The synergy of craft and industry: Linde Freya Tangelder and Cassina capture the fluidity of glass in the Fluid Joinery series
The production of Fluid Joinery relies heavily on the expertise of Italian master glassmakers. As mouth-blown glass is injected into heavy cast-iron moulds, the artisans must work with instinctual precision to shape the material before it sets. This approach does not seek industrial perfection; instead, it celebrates the visible traces of the glass in motion.
The monolithic side table, for instance, features a wave-like surface that appears soft to the eye, yet functions as a rigorous, load-bearing structure. Its inherent warmth is not merely tactile but derived from the artisanal gestures preserved within the form.
In her lighting design, Tangelder further explores the layering of light. By composing three distinct layers, transparent, opal white, and tinted transparent, she allows illumination to filter through overlapping volumes.
As light diffuses these layers, the hues bleed into one another, giving the resulting shadows a palpable weight and depth within the space.
Through Fluid Joinery, Tangelder and Cassina demonstrate that industrial production and refined craftsmanship are not mutually exclusive. By leveraging Cassina’s technical heritage to realise such experimental concepts, the collaboration proves that mass-produced furniture can possess the depth and sensory impact of a gallery piece.
Image 1, 3, 4, 5: @elinewillaert
Image 2: @felixspeller
Design: @lindefreya_tangelder
