Elite is part of the craft tradition of Master Upholsterer Jules-Henri Caillet and was created in Yens-sur-Morges in Switzerland in 1895. Initially, the family specialised in upholstery and then went on to gain expertise in mattress manufacturing and build a reputation in the region. With the advent of automated tools, Robert Caillet, the founder's son, sought to integrate progress within his company by marrying craft and mechanisation. In his view, and indeed that of successive generations, progress was key to the manufacture of a good mattress.

Artisan production offers freedom of choice and the opportunity to use high-quality natural materials (Swiss wool, alpaca wall, cashmere, pure tail hair, camel wool, Tussar silk, etc.). Expertise in combining these different materials and rigorous design combine to produce exceptional bedding. “Fine materials for a good night’s sleep”. From the outset, the family business was careful to select only environmentally friendly, sustainable raw materials. Production, which still takes place in Switzerland, relies on a relationship of trust with partners, expertise and attention to details by the company’s employees. This leads to ethical, ecological and social responsibility both on the part of partners and customers as on that of its employees.

Elite house seeks to forge its own distinctive path and prioritise craftsmanship and well-being. It is alert to customer experience and offers bespoke solutions. It strives its utmost to ensure that its products are both sustainable and environmentally friendly.

From consultation to manufacture, Elite’s employees are constantly on hand to meet their customers’ every demand. A job well done, the pursuit of excellence – these are the values that Elite seeks to convey in designing its products. The company is defined not only by its quality guarantees and commitment to innovation internally, but also by its fine, delicate materials and the talents of its craft workers.

Elite is part of a long tradition of bed making and seeks to advance the design of premium beds. This competition looks to foster new ideas through the combination of design and traditional craftsmanship.

Aims of the competition

• Show Elite’s expertise
• Boost creative design in the field of bedding
• Transform ideas to product
• Give students and young professionals the opportunity to be exhibited at Milan Design Week 2019

Theme: « haute couture bed »

Beds can be viewed as symbolic objects which have developed over time. In the 17^th century, they were objects of great value and it was common practice to receive visitors while lying on one's bed. They also provided a display area which told stories of power with hunting trophies hanging above. Nowadays, they are more private and while they are still used as decorative objects of one style or another, they are not deemed sufficiently important within our living spaces.

The purpose of this competition is to rethink beds and their environment as objects designed for current lifestyles, while retaining the essence of authentic traditional craftsmanship. The proposal is intended for private individuals and should tell a story which takes account of the area around the bed (whether it is placed centrally, against a wall, etc.) and the particular experience of its user. The project should describe the distinctive character of the bed both in terms of its use and the quality of its design details much as if it were an item of haute couture and also describe the volumes, materials and assemblies used.

This haute couture angle can also be approached through the expression of a dream or an emotion either consonant with or dissonant from the pace of our always-connected working lives. This object is effectively intrinsic to the experience of waking and sleeping and may gain in importance in daily activities. This item is known for its longevity and could even be viewed as an accessory to its owner’s changing desires. Indeed, it may be distinctive for its very flexibility.

Candidates must propose a bed frame (base and headboard) which fits into its environment. The proposal is designed for private individuals who desire a unique item of furniture. The proposal should take account of the manufacturing constraints contained in the design brief. You are strongly encouraged to draw on the expertise offered by Elite and its current production methods – cabinetmaking, upholstery and leatherwork. The idea is to fuse imagination with the expertise of high-end cabinetmaking companies which offer remarkable skills in design details.

The following criteria will be used to assess the proposals:

• Consistency with the positioning of the company (craftsmanship, luxury, well-being)
• Quality of the presentation and narration (clarity)
• Aesthetic quality of the project
• Functional quality of the project (use and experience)
• Technical and functional feasibility
• Creativity and originality of the response to the competition theme and specifications

Technical characteristics and constraints

These constraints must be adhered in order to combine style and comfort:

• The base bed must be a minimum of 10 to 12 cm deep
• The reference mattress you shall work with is 180 cm wide and 200 cm long
  (Elite mattresses are 22 cm to 35 cm deep)

Disqualifications:

• If more than one project is sent by team or individually
• If the project contains more than 3 pages or less than 3 pages
• If the team contains more than 2 persons
• If multiple registrations

Registration process

• 10^th September 2018:
  opening of the registrations
• 1^st November 2018:
  deadline for the registrations and the issue of registration numbers

2 Submission process

• 1^st November – 10^th December 2018:
  (December 10^th 2018 midnight Geneva time, as recorded by the date and time that the email is sent, is the final deadline to submit the project at the following address : eda@elitedesignaward.ch

3 Selection process

• January 2019:
  selection of the projects by the jury
• February 2019:
  announcement of the winners*
• 9-14 April 2019:
  presentation of the projects and award ceremony during the Milan Design Week 2019

*The winners will be informed by email. The non-winners participants will be informed via social media only.

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