Dezeen's Christmas gift guide 2019: gifts for architects and designers
To kick off our Christmas gift guide series this year, we've compiled 15 presents ideal for architects and designers. They include sculptural jewellery, Bauhaus Dessau mini models and a pen made from Nespresso pods.
Tangente by Nomos
Nomos Glashütte has updated its Tangente watch, 25 years after it was released. The hand-wound watch has a midnight-blue dial, complemented by velour leather straps and a sapphire-crystal glass case.
The timepiece comes in two sizes that have slightly different accents. Gold type and dials offset the blue hue in the smaller version, which has a 35 millimetre diameter. The other watch face measures 38 millimetres and has silver details.
Men's jewellery by Alex Orso
Choose from 32 designs of cuffs, pendants and rings that London jewellery brand Alex Orso has created for men.
The brand drew on a wide range of influences, including minimal architecture and nature, to design the sculptural creations. They are cast in sterling silver or brass and then plated in 22-karat gold, rhodium or ruthenium. Many designs are available in different colours and finishes, and can also be engraved to add a personal touch.
Shop the Men's Jewellery collection now ›
Coffee Table Book by Bernd Gruber
Interior design firm Bernd Gruber spent a weekend in a hut while compiling this monograph detailing 10 of its residential projects. Set in locations such as Kitzbühel, Munich, Vienna, South Tyrol, Berlin, Grisons and Los Angeles, designs range from cosy cabins to sleek minimal interiors.
Drawing on the studio's aesthetic, the chunky book is covered in natural linen making it a decorative item suitable for any architect or designer's coffee table.
Mouro Lamp by Patricia Perez
Spanish designer Patricia Perez's rotating Mouro Lamp for Case Furniture is a disc-shaped LED light held in a powder-coated steel frame, and is available in either black or white.
The light is suited to a range of spaces, from bed sides and desks, to outdoor areas. It comes with a dimmer that offers three different levels of illumination, depending on the task in hand, and is charged by a USB.
Bauhaus Dessau Mini by Chisel & Mouse
With this year marking the 100th anniversary of the Bauhaus school, it would be apt to gift the mini Bauhaus-building models by Chisel & Mouse.
The miniatures detail different elements of the Bauhaus Dessau building in Germany, which was designed by Walter Gropius and was home to the influential design school from 1925 to 1932. Options include a seven-inch-tall plaster model of the stair block, complete with the raised signage and gridded windows, and the entrance steps, with red doorways and canopy.
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Moka by David Chipperfield
The Moka is British architect David Chipperfield's contemporary version of the classic Italian coffee maker designed by Alfonso Bialetti in the 1930s.
Created for the Italian design brand Alessi, it still has the die-cast aluminium and faceted body but with a simple profile, a flat lid and a sleek handle.
JDWA Lamp by Menu
A large opal-glass bulb balances atop a stone base in this design, created by Jonas Wagell for Danish brand Menu. The bottom is available in either concrete, marble or travertine, and accented with large bronze switches.
New-life by Môt
These casual shoes by Vietnamese footwear brand Môt, which translates as one, are ideal for moving between meetings, office life and socialising after hours.
The trainers come in two styles; either as the lace-ups called New-life, or slip-ons called Daily-life. Each has a colourful leather or canvas upper featuring decorative stitching.
Wellbeing by Ilse Crawford and Nanimarquina
Available in muted cream and brown tones, the Wellbeing rugs and cushions by Ilse Crawford and Nanimarquina are the ideal accent for the home of the design-savvy.
The textiles are made from materials such as Afghan wool, nettle, jute, linen, Tussar silk, and raw wool and cotton. They were all sourced near to production and are never bleached or dyed.
CK01 and SK01 by Veark
These stainless steel knives produced by Copenhagen brand Veark include the traditional chef's knife, CK01, and a santoku knife SK01, which draws on the Japanese tool of the same name.
The main difference between the two is that the balance point of the santoku is placed behind the centre point, to enable a different type of cutting motion.
Caran d'Ache Nespresso ballpoint pen
Pen brand Caran d'Ache teamed up with Nespresso to turn its recycled espresso-pods into an aluminium ballpoint pen. Available in a limited edition, the green pen takes its hue from Nespresso's Master Origin India capsules.
Shop Caran d'Ache Nespresso ballpoint pen now ›
Minimal Collection by QWSTION
Swiss bag brand QWSTION has made a waterproof and durable bag from banana plant fibres organically cultivated in the highlands of the Philippines. Called Bananatex, it launched at this year's Milan design week with a white, minimal series of bags.
Designs include the small waist or over-the-shoulder Hip Pouch, and the taller Roll Pack and Zip Pacs that have a merino wool felt-lined sleeve for storing laptops. Each is finished with zippers and straps that are recyclable.
Composition Three Six Five by Czar Catstick
London printmaker Czar Catstick has laid colourful shapes over a blocky monochrome backdrop to create the Composition Three Six Five. The design is printed onto canvas, and is available in six different sizes from Saatchi Art in a limited run.
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Beoplay H4 by Bang & Olufsen
Bang & Olufsen's Beoplay H4 headphones last for up to 19 hours on a single charge, allowing users to enjoy music on the move for long stints. Complementing this feature, the ears and head strap are covered in leather which will become beautifully patinated with plenty of use.
Bottle Salt and Pepper Grinder by Norm Architects
Danish practice Norm Architects has used carbon and off-white exteriors to differentiate between these bottle-like salt and pepper grinders.
The duo are capped with a beech wood stopper and contain a ceramic grinding mechanism inside, which means they can also be used for spices and grains, nuts, seeds and even dried fruits.
Shop Bottle Salt and Pepper Grinder now ›
Note: entries in Dezeen's 2019 Christmas gift guides have been paid for or include affiliate links.