Grace Prince: Exploring Materiality and Poetic Form in Furniture Design

Grace Prince is a London-born, multidisciplinary designer and architectural researcher currently based in Zürich. Her creative practice is centered on the study of materials, surfaces, and alignments, specifically within the realm of furniture and sculptural objects. A graduate of Central Saint Martins, Grace Prince has developed a unique methodology she calls 'Gestural Assembly,' which addresses themes of authenticity, entropy, and gesture. Her work seeks to preserve functionality while shifting the sensory field through subtle compositions that evoke a 'poetic absence.' Prince's professional background includes serving as an assistant designer to Vincenzo De Cotiis in Milan and working as a material researcher at ETH Zürich under Professor Anne Holtrop. Her portfolio includes notable series such as 'Held Absence,' 'Displaced Line,' and 'Unsettled Balance,' which demonstrate her meticulous approach to reduction and craftsmanship. By avoiding ready-mades and collaborating closely with artisans, Grace Prince ensures each element of her work is purposefully formed. Her contributions to the field have been recognized by AD100 in 2023, reflecting her significant impact on contemporary design. Through her studio, Grace Prince continues to push the boundaries between utility and art, creating pieces that resonate with structural integrity and emotional depth.