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A sharing plate, a serving vessel, and a topographic surface—these integral components collectively define 'Terra Firma,' an edible table landscape meticulously crafted by Estonia-based design and experience studio Heiter X, at this year's London Design Festival taking place from September 16 - 24, 2023. Beyond a mere table, 'Terra Firma' serves as a culinary canvas that transcends the ordinary, inviting onlookers to an exploratory journey into the profound relationship between food, design, and the environment.
The immersive installation at LDF 2023 encourages visitors to engage with their meals in a new, mindful way, fostering a deeper connection with what one consumes. However, the studio’s commitment to ecological harmony and experiential design goes beyond 'Terra Firma.' Alongside this masterpiece, the Mound collection takes the stage—a series of sculptural serveware, crafted from sustainable and repurposed materials, including food waste. The Mound serve ware collection and the 'Terra Firma' table will be on display from September 18 - 20, at the Fitzrovia Design District's Sanderson Hotel during the London Design Festival 2023.
STIR delves into the fascinating interplay of design and gastronomy that manifests in both projects on view at the design festival, shedding light on the creative mind shaping the evolution of dining and sustainable design in tandem.
“I have always been drawn to interactive art that allows you to engage with all your senses, and 'Terra Firma' was a response to this desire. I wanted to create a piece that not only welcomed touch but actively encouraged it. This tactile aspect became a central element of the table design. Additionally, my previous experiences in event planning and food service played a significant role in shaping 'Terra Firma.' I have always sought alternatives to conventional plates for serving food. I envisioned a dining experience where food could take on its own form and volume, unrestricted by the constraints of traditional plating,” Helis Heiter, the founder of Heiter X studio, shares with STIR, her inspiration behind the experiential installation.
The 'Terra Firma' table is a harmonious blend of natural and repurposed materials such as raw clay, natural carnauba wax, and biomass. These materials were carefully chosen to champion eco-friendly principles. According to Heiter, the selection process was driven by the project’s distinctive demands, particularly the necessity for a surface suitable for direct food contact and the vision of a nurturing environment for plant growth.
“One of the primary reasons for choosing clay as the foundational material was the desire to create a surface capable of nurturing plant growth. This decision not only allowed for seamless integration of the natural landscape into the dining experience but also added an extra layer of connection to the food served,” she explains. To achieve this, she opted for natural materials known for their safety in food-related applications. Estonian red clay, a primary component of the table, was readily available in the region, and carnauba wax has a long history of being used for culinary purposes. This choice ensured that the table could be both, a functional surface for food presentation and a little field for growing plants.
The table’s surface functions as a living canvas, orchestrating a seamless cycle of growth, consumption, and transformation. 'Terra Firma' melds food production and waste management into its very core, delivering an immersive dining experience. Here, guests are prompted to pause and engage their senses fully as they touch, smell, and savour ingredients with the utmost attention.
This unconventional presentation, reminiscent of natural landscapes and featuring ingredients sculpted into rocks, stones, and branches, tantalises the imagination by concealing food in plain view. This encourages diners to savour their meal consciously. Dining with hands on this unique, landscape-like surface transforms the act into a sensory experience, uniting guests in conversation and mutual fascination.
The installation exists in a unique state of being both complete and incomplete at the same time. It stands as a culmination of past endeavours, a tangible representation of those creative efforts. Yet, it retains an enduring state of potentiality, ever receptive to enhancements, alterations, and expansions in the future. Its imperfections and unfinished elements are not flaws, but rather, essential components reflecting an ongoing journey of exploration, experimentation, and revelation. People are integral to both the process and the installation itself—their interactions add depth and faceted interpretations. 'Terra Firma' is a collective journey, a shared experience, epitomising the interconnectedness of all things.
A specialist in sustainable food design, Heiter embarked on her journey to study food design at Milan’s Scuola Politecnica di Design. With a unique blend of expertise in landscape architecture from the University of Life Sciences and the Estonian Academy of Arts, she enriches her projects with environmentally conscious insights. Her work not only prompts inquiries about our food systems but also rekindles the joy in life’s simplest pleasures. As an extension to this philosophy, she introduces the Mound collection at the design fair in London, UK this year, as a vivid expression of her dedication to sustainability, and finding the extraordinary within the ordinary.
The designer reflects on the origins of the Mound collection, "Mountains are often viewed as spiritual symbols, representing unity between the heavens and the earth. In the same spirit, the Mound collection serves as a reminder of our interconnectedness with nature." Drawing from the ever-present mounds of waste, the collection incorporates materials such as hemp, clay, lime, plaster, buckwheat husks, macadamia nut shells, and other natural remnants. These include those materials from the construction of the studio’s previous installation 'Terra Firma,' and from food waste generated by design events, where the installation was showcased.
The concept behind Mound revolves around the transformation of what is conventionally seen as 'waste' into something of value, introducing the concept of ‘reversed waste mountains.' These inverted designs challenge viewers to reimagine established norms, particularly in the context of sustainability and waste. The collection becomes a reflection of our habits of consumption and the ensuing waste produced. Just as no two mountains are alike, each item in the collection is one-of-a-kind, handcrafted with distinct characteristics.
Together, the 'Terra Firma' table and the Mound collection weave a story of conscious sustainability and mindful consumption. 'Terra Firma' marks the inception of this journey, acquainting guests with the concept of eco-conscious dining and sustainable principles. The Mound collection extends this foundation by showcasing the transformation of waste into functional art. These two creations complement each other, delivering a message on the possibilities for positive transformation in our connections with food and the environment.
“The evolution of this project into a food landscape was a fascinating journey that unfolded organically. I didn't intend it initially, but it naturally emerged as I delved into the creative process. I think part of it comes from how I view food—not just as ingredients and recipes, but as a material with so much creative potential. So, in a way, maybe my diverse background enables me to see the whole food system and draw inspiration from its very roots, starting from the seed,” reflects the product designer.
When asked about what visitors could expect to take home from their interaction with 'Terra Firma' and the Mound collection at the design exhibition, she shares, “I hope visitors will find a sense of awe in the simplicity of the experience and discover the beauty in the ordinary aspects of daily living, especially in how we connect with food and the environment”.
'Terra Firma' and the 'Mound' collection by Heiter X is on display from September 18 - 20, 2023, at the Sanderson Hotel, 50 Berners street, London, UK.
London Design Festival is back! In its 21st edition, the faceted fair adorns London with installations, exhibitions, and talks from major design districts including Shoreditch Design Triangle, Greenwich Peninsula, Brompton, Design London, Clerkenwell Design Trail, Mayfair, Bankside, King's Cross, and more. Click here to explore STIR’s highlights from the London Design Festival 2023.
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