Gilad Ritz and Jean-Paul Ghougassian of Melbourne-based practice Ritz and Ghougassian established their architecture and interior design studio in 2015, specializing in clean forms influenced by a reductionist philosophy. Striving to achieve more with less in their restrained design approach, Ritz and Ghougassian create spaces that have a considered materiality and a sense of volume and lightness, as well as an intimate relationship with their immediate contexts.
The duo said their five favourite objects were unified by two themes: they all “enveloped space and contained volume”, and they shared “patina and haptic qualities”.
Unjour shallow mug by Yumiko Iihoshi Porcelain
Gilad Ritz: Its fine porcelain edge tucks under my top lip while the broad surface of its exterior shell rests across the bottom of my mouth, and I gently receive a dose of warm liquid.
This Yumiko Iihoshi Porcelain-designed Unjour shallow coffee cup I use each morning requires mention. Nothing could be more intimate than putting something to one’s lips. This also forms my morning ritual.
Unjour après midi shallow cup by Yumiko Iihoshi Porcelain, shown in colour “rainy gray”.
Image:
Courtesy of Yumiko Iihoshi Porcelain
David Mellor spoon
GR: I hold the metal in my hand; its long, flat handle is weighted and cold to the touch, with rounded, tapered edges. Fine line markings relay light upwards along the length of it, flashing and disappearing into the void of the convex vessel.
The spoon, designed as part of David Mellor’s Minimal stainless steel cutlery set, is a favourite of mine. Its heavy, metal surface and reduced appearance align with my design sensibility. Many meals can simply be consumed with a spoon.
Spoon from the David Mellor Minimal stainless steel cutlery collection.
Image:
Courtesy of David Mellor
Richard Sapper Tizio light
Jean-Paul Ghougassian: Metallic, angled and counterbalanced, the Tizio (designed by Richard Sapper) is an architectural expression. The light itself has sentimental value to me: it was a hand-me-down from my father, and in turn, it lights up my work as it did his. Its halogen light is hot, unlike the LEDs in the remake, and it warms the surface beneath it.
Richard Sapper Tizio light.
Image:
Courtesy of Richard Sapper Design
Funnel planter by Anchor Ceramics
JPG: Our Anchor Funnel Planter earthenware pot is a studio favourite: speckled, glazed, and of-the-earth. Each pot is different and unique, reflective of the hand that throws the clay. I enjoy the versatility of the object: it can both contain soil and receive water to sustain plant life, but – equally beautiful – it can contain emptiness and nothingness.
Anchor funnel planter.
Image:
Courtesy of Anchor
Studio table, designed by Ritz and Ghougassian and made by Adrian Hall of H and F Custom Joinery
GR + JPG: Our studio table – solid blackbutt timber glued together to create a smooth, flat, planar surface. Its timber grain is clean and very linear for a eucalyptus hardwood. Its legs are planar too, intersecting one another at 90°. Each timber strip was picked to match its neighbour. Every meeting we’ve had in the office occurs here. The table has developed a patina, a layer of time across its surface. It has the handprints of carpenters, builders, designers and clients adhered to its surface.
Blackbutt timber table in the Ritz and Ghougassian Toorak studio.
Image:
Tom Ross
Source: Architecture - architectureau
