A true design icon is coming back to life.
Originally designed by Verner Panton in 1974, the Panton Cubes are a modular construction system that turns simple geometric elements into animals, sculptures and abstract forms. Reissued by Vitra in collaboration with Verner Panton Design AG, the new edition celebrates the playful, imaginative side of design. Available as kits to build a duck, flamingo, giraffe or cat — or anything else imagination can create — the Panton Cubes sit beautifully between design, play and sculpture.
They will be presented during the London Design Festival 2026, taking place from tomorrow to 20 September, bringing Verner Panton’s timeless language of colour, form and experimentation back into the contemporary design scene.
A beautiful reminder that great design can be serious, playful and open-ended at the same time.
A SHORT INTERVIEW WITH DREW SESKUNAS
I AM...
I am Drew Sekunas.
I DO...
I am an architect and designer of objects and public sculptures and aBteacher.
IMAGINATION TO ME IS...
Is that one absolutely unique thing we all have to give the world, and what makes our shared experience of reality so wonderful.
MY FAVOURITE OBJECT IS...
a wooden boat that my son and I are currently building for our cat (1/2 way done!).
MY FAVOURITE COLOUR IS...
Blue/green.
MY FAVOURITE 3 IG PROFILES
@duddhaus furniture gallery/collective in Philadelphia that highlights studios that use design as an expressive medium and has also become like a cultural community center in the city. They host events like zine releases, a book club dedicated to Italian Modernism and more traditional design shows - they hosted a solo show of my work in December and have a new show opening tonight of work by James Bouchet opening tonight.
@landalexandra Alexandra Lange has been one of my favorite writers on design and public space for a long time, she has a self-effacing yet hyper intelligent way of unpacking what public spaces like playgrounds, skateparks or shopping malls mean to us.
@nomianyc is my wife's fashion brand and store, she is the most inspiring person, my greatest collaborator and biggest supporter of my work and I am her biggest fan :)
See portrait attached, this is in my workshop with a portrait of a cat by my mother and a photo-collage of mountains by my father.
HANDMADE LAMPS BY SAW.Earth
Handmade Lamps is a series of handmade lamps by SAW.Earth, made from Nepalese wax paper and cedar wood. Created by architect and designer Drew Seskunas, the lamps first debuted at NOMIA NYC in Spring 2025. Their simple sculptural forms highlight the warmth and natural texture of the materials, turning light into a quiet, tactile object. A beautiful example of how handmade lighting, natural materials and contemporary design can come together in a deeply poetic way.
TOBA BY AWE ANTWERP x CONTEKST
Toba is a sculptural coffee table created by Belgian interior architecture studio Contekst in collaboration with AWE, a design platform focused on bringing a sense of wonder to everyday objects.
Inspired by the volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote and the vision of artist and architect César Manrique, Toba combines a translucent polyester shell with a natural aluminium base. Its playful, organic form incorporates two levels, integrated seating cut-outs and hidden storage, while five recessed swivel wheels make it easy to move. Developed through ceramic models and 3D-printed prototypes, Toba is produced in a limited edition of just ten pieces. A tactile and playful example of collectible design, where functionality, craftsmanship and imagination come together.
JOOST BENTHEM'S STONE ICE CREAMS
What if an ice cream were made of stone?
Dutch artist Joost Benthem explores this playful idea in Infinite Ice Creams, a series of sculptures made from ordinary rocks and pebbles. With nothing more than a wooden stick, each stone is transformed into an unexpected ice cream.
Simple, humorous and poetic, Benthem’s stone ice creams invite us to look at familiar materials differently. A rock becomes a treat, nature becomes sculpture, and the ordinary suddenly feels extraordinary.
Joost Benthem’s work shows that sometimes, all art needs is a small change in perspective.
RUMEE 220: A PORTABLE LAMP BY GABRIEL TAN FOR LOUIS POULSEN
The Rumee 220 Portable Lamp, designed by Gabriel Tan for Louis Poulsen, combines sculptural form with soft, functional light. Inspired by the flowing curves of a broad-brimmed hat and by shapes found in nature, its organic silhouette makes it an expressive object for contemporary interiors.
Cordless and easy to carry, Rumee 220 provides both focused light and a soft 360-degree ambient glow, with three dimming levels. Its rechargeable, replaceable battery offers up to five hours of light at full brightness.
A playful piece of portable lighting and contemporary design, created to move with you - from a reading corner to a children’s room, indoors or outdoors.
Photo credits: Louis Poulsen
MUNKEGAARD SCHOOL DESKS BY ARNE JACOBSEN AT SIGMAR LONDON
In 1956, Danish architect and designer Arne Jacobsen designed the furniture for Munkegaard School in Gentofte, Denmark, creating a complete environment in which architecture, interiors and furniture were conceived as one. The Munkegaard school desk and chair, produced by Fritz Hansen, reflect Jacobsen’s unmistakable functionalist approach: moulded plywood, tubular steel and clever details designed specifically for children and everyday learning. The desk features a practical storage space beneath its green Formica top, while the lightweight chair is shaped from a single piece of plywood.
Today, Sigmar London presents vintage examples of these iconic school desks, preserving a remarkable piece of Danish mid-century design history.
More than school furniture, the Munkegaard desk is a lesson in how thoughtful design can make everyday spaces more functional, comfortable and beautiful.
KINDERSPITAL ZURICH BY HERZOG & DE MEURON
Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the new University Children’s Hospital in Zürich is an inspiring example of child-centred healthcare architecture.
The complex brings together two complementary buildings: an acute-care hospital and a research and teaching facility. Inside the hospital, streets, courtyards and small wooden “houses” create a miniature town designed to make children and families feel more oriented, comfortable and connected to nature.
With 114 individual patient rooms, abundant daylight, greenery and a thoughtful use of wood, the project puts wellbeing at the heart of architecture. Both buildings have achieved Platinum certification for sustainable construction. A powerful reminder that children’s architecture can be functional, sustainable and deeply human.
Photo credits: Herzog & de Meuron / Maris Mezulis
EMER TUMILTY
Artist and designer Emer Tumilty explores the beauty of overlooked materials, transforming remnants and discarded elements into unexpected, tactile objects.
Her Remnants series is a striking example of material-led design: fragments, leftovers and imperfect pieces become the starting point for a collection that celebrates texture, colour and the unique character of each material. Rather than hiding imperfections, Tumilty makes them the protagonist. The result is sustainable contemporary design that invites us to look at waste differently - and to discover new possibilities in what remains.
PAPER TUBE CHAIR BY DHAMMADA COLLECTIVE
What if waste could become beautiful, functional furniture? The Paper Tube Chair by Dhammada Collective is an open-source furniture design made from discarded cardboard tubes and rope.
Inspired by traditional construction techniques, the chair uses 15 recycled paper tubes, cut like bamboo and held together with a single figure-eight lashing in bright red rope. The tubes can be replaced individually, while their hollow interiors offer clever storage for pencils, notebooks or small objects.
A smart example of sustainable furniture design, the Paper Tube Chair transforms an everyday waste material into a playful, contemporary object - and shows how good design can be accessible, circular and full of character.
WATERPLOPLS
Waterplops is an innovative children's swimwear brand designed to make every water adventure more comfortable and fun. Its signature swimming goggles feature a soft fabric headband instead of the traditional silicone strap, making them easy to put on and take off without pulling or tangling children's hair.
Comfortable, practical, and thoughtfully designed, Waterplops goggles encourage little ones to enjoy the water with confidence, whether at the pool, the beach, or during swimming lessons.
Combining smart design, high-quality materials, and playful style, Waterplops reimagines an everyday essential for young swimmers and their families.
MULTIPLIÉ
Multiplié is a French design house creating poetic, interactive objects that transform everyday technology into meaningful experiences. Blending innovation, craftsmanship, and imagination, the brand designs electronic objects that are both functional and emotionally engaging.
From playful creations for families to artistic connected objects, every Multiplié product is designed to bring a sense of wonder into everyday life. With a unique approach to technology and design, the brand celebrates creativity while reimagining the relationship between people and the objects they use every day.
All the visuals are by Benjamin Rossignol.
SULO
Éditions Sulo is a French independent brand that transforms traditional puzzles into contemporary design objects. Working with emerging and established artists, each limited-edition collection celebrates bold illustration, creativity, and mindful moments through beautifully crafted puzzles and lifestyle products. Designed and produced mainly in France using responsibly sourced materials, Éditions Sulo combines sustainable production, artistic collaboration, and modern aesthetics, making every piece a collectible for design lovers and puzzle enthusiasts alike.
SARAH MAFFÉÏS
French illustrator and furniture designer Sarah Mafféïs, based in Luxembourg, creates poetic illustrations that blend minimalist aesthetics, interior design, and everyday moments. Her distinctive style is defined by clean lines, soft color palettes, and carefully balanced compositions that celebrate the beauty of ordinary life. From editorial projects to art prints and collaborations, Sarah's work reflects her background in industrial design while drawing inspiration from design history and contemporary living. Her illustrations bring warmth, calm, and timeless elegance to every space.
LITTLECUBES
Designed in collaboration with occupational therapists, LittleCubes uses an interactive cube to visually guide children through routines, making the process of developing their autonomy more engaging, playful, and rewarding while improving the quality of life of their families.
ROBERT WUN’S CHILDSPLAY COLLECTION
At Paris Haute Couture Week, Robert Wun transformed childhood memories into wearable art with his latest Childsplay collection. The Hong Kong designer reimagined nostalgia through sculptural silhouettes, oversized bows, plush toys and, most strikingly, dramatic balloon-inspired creations that blurred the line between fashion and performance.
The finale featured couture looks wrapped in clusters of customized balloons, turning a familiar childhood symbol into a bold statement of contemporary luxury. Fragile, playful and visually unforgettable, the collection celebrates imagination while showcasing the limitless possibilities of haute couture.
For designers, creatives and fashion enthusiasts, Robert Wun’s latest show is a reminder that the most powerful inspiration often comes from the simplest memories.
RICHARD ROGERS TALKING BUILDINGS: A CHILDREN’S BOOK BY AB ROGERS
The book Richard Rogers Talking Buildings by Ab Rogers and published by Owl & Dog Playbooks, introduces young readers to the fascinating world of architecture through curiosity, imagination and storytelling.
With a playful and accessible approach, the book invites children to discover how buildings are designed, how they communicate with the people who use them, and how architecture shapes our everyday lives. Through engaging illustrations and simple explanations, Richard Rogers encourages a new generation to observe and understand the spaces around them.
A beautiful introduction to architecture for curious minds, Talking Buildings transforms learning into an inspiring journey - showing that every building has a story to tell.
CHELE PUZZLE BY MICHELE DE LUCCHI FOR DANESE MILANO
Chele Puzzle, designed by Michele De Lucchi for Danese Milano, transforms the designer's unmistakable sketches into a playful composition game inspired by the animal world. Made from durable 2 mm recycled cardboard, the puzzle invites children and adults alike to mix and match colorful anatomical elements, creating both real and imaginary creatures. Rooted in Danese Milano's long-standing tradition of educational design, Chele Puzzle encourages creativity, free thinking and hands-on exploration through simple, open-ended play.
With its graphic language, sustainable materials and timeless appeal, Chele Puzzle is more than a game - it's a beautifully designed object that celebrates imagination, making it a perfect addition to any contemporary home or creative space.
BOBBY BY ABOUT STEK
Meet Bobby, the newest member of the About Stek family - a floor lamp that's anything but ordinary.
Designed to sit, stand or even "shake a paw," Bobby playfully blurs the line between lighting and object. Its expressive, dog-inspired silhouette brings character to any interior while offering light exactly where it's needed. Behind its seemingly effortless design lies a meticulous development process. Every detail, connection and component has been carefully refined until the About Stek team was completely satisfied with the result. The outcome is a versatile, beautifully crafted lamp that adapts to different positions and spaces with ease. We're already in love with this loyal four-legged companion - and we have a feeling you will be too.
Photography by Barbra Verbij.
DISGUISE SERIES 00 BY ES-TO
Disguise Series 00 by ES-TO is a contemporary design project that explores the concept of identity through form, material, and transformation. Blurring the boundaries between clothing and sculpture, the series reflects on how garments can act as both protection and expression. Through experimental silhouettes and a refined visual language, ES-TO creates pieces that challenge perception and invite interpretation. The result is a minimalist yet powerful aesthetic that resonates with themes of concealment, presence, and individuality. At Unduetrestella, we are drawn to projects like Disguise Series 00 that merge conceptual design with emotional depth, offering a fresh perspective on contemporary visual culture and creative research.