Studio Boir imagines “new normal” meals in a series of utensils

Now, with the gradual reopening of restaurants, cinemas and the return of in-person classes, one question seems to echo in everyone's mind: "What will the new normal be?" During the pandemic, several designers and architects have already started thinking about solutions to adapt (sometimes even create) the scenario of this post-coronavirus life, both in the most obvious aspects, such as the modification of schools , and in the most philosophical ones, such as the direction of houses and the new needs of residents. Croatian design studio Boir had mealtime rituals in mind when designing their conceptual line of utensils The New Normal , which consists of different types of plates and cutlery. The series of five objects is a study that seeks to balance the safety of social distancing and human intimacy, provided by the act of eating together.

“Despite coronavirus safety rules, our conceptual tableware retains that important social and cultural dimension of sharing meals. Boir’s tableware bridges the gap between intimacy and distance, enabling the safe sharing of food while simultaneously connecting and separating the dishes served,” studio founder Ivan Zidar explained to Dezeen .

The balance between steel and stone

The Dessert for Two set features two long spoons and two minimalist stone plates, while the T-shaped set is the designers’ reinterpretation of the traditional prosciutto plate. It comes with two chopstick-like tongs as cutlery. couvert, a basket was created made of two semicircular sections of steel, like a pipe cut in half, separated by a sheet of metal. The two objects balanced on stones are plates. The thinner one is used to serve amuse-bouche, sushi and small appetizers, while the second, in the shape of a semicircle, can be used for larger dishes. In both, the stone resembles a mountain. sculptural.