UM Project's 'Patch' Series Proposes Gentle Technology for Smart Homes

François Chambard, founder of UM Project, presents the 'Patch' series at VenturaFuture during Milan Design Week 2018, on view at FuturDome until April 22. The interconnected furniture line includes a recycled plastic bench with solar panels and battery storage, a blue enameled porcelain pantry with power outlet and charging port, a red lightbox commode with moiré-printed panels, a phenolic cardboard wardrobe with integrated stereo system, and a Wi-Fi antenna shaped like a dreamcatcher in amber tubes and gold wires. These hybrids of furniture and solar-powered devices form a micro-circuit providing electricity, light, and data. Chambard describes Patch as 'a manifesto for a gentle technology that celebrates its poetry and beauty, beyond mere functionality.' The collection embodies a third way between high-tech connectivity and handmade authenticity, blending digital and analog, wood desks with sensors that record conversations, and interactive wall coverings with organic textures. The project aims to make smart home technology familiar and playful, transforming invisible home automation networks into tangible, friendly partners.