Dog bowl inspired by the Meander building – A Fusion of craftsmanship and architecture
The Meander building is not just a stunning landmark near Helsinki's Taivallahti shoreline, but also a source of inspiration for creative objects like a dog bowl that merges architectural aesthetics with everyday functionality. The award-winning design house Made by Choice unveiled their vision for this unique project, blurring the boundaries between art and practicality.
Inspiration from Meander – A Journey that began with a watercolor
Made by Choice was thrilled to be part of the Meander project. The creation of the dog bowl started with a watercolor painting by architect Steven Holl, depicting the forms and layers of the Meander building. Holl’s office transformed the watercolor into a 3D model, which served as the foundation for Made by Choice's work.
The story of the bowl traces back to a concrete drinking fountain designed by Holl for the Meander courtyard, complementing the architecture. Collaborating with the Finnish design company Made by Choice, this architectural element was reimagined into a consumer product made of birch plywood. Available for purchase through Made by Choice’s website, the bowl is accessible to anyone.
As an anecdote, Made by Choice presented the first version of the dog bowl to Steven Holl’s New York office during a trade show visit. Since then, the design has been refined into a finished product featuring a metal insert that functions as a dog water bowl, enhancing its practicality.
Process and Materials – An Interpretation of Steven Holl’s design language
Steven Holl is renowned for projects like Helsinki’s Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art. His buildings reflect a strong connection to nature, light, and form, inspiring Made by Choice to preserve these elements on a smaller scale.
The initial prototype was a solid block, but the workshop at Halikko factory crafted a lighter, more practical version from birch plywood. Birch plywood was a natural material choice, highlighting both its intrinsic beauty and Made by Choice's meticulous craftsmanship.
The design of the bowl goes beyond functionality; it stands as a design object in its own right. The subtle layering visible in the turned birch plywood recalls Tapio Wirkkala’s plywood sculptures, where the layers become especially pronounced in concave shapes.
Steven Holl’s legacy of detail in Meander
The Meander project embodies Steven Holl's vision, brought to life through intricate details like the dog bowl and walnut wood lighting fixtures in the building's lobbies. (Note: Include a photo of these in the article.) These fixtures were actually conceived during the construction phase. During a visit to the building's topping-out ceremony last summer, Holl was inspired to design additional details, including the walnut light fixtures implemented by Made by Choice, which now grace every lobby in Meander.
Holl and Newil & Bau aimed to collaborate with local artisans to realize Holl’s design details, making the partnership with Made by Choice a natural fit for wooden products.
Collaboration with Newil & Bau – Creative and open-minded
The collaboration between Made by Choice and Newil & Bau was smooth and inspiring. The design house praised Newil & Bau’s high standards and open-minded approach, which enabled the integration of art and architecture into everyday objects.
The dog bowl, like many other details in Meander, embodies carefully planned, sustainable, and unique design that appeals to enthusiasts of both architecture and design.
