Meme by streng
Meme stool by streng is more than a functional stool, it is a sculptural arrangement. It is made of a continuous surface of aluminum sheet via a handmade metal-turning process. When stacked or grouped, Meme becomes a rhythmic pattern, with positive & negative shapes that mirror one another. The user can create sculptural arrangements, & with interlocking top & bottom components, multiple stools stack safely. The design is inspired by chairs used in public spaces; more specifically, those stacked as displays in the windows of Milan’s cafes after hours. The creators used a metal turning process to transform aluminum sheet into a continuous surface of aluminum to create Meme (see above video).
History
Chris Streng & Daniel Streng began their careers operating separate studios in the United States, and initially worked primarily with clients in Milan, Tokyo, & New York. In the late '90s, the two came together to found Streng, which may seem like an obvious choice, but the brothers’ collaboration was actually accidental. Design event organizers began soliciting work from the two separately and as a pair. Then clients began calling for the other brother. This happened so often that Chris & Daniel realized, “We’re perceived as a team—it makes sense to function as one”.
Today, the brothers have assembled a dynamic group of designers whose impressive talents have grown the company to be the accomplished firm that it is. The firm has offices in New York and Chicago.
Chris Streng
Chris has always been interested in the relationship between objects & emotional response. He uses his understanding of our collective cultural lexicon to create opportunities for emotional reaction between person & object. Chris studied architecture & product design at Domus Academy in Milan, Italy, industrial design & interior architecture at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, as well as anthropology & human geography at Marquette University.
Daniel Streng
Daniel believes that the goal of design is to solve human problems—questioning everything from the premise to the business model. Interested in disruptive aesthetics, Daniel is careful not to be disruptive to the extent that selfhood is lost. By testing the limits of objects’ identities, he discovers their key elements. Daniel studied art and design at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.
The latest project of streng is A NARRATIVE. The creative duo said for their latest work, "As designers, storytelling is part of who we are. We constantly share experiences, stories, and observations to explain the emotional relationships between people, objects, and their environments. We want to share these stories with you. A Narrative is a view into the minds of streng. This project is a closer look at our design team’s personalities, inspirations, and observations". Each week, a different designer will share an image and the story of their personal connection with it. Sign up to receive a monthly limited edition postcard with a story from the founders, Chris Streng and Dan Streng.
