Late in 2014 the studio was contacted by MCO projects in Dublin asking us to participate in a project to design furniture and lighting pieces for the Dublin Chamber of Commerce office on Clare Street. Several Irish designers including Stephen O’Briain, Cillian O’Súilleabháin, Fergal O’Leary and Shane Holland were chosen to create bespoke pieces for the foyer while we are asked to create a coatrack with a difference. The area set aside for the coatrack was a narrow area inside the door so we decided a wall based piece would work best. Certain other ideas floated around included using maps in some way and also LED’s since we are lighting designers. ‘MapLED’ is a fusion of all these directions with numerous solid wood coat hangers affixed to a large cnc cut map of the city with holes highlighting important landmarks across the inner city. Strip LED lights illuminate the holes but also the wall behind and the piece also acts as a directional tool for the staff and clients of the Chamber. Many thanks to MCO and Ste.ie for the photographs and text below.

from MCO

Irish Design Iniative at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce

In early 2015, a series of specially curated pieces of Irish design moved in to the reception area of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce in the heart of Dublin city. These pieces, curated by MCO PROJECTS on behalf of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, are both beautiful and practical.

This project combined a service design approach with a permanent exhibition of beautifully designed and expertly crafted bespoke Irish made office furniture, highlighting how Irish design can help a space aesthetically as well as improving its functionality.

MCO’s Service Design Approach

Service Design is a method of looking at what we have and how we use it. Dublin Chamber of Commerce invited MCO’s Service Design team to study what worked well and what could function better for visitors to the Dublin Chamber, as well as the people who use the main reception area every day. The MCO Service Design team identified areas where a design solution could improve the space and then invited designers and makers to submit innovative design proposals for the space.

After a selection process, five designers were selected on the basis of the solutions that best matched the brief in terms of functionality, aesthetics and cost. Stephen O’Briain designed and built the reception desk for the space, while Cillian O’Súilleabháin made console tables. Fergal O’Leary created three of his Stanley Lounge chairs especially for the reception area, while Shane Holland’s brief was to focus on the reception area’s lighting. Leo Scarff designed a coat rack and additional lighting for the space.

Additional work to the floors of the reception area was completed by Chris Kacik of Green Oak Floors and a leaflet display case that doubles up as a coat rack designed by Aisling O’Sullivan of MCO. The furniture pieces have been complemented by contemporary pottery from Arran Street East and coffee tables by Sludgeworks, among others.

This project combined a service design approach with a permanent exhibition of beautifully designed and expertly crafted bespoke Irish designed and made office furniture. It was a way for the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and MCO to actively support the Year of Irish Design 2015 objectives by celebrating the best of Irish Design and Craft within the Dublin Chamber’s headquarters. It also aims to demonstrate to other Irish businesses the benefits of showcasing great Irish design and craftsmanship in prominent public spaces.