&Larry was one of nine Singapore designers invited to take part in the Saporiti Design Awards 2009. Our proposal for a ‘luxury tower’ storage cabinet was inspired by Singapore’s cultural links with the lion – a creature universally admired for its courage and strength.
Our research drew us to the traditional lion statues used to guard homes and places of business. This was then combined with the colourful and lively ‘Lion Dance’ costumes from Southern China to create the final design as a unique and artistic item of high luxury for Saporiti Italia.
Our research drew us to the traditional lion statues used to guard homes and places of business. This was then combined with the colourful and lively ‘Lion Dance’ costumes from Southern China to create the final design as a unique and artistic item of high luxury for Saporiti Italia.
The name chosen for the design is VEGLIONE, meaning ‘dance’ in Italian – which is apt as it is inspired by ‘Lion Dance’ costumes. Furthermore, the word ‘lion’ also appears within the name and augers well for an object that would serve as a guardian for valuable possessions.
VEGLIONE: a dancing lion that is filled with life and colour.
VEGLIONE: a dancing lion that is filled with life and colour.
VEGLIONE is intended to be realised as a large metal sculpture. Its hollow interior will house two main compartments and the associated electronics for biometric sensors, security and environmental controls. Depending on the owner’s preference, security can be programmed for easy or password-protected access.
Pedestal Compartment
The lower drawers are accessed via the capacitive touch sensor that serves as the lion’s ‘name tag’. Upon swiping one’s finger across the sensor, a number pad is displayed for the PIN code to be entered.
The lower drawers are accessed via the capacitive touch sensor that serves as the lion’s ‘name tag’. Upon swiping one’s finger across the sensor, a number pad is displayed for the PIN code to be entered.
Pedestal Compartment
Once unlocked, the side panels fold down and recede into the pedestal. Three separate and customizable drawers can then be accessed.
Once unlocked, the side panels fold down and recede into the pedestal. Three separate and customizable drawers can then be accessed.
Pedestal Compartment
Possible fittings for the customizable drawers include high quality programmable automatic watch winders, museum rag lining for precious books and printed materials, etc.
The entire pedestal compartment is temperature and humidity controlled for absolute peace of mind.
Possible fittings for the customizable drawers include high quality programmable automatic watch winders, museum rag lining for precious books and printed materials, etc.
The entire pedestal compartment is temperature and humidity controlled for absolute peace of mind.
Head Compartment
This compartment is accessed via a more stringent security check. A biometric sensor on the lion’s tongue first identifies the owner before revealing a numeric key pad for PIN access.
Upon unlocking, the top of the lion’s head swivels back on servo-motors to reveal the customizable storage space. The available volume is lesser than the pedestal compartments’ but the greater height gives more flexibility for taller objects.
This compartment is accessed via a more stringent security check. A biometric sensor on the lion’s tongue first identifies the owner before revealing a numeric key pad for PIN access.
Upon unlocking, the top of the lion’s head swivels back on servo-motors to reveal the customizable storage space. The available volume is lesser than the pedestal compartments’ but the greater height gives more flexibility for taller objects.
Colours
To parallel Lion Dance traditions, VEGLIONE will be offered in five colours – White, Black, Gold, Green and Red – to give owners flexibility in matching their decor and personal style.
With its integrated security, full environmental controls and customizable compartments, it is a functional piece of art that expounds the dual luxuries of space and ownership.
