FORMWORK is a minimalist furniture collection created by Lausanne-based designer Gini Moynier for NOV Gallery. Designers Amandine Gini and Victor Moynier selected wood salvaged from significant phases of the construction process for this project. Spruce wood, typically used in construction and often discarded, was given a new purpose. It is frequently found in building demolitions and would otherwise be burned, releasing CO2 and wasting decades of tree growth. Oak wood, retrieved from dismantled roof beams that are often replaced during renovations, followed a similar path of reuse instead of disposal. In creating the FORMWORK collection, these woods were transformed from large-scale architectural elements to finely crafted furniture pieces. This process treated the reclaimed wood as a valuable resource, offering a sustainable alternative in furniture manufacturing.
The collection featured a distinct design that integrated spruce and oak in a patchwork-style assembly. Spruce was used for its structural qualities, while oak was favored for its visual appeal and durability. The designs combined traditional and modern woodworking techniques to produce pieces that were both visually appealing and graphically coherent. The collection included a chair, a wall-mounted shelf, and a side table, each inspired by the formwork used in concrete casting on construction sites. The chair merged simple plank construction with advanced CNC milling to create a modern take on classic seating designs. The side table, designed with a bold structure, incorporated a discreet slot for book storage, showcasing the wood’s natural beauty. The wall-mounted shelf was designed to mimic the supportive structures seen in concrete casting, casting varying shadows throughout the day, adding an element of dynamic aesthetics.