Neowise Aero Coffee Table / Kismas
The Neowise Aero is a low, circular coffee table from Kismas, the Vilnius design studio behind the salvaged glass-block lamps, and the series began as a platform to display those lamps. It is built not from welded steel but from flat aluminium sheets that slot together and are held with black rubber O-rings, so it assembles by hand in minutes and comes apart the same way. The form is rounded throughout, softening a room of rectangular frames and windows, and the lower section is left open between the aluminium panels to store books, magazines or records while keeping the whole thing visually light. The construction is the aesthetic: nothing is hidden, the fasteners are part of the look, and coloured silicone O-rings are offered for anyone who wants to make it less restrained.
Design intent
- +Flat aluminium panels joined with rubber O-rings make the table tool-free to assemble and take apart, and put the construction method on open display rather than hiding it.
- +The open lower section between the panels adds visual lightness while doubling as storage, so the base earns its volume rather than just holding the top up.
Trade-offs
The Neowise Aero is a low, circular coffee table from Kismas, the Vilnius design studio behind the salvaged glass-block lamps, and the series began as a platform to display those lamps. It is built not from welded steel but from flat aluminium sheets that slot together and are held with black rubber O-rings, so it assembles by hand in minutes and comes apart the same way. The form is rounded throughout, softening a room of rectangular frames and windows, and the lower section is left open between the aluminium panels to store books, magazines or records while keeping the whole thing visually light. The construction is the aesthetic: nothing is hidden, the fasteners are part of the look, and coloured silicone O-rings are offered for anyone who wants to make it less restrained.
Design intent
- +Flat aluminium panels joined with rubber O-rings make the table tool-free to assemble and take apart, and put the construction method on open display rather than hiding it.
- +The open lower section between the panels adds visual lightness while doubling as storage, so the base earns its volume rather than just holding the top up.
Trade-offs
- -The O-ring joinery is the structure; the rings can snap if the table is dragged or adjusted carelessly, and are best removed before moving it.
- -Aluminium shows scratches and marks over time, and the exposed, inspectable construction makes that wear more visible than on an enclosed or upholstered piece.
