Founded in 2011 in Brooklyn, Juniper is a design and manufacturing studio. Juniper was launched by Shant Madjarian, who left a career in finance to use the tools he’d acquired as a businessman to launch a company that he was passionate about. Focused on the tenet that great design has the potential to change people’s lives and should be accessible, Juniper works closely with designers to create products that are useful, minimalist, and elegant. Juniper will be one of the featured designers at the Dwell Store installation at Dwell on Design NY.
Slideshow
British designer David Irwin connected with Shant Madjarian at ICFF in 2011 where he was showing a prototype of the Cross Chair. After realizing that the two were closely aligned in design ideals and aesthetics, they began working together on a wireless lighting project, called the M Lamp.
Although the first product that the two collaborated on was the M Lamp, the Cross Chair soon joined Juniper’s fleet of products. Although the current Cross Chair (pictured above) closely resembles the original prototype, Irwin and Madjarian had to reimagine the dimensions of the chair to make sure it fit a broader market. This included modifying the seat length, amongst other small adjustments. Although the open-back chair looks spare, Madjarian notes, “things that seem simple still can be challenging.” Irwin’s original inspiration for the chair came from the classic symmetry of an hourglass and is comprised of two interlocking profiles that connect to create a balanced chair. The chair’s form is reduced to its most essential elements, making it stackable and slim. Each chair includes a soft cushion with a wool cover that gives the refined chair a relaxed, welcoming touch.
The first project that Irwin and Madjarian worked on was the wireless M Lamp, an innovative lighting solution that blends portability and function with high design. The inspiration from the portable lamp came from historic mining lamps, and the silhouette recalls this vision, while giving it a sleek, modern slant. According to Madjarian, they created a lamp that was “ultra simple looking, but the guts of the lamp are complex.” The M Lamp was created without precedence, making it a challenging project that took several years to fully realize. Now completed, the M Lamp is a truly distinctive light source that marries utility with sophisticated design.
After the Cross Chair was completed, Irwin and Madjarian began working on a corresponding dining table that would communicate with the existing design of the chair, while still creating its own impact. According to David Irwin, “The concept behind the Cross Chair and Edge Table was to pare back the structure to its minimum requirement whilst retaining an elegant form.” The table is available in three sizes, making it a versatile option for a variety of kitchens and dining rooms. The Edge Table is comprised of slightly flared legs, arched trestles, and a sturdy tabletop with the unexpected feature of rounded corners. The result is a table that is distinctive, while still maintaining a minimalist silhouette. Considering this dining collection, Madjarian says, “We set out to produce a chair and table that are adaptable, well-made, and would reflect our environmental consciousness and commitment to our local communities.”
United in the principle that products should be useful and have a positive impact on their customers, Shant Madjarian and David Irwin continue their design collaborations. Many of Irwin’s designs make up Juniper’s range of products, and Madjarian says that Irwin’s influence is largely shaping the brand’s overall aesthetic. In addition to the Cross Chair, Edge Table, and M Lamp, Irwin has designed Juniper’s Rivet lights, including suspension and table lamp versions. They are currently working on a new wireless lighting project, amongst other ideas.
