Maison&Objet 2015: Japanese studio Nendo has surrounded a lounge area with a cascade of 2,000 chocolate-coloured pipes for an installation at this year's Maison&Objet trade fair (+ slideshow).
Awarded this year's Designer of the Year title by Maison&Objet, Nendo was asked to create a lounge area at the Paris event.
The studio's Chocolatexture Lounge is surrounded by a grid of thin sticks that appear to have been dipped in chocolate.
A brown gradient is added to the top and the centre of the otherwise white aluminium poles, which vary in height to create the impression of "a rippling large molten chocolate wave".
The pipes encircle a three-sided white booth, designed as a place to relax at Maison&Objet as well as somewhere to present the studio's range of cube-shaped chocolates created for the event, which concludes today.
"The Chocolatexture Lounge is neither a cafe, nor an exhibition, nor an installation, but a place to experience and enjoy Nendo through the five senses," said the studio.
Some of the Tokyo-based studio's most-recognisable furniture designs – chosen for their "soft melting feel" – have been recreated in custom brown editions.
These include pieces such as the folded metal furniture for Desalto, the glass tables patterned with brush strokes for Glas Italia, and others for Emeco, Offecct and Moroso.
Dezeen Book of Interviews: Nendo founder Oki Sato features in our new book, which is on sale now
Sets of nine chocolates – created for the event by Nendo in unusual shapes to slightly alter the taste – are displayed in a glass vitrine and on sale as a limited edition of 400.
A small espresso machine is positioned beside the counter, offering coffee for those who purchase the confectionary.
The installation is located in Hall 8 of the Parc d'Expositions at Nord Villepinte, north-east Paris.
Founded by designer Oki Sato, Nendo has been one of the most prolific studios this past year, releasing products that ranged from shoes and umbrellas to lighting and modular office furniture.