INTERPLAY
Annie Gao
OCAD University
INTERplay is a collection of home furnishings that come alive through touch and interaction. Each piece invites curiosity, designed to deepen the relationship between people and the objects they live with. LEVELS displays a plant that physically moves up and down in response to its moisture levels, making the plant’s needs visible through motion rather than hidden data or notifications. By translating the internal condition of the plant into a sculptural gesture, the work encourages a more attentive and reciprocal relationship with living systems. At the top of the structure is a lamp, included because light has always felt essential to bringing a room to life. The simple act of turning on a light can transform a space emotionally, creating warmth, presence, and a sense of being home. Pairing the lamp with the moving plant connects care for the self with care for another living organism, positioning both as part of the same domestic ecosystem. Inspired by the Sekimori Ishi: Japanese boundary stones that signal an off-limits pathway, SUSPEND VASES use subtle communication to facilitate play. The multiple possibilities for display allow users to exercise agency and creativity. I aim to spark the same joy and curiosity as unwrapping a present. The TUCK TABLE is a coffee table designed with the remote worker in mind, recognizing the home as both a living and working environment. An additional tier creates varied surface heights, allowing for a more ergonomic and comfortable laptop setup while maintaining the casual function of a coffee table. Dowels paired with canvas sling storage provide visually open organization, ensuring everyday objects remain visible rather than forgotten in concealed compartments. The modular L-shaped panel can be repositioned to support different activities, from working on a laptop to eating or displaying objects. By addressing the clutter that often accumulates on flat surfaces, the table encourages more intentional use of shared living spaces. Contrasting elements emphasize movable components and invite interaction, while the oversized dowels and playful proportions reference children’s toys, creating a sense of familiarity and tactility. The project is informed by principles of soft technology, exploring softness not only through materiality but through adaptability, emotional comfort, and evolving use over time.