Linea by Jim Hannon-Tan | Made By Pen
Inspired by Oscar Niemeyer’s National Congress building, Jim Hannon-Tan’s Linea is all about tabletop architecture. Its form is like a miniature streetscape when the number of different interchangeable components are brought together. Dishes cantilever and cups stand tall while the tray provides a foundation for the customised configurations and lengths.
Made By Pen became aware of the gap in the market for a solution to house bottles and accessories in wet areas. Previously, architects and interior designers had to rely on custom solutions. From the product, the customer should get a long-lasting, multi-functional, clean, and quality piece to serve at minimum, in wet spaces. Upon further consideration, it became obvious Linea would have uses in other parts of the home. Wherever housing small bits was an issue, this product would be a viable solution. Another requirement in the design process was affordability without sacrificing the elegance of a custom solution.
Linea is functional art, serving as a form of tabletop architecture made with clean lines and strong surfaces. Inspired by Oscar Niemeyer’s National Congress, Linea by Jim Hannon-Tan is an elegant answer to organisation and a welcome addition to any room. Costs are kept low because Linea takes advantage of pre-existing extrusions, removing the need for tooling. The aluminum tray is power-coated in varying colours and can be cut to specific lengths. The cups and dishes are interchangeable and form a customised miniature streetscape when brought together. Refined, well resolved for the user Linea has presence whether in its bare form or when adorned with bits.
The distinguishing feature of Linea is to integrate naturally into the space for which it is designed. It contributes to the feel of a space, never detracting. While many see this type of product as typically unremarkable, Hannon-Tan’s reimagining of design built it into a piece of functional art. It is able to easily accommodate anything from soaps and sponges to tech devices and pens, therefore integrating into modern living. Linea’s appeal and utility are magnified by its versatility in product design which makes it more desired homeowners and interior decorators. For specifiers, it is also available as a custom option.
Form
Linea’s form is refined, memorable, and highly functional all at once. Whether it is sitting unadorned or in use next to a kitchen sink, it stands out as an artistic and clean design. It is like a miniature streetscape when all parts are brought together. The basic form of the Linea follows a tray, cups, and dish, all of which combine in a functional and aesthetically pleasing for the user. No matter the ordinary function of this piece, its form is sleek, modern, and memorable. From hallway to office, Linea complements any space.
Function
From its original design inception, Linea was created with maximum function for the end user in mind. Linea’s uniquely versatile form makes the piece relevant to both home and workplace spaces. There is not a room where Linea will not fit. It is easy to use with an intuitive, clean design. Linea advances the user experience by transforming the tabletop organiser into a stylish piece of art with cross-functionality. The adaptable components of dishes, cantilever cups, and tray make it perfect for everything from sponges to scissors.
Safety
There is little to no risk in the use of Linea. All design aspects are made to keep the user safe. The extrusion tray has curved edges, silicone feet to prevent tabletop scratches, and is easily cleaned to keep any germs or bacteria at a minimum. All standards and regulations are followed in the production of Linea. Its refined and highly functional design is also safe for users of all ages.
Sustainability
Linea was birthed from the idea of using what is already in existence, the tray an extrusion readily available. Silicone was initially selected due to its durability and food grade qualities however as there are few systems in place to recycle, new additions of a clay range, and recycled plastic to replace silicone pieces are in design process. The plastic clips used in the metallics range are already recyclable. By producing pieces with a benchmark of good design (quality, impactful and relevant), Pen encourages longevity in the purchase decision, our customers ‘buy once and buy well.’
Quality
Linea boasts an Australian design and engineering team with world class credentials and manufacturing partners worldwide. Manufacturers were rigorously selected by Pen to ensure quality production. Throughout the design and manufacture of Linea, direct consumer feedback was constantly considered. Assembly and quality control takes place in Melbourne for every unit produced. The aluminium tray is power-coated with several colour options and made to last. The goal of any product from Pen is longevity along with good design and quality. It is well-suited to many spaces and its quality means it can be hardworking for years to come.
Commerciality
Linea is highly commercial with the flexibility to be updated with new trays, cups, and addons. Thanks to its flexibility, it can always remain on trend. In addition, the adaptable styles and colours help it appeal to the individual user’s aesthetic and preferences. There is no tooling required even as the piece evolves with fresh colour options. The return value for Pen is in brand value, as this consumer-facing piece has the opportunity to become popular and definitive for the brand. The company also plans to collaborate with prominent Australian designers including a future design with Jim Hannon-Tan.
Materiality
The modernist form of Linea was developed with two distinct material palettes. The first palette is high-end in glamour with an Art Deco style. This mixes components of copper, brass, aluminium, stainless steel, and Carrera marble. The second is a modern mix of anodised aluminium and silicone available in black, white, shark-fin grey, harbour-mist grey, teal, cherry red and coral. Custom designed configurations saw the addition of cherry red with a gold tray for a Beijing design show, and coral was introduced to reflect the 2019 Pantone colour trend.
Versatility in Spaces
One should not overlook the versatility and value of Linea. The silicone retail set sells for under $100 (inc gst) but can be used for years. It is user friendly with little to no instruction required for immediate usage. Linea is compact with a small footprint in a space which makes it easy to place on a desk, on the back of a sink, on a side table, and more. More than anything, this product integrates naturally into the space for which its design.
Innovation
Linea was fashioned at a point in time where alternatives were expensive custom designs. It was inventive to offer a solution, totally customiseable, but readymade. Linea is functional, beautiful, and evolved. It is a flexible piece that can serve multiple functions throughout its lifetime in the home or office. The crisp form and intelligent execution of this piece stands above others on the market. Made by Penstrive to capture the elegance of simplicity in our work. Balancing innovation with creative flair and translating this to its simplest form, in order to create unambiguous beautiful designed pieces.