Introducing MELT, FAT and TANK
24 Hours in Shanghai
We celebrate Tom Dixon’s extraordinary objects and best-selling families.
Obsessed with the idea of creating an imperfect, organic and naturalistic lighting object, MELT was created. Made from a process of blow-moulding and vacuum metallisation, it creates a mesmerizing hot blown glass effect when on and transforms into a mirrored asymmetric orb when off.
Our FAT upholstery chair range is designed to hug the body and allows for multiple sitting positions. The extreme simplicity of the components is a testament to form following function, whilst maintaining a humorous silhouette and a reductionist aesthetic. Quite a balancing act!
TANK takes its sculptural cue from the functional shapes and volumes of scientific glassware. Minimal yet decorative for a multiplicity of purposes of drinking, pouring, storing and displaying food and drink, the range forms bold building blocks of table-top architecture.
story.tomdixon.net/24shanghai
MELT: We found a misshapen, white plastic lamp moulding in the factory. We decided to get that moulding metallised and we were shocked at how extraordinary it looked, particularly when we tried a new technique of semi-transparent mirror coating. You could see through the reflective surface and view the amazing patterns created by the light bouncing off the internal curved surfaces. Our factory told us that we couldn’t use this shape as it belonged to some Swedish designers, but luckily it turned out that those designers were friends of mine called FRONT, so I got in touch with them, licensed the shape and the result is our most successful lamp ever. And the moral of this story is that sometimes not designing is the best design of all. – Tom Dixon
FAT: I do think that ‘Fatness’ has become a negative word, but in the world of upholstery it has to be a positive. So when we were looking for a series of pieces of furniture for our new headquarters restaurant – The Coal Office – in London, it felt like a good moment to celebrate plumpness, generosity and comfort, so we started with the most fattest, simplest and most reduced of basic shapes inspired by Frankfurters, inspired by balloon art and inspired by just general cuddliness. – Tom Dixon
TANK: So the cone, the cylinder and the sphere have been recognised for thousands of years - alongside the cube - as the building blocks that allowed most other shapes to be constructed. Even Archimedes demanded that these shapes be placed on his tomb. Now I don’t really want that on my grave, but these shapes have been really good to me and we use them in as un-complicated a way as possible on the Tank collection of glassware, and despite the basic shapes being so common, it still feels like you can re-organise them in a way that is fresh and contemporary. – Tom Dixon
Tank Low Ball Glasses Black x2
In Black, Tank sets a mysterious and indulgent tone to our glassware collection. Created through a technically demanding fusion of clear and solid black glass, Tank is mouth-blown into the graphic forms for timeless table top architecture.
The products are hand made and variations will occur between items. Colour may change over time due to the character of the material. Suitable for use with food. Always rinse before use. Hand-wash in warm soapy water and dry with a soft cloth. Not dish-washer safe. Do not use abrasive agents as this will damage the surface.
Each Tank Short Glass has a capacity of 200mL.
Tank Wine Glasses Black x2
In Black, Tank sets a mysterious and indulgent tone to our glassware collection. Created through a technically demanding fusion of clear and solid black glass, Tank is mouth-blown into the graphic forms for timeless table top architecture.
Each wine glass is hand made and variations will occur between items. Colour may change over time due to the character of the material. Suitable for use with food. Always rinse before use. Hand-wash in warm soapy water and dry with a soft cloth. Not dish-washer safe. Do not use abrasive agents as this will damage the surface.
Tank Champagne Glasses Black x2
In Black, Tank sets a mysterious and indulgent tone to our glassware collection. Created through a technically demanding fusion of clear and solid black glass, Tank is mouth-blown into the graphic forms for timeless table top architecture.
Each champagne glass is hand made and variations will occur between items. Colour may change over time due to the character of the material. Suitable for use with food. Always rinse before use. Hand-wash in warm soapy water and dry with a soft cloth. Not dish-washer safe. Do not use abrasive agents as this will damage the surface.
Tank High Ball Glasses Black x2
In Black, Tank sets a mysterious and indulgent tone to our glassware collection. Created through a technically demanding fusion of clear and solid black glass, Tank is mouth-blown into the graphic forms for timeless table top architecture.
Each high ball glass is hand made and variations will occur between items. Colour may change over time due to the character of the material. Suitable for use with food. Always rinse before use. Hand-wash in warm soapy water and dry with a soft cloth. Not dish-washer safe. Do not use abrasive agents as this will damage the surface.
Tank Whiskey Decanter Black
In Black, Tank sets a mysterious and indulgent tone to our glassware collection. Created through a technically demanding fusion of clear and solid black glass, Tank is mouth-blown into the graphic forms for timeless table top architecture.
Each decanter is hand made and variations will occur between items. Colour may change over time due to the character of the material. Suitable for use with food. Always rinse before use. Hand-wash in warm soapy water and dry with a soft cloth. Not dish-washer safe. Do not use abrasive agents as this will damage the surface.
Tank Whiskey Decanter has a capacity of 1L.