OS ∆ OOS
Oskar Peet, a Vancouver-based industrial designer and co-founder of OS ∆ OOS, along with his partner and co-founder, Sophie Mensen, who is based in the Netherlands, explores the essential relationship between light, form, and function. Their work is driven by a deep curiosity about how objects interact with their environment and the people who use them. Characterized by a rigorous approach to concept and meticulous attention to detail, their designs transcend the purely utilitarian, inviting a deeper engagement with the objects that surround us. Peet’s design sensibilities were honed at the renowned Design Academy Eindhoven, a leading institution known for its forward-thinking approach and emphasis on design as a catalyst for material, social, environmental, and critical innovation. This formative experience instilled in Peet and Mensen a deep understanding of design's potential to shape not only form but also meaning. Mensen's contributions and perspective are integral to the collaborative process at OS ∆ OOS, though details of her specific design background and expertise are not mentioned in the provided text.
The Matrix floor lamp exemplifies Peet and Mensen’s ability to translate architectural inspiration into compelling form. Originating from a collaboration with Ace & Tate for their Eindhoven flagship store, the Matrix floor lamp reflects the store's design, which, along with the Matrix series itself, draws inspiration from the iconic Klokgebouw. This historic building, a former Philips factory designed by architect A. Broekert and a landmark in Eindhoven since 1928, served as a key influence for OS ∆ OOS. The Matrix floor lamp echoes the industrial aesthetic and architectural details of the Klokgebouw, its customizable grid structure and integrated light source creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, and showcasing their ability to imbue objects with a sense of place and historical context. A table version of the Matrix light is also produced by FontanaArte, a historically significant Italian design company renowned for its innovative use of materials and lasting impact on the world of furniture, lighting, and object design.
Perspective no. 2 delves into the manipulation of light and spatial relationships. This work explores how the viewer's perspective influences the perception of volume and depth. Light-filtering foils, combined with glass surfaces, create moments of varying density and transparency, offering a unique visual experience from every angle. The piece is composed of reduced forms, creating simple yet self-supporting volumes. The use of three light-filtering elements allows for multiple variations in the way light interacts with the surfaces. Rotating discs invite the user to actively participate in shaping the light, blurring the lines between object and environment. This exploration of light and perspective, central to OS ∆ OOS's work, served as a crucial stepping stone in the development of the SYZYGY Series.
The SYZYGY Series, directly inspired by the principles explored in the Perspective series, translates the celestial phenomenon of a straight-line configuration of three celestial bodies into a series of evocative lights. Just as a syzygy involves the interplay of light and shadow, these lights feature three rotating discs that filter and adjust the light source, mimicking the effects of a transit, occultation, and eclipse. The constant light source is modulated by the subtle rotation of these discs, creating a dynamic and atmospheric lighting experience. This series reflects Peet and Mensen's ability to draw inspiration from both the macrocosm of the universe and the microcosm of human interaction with light.
The Keystone chair, produced by Please Wait to be Seated, explores the principle that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Inspired by the structural integrity of Roman bridges, where individual elements achieve balance through their interconnected relationships, the Keystone chair reimagines this concept in a contemporary context. The chair's design abstracts and reassembles the three fundamental components of a Roman bridge: the spanners (connecting the bridge to its foundation), the building blocks, and the crucial keystone that completes the arch. In the Keystone chair, these elements are represented by the concrete backrest, the rubber "keystone" element, and the ceramic seat. Remarkably, these components are not physically connected; their combined weight and precise interaction create a self-supporting structure. The original concrete, silicone, and ceramic version has been reimagined in collaboration with Please Wait to be Seated, now available in a variety of colours and Kvadrat textiles, offering a softer, upholstered iteration of this ingeniously balanced design.
The Primary Fluorescents series (circle, square, and triangle) plays with pre-conceived notions of material and form. These lights, whose shapes are derived from primary geometric forms, are constructed from aluminum using a lost-wax casting method that preserves the fine details of the original foam prototypes. The aluminum, finished to resemble stone or concrete, creates a fascinating juxtaposition of lightness and perceived heaviness, mirroring the size-to-weight ratio of marble—a nod to the initial foam inspiration. The series highlights OS ∆ OOS's inventive approach to materials and their ability to create objects that challenge our perceptions.
The Colouring Table, constructed from concrete and aluminum, further explores the interplay of contrasting materials and physical properties. Its seemingly precarious balance, with the weight visually concentrated on one side, creates a sense of tension and intrigue. The lightweight table surface, finished with a hard anodized coating (available in black, silver, and gold), adds to the overall dynamic and creates a stable construction.
Peet and Mensen’s DINNER FOR 1 & 2 project for Schloss Hollenegg, a meditation on the rituals of dining, showcases their ability to imbue even everyday objects with meaning and narrative. Created for the exhibition-themed "rituals around the table," this project reflects on the historical timeline of Schloss Hollenegg from 1100 to the present day, a period that witnessed the development of many of the table manners we still observe. The centrepiece of the installation consists of a dining table and accompanying chairs. Two head chairs, named "Dinner for One" and "Dinner for Two," offer a contemporary interpretation of traditional head chairs. These chairs, constructed from layered sheets of aluminum that appear almost draped, represent a dialogue between minimalism and monumentality, while also subtly referencing the power dynamics inherent in dining rituals. The project explores the idea that "eating is aggressive by nature," and that table manners are essentially a system of taboos designed to prevent violence. By stripping away unnecessary decoration, they focus on the essential elements that convey context and meaning. DINNER FOR 1 & 2 has been acquired by Schloss Hollenegg for Design for its permanent collection, a testament to its artistic merit and its contribution to the Schloss' mission of supporting emerging designers through its residency program, exhibitions, workshops, and symposia.
OS ∆ OOS, the collaborative work of Oskar Peet and Sophie Mensen, has partnered with leading brands such as FontanaArte, Please Wait to be Seated, and Umbra-Shift on commissioned works. Their designs have also been showcased at notable international fairs, including Design Miami/Basel, PAD London and Paris, Collective Fair in New York, Fog Fair San Francisco, Design Days Dubai, and Collectible in Brussels. Furthermore, OS ∆ OOS's work has been featured in museum exhibitions at institutions such as the Van Abbe Museum in Eindhoven, Mac’s Grand-Hornu in Belgium, The Design Museum in London, and Villa Noailles in Hyères. The Vitra Design Museum has also acquired pieces for its permanent collection, recognizing the significance and impact of their design philosophy. Oskar Peet and Sophie Mensen continue to advance the field of industrial design, shaping the way we interact with the objects around us.
