Though Joseph Joseph has a mature product line of largely plastic products, there is a large market of consumers, particularly in the US, that prefer stainless steel products that match their appliances.

Whilst Joseph Joseph offers a selection of stainless steel products based on existing designs, Studio17 were asked to investigate a matching range of new countertop organisational products, underpinned by a collection of innovative features.

There are currently a vast number of stainless steel products on the market, but the nature of how these products are manufactured often leads to crude cosmetic wraps, with ugly part interfaces to overlap the sharp edges of the steel.

By fully understanding the production methods available, Surface was developed using the steel as the main structural element of the product, rather than a superfluous visual part. The folded steel construction is internally rolled on the top and bottom edges, giving a smooth appearance.

The top and bottom parts of each product are moulded ABS plastic that clips within the steel, hiding the internal edges, and partially lapping over the ends of the steel, creating a seamless, properly considered topology.