou a pu être réalisé grâce au soutien de nombreux partenaires : La commune de Val-de-Travers, Paris & Comtesse SA, La Maison de l’Absinthe, Pays de l’Absinthe, Destination Val-de-Travers, Burkhalter & associés, le Casino de Neuchâtel, GastroNeuch, Le CNIP (Centre neuchâtelois d’intégration professionnelle), Birchler Recycling et Neuchâtel Vins & Terroir et Bourquin SA.
La fontaine géante en chiffres :
3 m 39 de haut
18 robinets
1002 Litres de capacité
La JCI Neuchâtel a offert la fontaine à la Maison de l’Absinthe et elle est maintenant disponible pour animer vos événements.
Contactez Laure Gremion : info@lauregremion.ch pour plus d’informations sur les conditions de prêt.
Direction de projet : JCI Neuchâtel
Design : Laure Gremion Studio (Neuchâtel)
Production : Paris & Comtesse SA (Boudry), Plastiglas (Hauterive), CNIP (Couvet), Concept Inox (Avenches), Impression 3D (Neuchâtel)
Propriétaire : Maison de l’Absinthe (Môtiers)
Matériaux : Acier inox, plexiglas, impression 3D
Oleo is a fragrance diffuser with wax stones. A tea light candle is placed underneath and melts the wax. By rotating the diffuser on itself, you can adjust the flame’s intensity.
Production by MFP Préfabrication SA
Material : high density colored concrete
Year: 2023
"Galm" materializes a series of monumental planters. Between nature and artifact, these majestic monoliths dress outdoor spaces like sculptures. Their timeless shapes, both round and prominent, elegantly convey the qualities of metal. Patinated, this mysterious material dialogues with the landscape. For this first object of the Signature Edition, the Neuchâtel industrial designer Laure-Gremion has emphasized the clear and incisive lines characteristic of sheet steel. Passionate about the magic of materials and manufacturing processes, she has developed simple yet iconic geometric shapes that highlight Schaller's expertise.
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Edition by Schaller Sàrl in Switzerland
Year : 2023
Material : Steel
Available in three generous sizes, the Galm collection sublimates the surrounding nature.
Galm, the origin of the name
Galm is an atypical Swiss township. It is the only one that consists exclusively of forest, without any inhabitants. The Galm forest, one of the most beautiful oak forests in Switzerland, has its own coat of arms and is administered directly by the State of Fribourg, its owner. A forestry engineer is the managing director of this unique community.
The "Oleada" table is the result of a collaboration between the industrial designer Laure Gremion and the ceramist Coline Peltier. "Oleada" skillfully combines the ideas of the designer and the expertise of the ceramist while combining their formal languages.
The set is composed of two nesting tables with wave-shaped bases. These two elements can be positioned in multiple ways and interact with each other, revealing an intriguing play of light and shadow.
Sharing their premises, they wanted to create a special coffee table for the living room area of the studio. The concept was to create two similar elements but of different sizes with production and size constraints of the tools available in Coline Peltier's workshop namely the rolling mill and the kiln.
They therefore developed their shapes from laminated clay plates and adapted the dimensions of the table to the maximum possible with the available tools. Once the constraints were established, the duo made several small-scale models to find the ideal shape.
They settled on a (soft) wave shape which offers an intriguing play of light and shadow while providing stability and ease of and easy to produce in series.
Coline then worked on the material, proposing a chamotte stoneware for the base and a tray of the same color but smoother and glazed for the top. In order to reveal the beauty of the curve of the base, she also suggested that one of the two tables with a glass top.
Photo credits: Noé Cotter
Aura is a lamp made of two similar concrete parts. Once the lamp is assembled, it can be used in 3 different ways, as a table lamp, a pendant, or laying on its side. The two thin parts are easy to pack and transport.
Edition by MFP Préfabrication SA
Material : high density colored concrete
December 2022
My Deer is a cocktail glass made for the event A Table, curated by QG Art Center and in collaboration with the brand Jägermeister. The bottom of the glass is blown in a wooden mold. As the glass is blown, it burns the mold and creates a texture on the surface of the glass. The top part is a clear glass bubble connected to the bottom while the glass is still hot. The artisanal glass blowing process makes every piece unique.
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Edition by QG Art Center & Jägermeister
Production by Niesenglass
Material : hand-blown glass
year: 2020
Détour is a cheese plate made for the event A Table, curated by QG Art Center. Cheeseboards are often flat and simple. The idea of this plate is to create a creative environment to present cheese, playing with the border of a plate, put in volume. A handle is created to enable easier service. Produced with a CNC 5 axis, the trace of the drill can be seen on the surface and act as an anti-slipping texture.
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Edition by QG Art Center
Production by Coulet Frères
Material: solid oak
year: 2020
Chocolatissimo
Pour les 10 ans de @chocolatissimo_ne , Laure Gremion et Maël Bächtold signent une nouvelle identité visuelle interactive à la frontière du design graphique et design de produit. Les formes géométriques de cette identité s’animent à l’ouverture des emballages et en réalité augmentée en scannant les affiches.
À cette identité s’ajoute un travail sur la création d’une nouvelle plaque de chocolat «Pierre d'Hauterive » Par Laure. Et sur la refonte du logo Chocolatissimo par Maël.
crédits photo: Noé Cotter
The vase "Verso" can be used in two ways, the textured part down, for large flower bouquets or up, for single flowers.
This object is part of the Concrete Collection made in collaboration with MFP Préfabrication SA. Each piece is handcrafted in their workshops in Marin, Switzerland.
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Material: colored concrete
Client : MFP Préfabrication SA
Year: 2022
Calenda is a perpetual calendar made out of concrete. A simple movement slides the central element to the next day in a poetic way.
This extremely thin shape highly challenges the concrete and makes it become super light.
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Material: colored concrete
Client : MFP Préfabrication SA
year: winter 2020
Couronne is a candle holder made of 4 identical parts with a twisted ribbon-like shape. Magnets allow the candle-holder to form a crown, a line or a ribbon shape depending on how the parts are positioned.
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Material: concrete
Client : MFP Préfabrication SA
Year: 2021
CHOCOLATISSIMO
Pour célébrer les 10 ans de Chocolatissimo, Laure Gremion Studio a conçu une toute nouvelle tablette de chocolat inspirée de la pierre d’Hauterive, emblème de la région neuchâteloise.
Au-delà de sa couleur, la pierre d’Hauterive se caractérise par différentes techniques de tailles de pierre. Nous avons capturé ces textures à l’aide d’un scanner 3D puis les avons modélisées afin d’obtenir un moule dans lequel un chocolat blond, aux teintes dorées de la pierre jaune a été coulé.
Gold Quintin 31% :
Sucre, beurre de cacao, poudre de lait entier, lactosérum en poudre (lait), matière grasse laitière, sirop de sucre caramélisé, lécithines de soja.
Design de la tablette de chocolat : Laure Gremion Studio
Photo sur fond bleu ciel : Noé Cotter
Paco is a planter out of high density colored concrete. Its pattern is inspired by corrugated walls, construction elements widely used by MFP Préfabrication.
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Available in 3 colors: rose, black, and light green
Client: MFP Préfabrication SA
year: 2019
Originally made as an Easter gift for the clients of MFP Préfabrication, now available for purchase.
Amalgame is a clock made out of terrazzo and colored concrete.
Composed of 3 removable parts, it can be easily disassembled for transport or to change the battery.
This object is part of the Concrete Collection made in collaboration with MFP Préfabrication SA. Each piece is handcrafted in their workshops in Marin, Switzerland.
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Material: colored concrete & terrazzo
Client : MFP Préfabrication SA
year: 2021
Girolle &co is a redesign of the traditional circular cheese grater « Girolle » invented by Nicolas Crevoisier in 1982. This new version offers a wider diversity of uses thanks to a reversible elongated board and a storage compartment. The front of the board includes metal pins to fix the « Tête de Moine » cheese and the back of the board is smooth which allows arranging other cheese and delicatessen once the board is turned over. Easily removable, the central rod and the blade can be stored in the internal compartment.
I think the « Girolle » is an awesome product, very smart, simple, and efficient, nevertheless, it is a pretty cumbersome object and it can only be used for its main purpose. At home, I only use my « Girolle » once or twice a year and I never unscrewed the central rod, as I have no idea where to store it once disassembled. My new « Girolle &co » offers the traditional « Girolle » new perspectives with a wider tray, providing space for other cheese or cold cuts. Moreover, the assembly of the components is simplified and there is a storage room for spare parts. The real challenge of this project was to keep the essence and simplicity of the original product as well as optimizing its manufacturing costs for production in Switzerland.
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Part of the Inspired by Switzerland collection 2020
Material: maple wood, steel
year: 2020
Cascade is a watering can be made out of concrete. At one side allows water to pour normally and the other side breaks up the stream of water into droplets, to avoid excessive water pressure on the soil or on delicate plants, like a watering can rose.
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Material: colored concrete
Client : MFP Préfabrication SA
year: 2020
The idea is a bookend made of two stairs that interlock. In this way, it can be sent as a perfect cube. Concept inspired by architecture and one of the company’s main business: prefabricated stairs.
Both elements of the bookend are made of high-density concrete out of one unique mold and can be assembled in a cube to facilitate transport and packing.
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Available colors: black or red
Client: MFP Préfabrication SA
year: 2018-2019
Ariane is a Popsicle stick specially designed for “Esquimaux”, an exhibition curated by Palais Galerie, in Neuchâtel. Along with 62 other ice cream sticks original designs.
It is a reminder of the traditional rocket popsicle but this time at take-off.
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Part of the “Esquimaux” collection curated by Palais Gallery
Exhibition at Mudac Lausanne in 2020
Year : 2019
Bird feeder made out of 3 pieces of concrete. A string holds all parts together and enables an easy opening to refill the container.
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Material: Ccolored concrete
Client: MFP Préfabrication
Year : 2019
Accolade consist in an alternative to the classical wheelbarrow. The trolley is equipped with two hooks which slide easily into the handles of the bag. A lever movement lifts the bag and one can effortlessly move it. The possession of multiple bags enable a better efficiency and a range of uses depending on the owner needs. The bag has four handles so that you may easily take it from every side. The below handles allow to empty the bag. Graduation project at ECAL.
James Dyson National Award 2012.
Ting is a rain collector for garden use. The top part is made of brass using the cymbal manufacturing technique. The brass sheet is hammered and heated by hand until it takes a curved and natural shape. As the raindrops fall on the top, soft music can be heard. The water is then collected in the ceramic vase and may be used to water indoor plants.
That project was developed during a Summer workshop with Chenya Wang from Tsinghua University and produced in a limited numbered edition.
Arrimage in an extremely light and compact bag made of DuPont Tyvek®, a wonderful material that looks like paper but has unexpected properties. It makes our bag waterproof and almost unbreakable. To stiffen the Tyvek®, a thick cotton rope goes around the bag, rigidify the bottom and the sides, creates a front pocket, and ends in handles. Those two materials are both highly durable and recyclable. Inspired by Chinese Xuan Paper and developed during an artist residency in Shanghai, Arrimage is the match of swiss design and Chinese swiftness.
Co-design: Mélissa Meylan & Marie-Anne Le Corre
Limited Shanghai edition, plain Tyvek silk printed in gold
Photo credits: Get it Studio
Boum smart watering system was developed in collaboration with the young urban gardening startup from Bern «Boum». They came up with the wonderful idea of an autonomous watering system in order to help everybody have a splendid and vivid green space at home without much effort. They already had done market tests and prototypes when they came to me for a complete redesign. My contribution was to design a shelving system that would be practical, space-saving, optimized for shipment, and nice to look at.
It consists of a modular system based on the combination of on single planter and base with a frame. It allows the creation of various shapes, in order to fit everyone’s balcony.
Modular system in 3 configurations:
- hang on the balcony baluster (possibility to add a standard system)
- shelving system
- foot to lay on the ground
With this new watering system alimented by a solar panel, you only have to refill the tank every 3 weeks, the system takes care of the watering. There is also an application to get all types of data: temperature, level of water in the tank, and an online community to share gardening tips. All the electronics and piping are hidden to allow and nice customer experience.
https://boum.garden/home
A graceful mural lamp constructed out of spring steel. Its shape ensue form the material and its natural tension. Infinite uses the properties of two interlaced spring steel wires. Lightning slides naturally from right to left, guided by material tension. The entwining of the two wires defines its volume and function. A soft finger brush points lightning in the desired direction. Co-design: Marie-Anne Le Corre & Mélissa Meylan
Volta is a clock graphically based on the movement of the second hand, which is multiplied by sixty and makes the passing of time pleasantly visible. The shadow created by the second hand makes a surprising visual effect. That project has been developed in collaboration with the italian brand Alessi and exhibited during the Salone del mobile 2011 in Milan, Tokyo, Brussels and in Luxembourg.
Client : ECAL/Alessi | year: 2011
Mymic is a face mask. Thanks to its transparent and customizable design, our mask Mymic allows non-verbal language and fits each and every style and personality!
Mymic is a sustainable and efficient mask due to its bio-sourced materials and washable filters, it is also entirely recyclable.
Imagined as a complete experience, Mymic follows the user the whole day!
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Design: Camille Bechet, Florian Roualin, Olivier Reboullet, Carine Khalil & Laure Gremion
Project supported by Creative Hub Switzerland.
