Everyone needs a time and place to recharge. And when it comes to our mobile devices, that need becomes literal when their batteries deplete after a day’s duty of staying connected. Ampi, designed by LAYER and founder Benjamin Hubert for Vitra, is a thoughtfully designed charging station designed to keep up to six devices powered up with a furniture design approach to tech, hiding away the cords and cables normally associated with a charging hub.
Constructed from recyclable plastic, the jewelry box-like design is not only filled with a plethora of plug-in charging options like a typical USB hub, but Ampi also features an induction charging surface top which makes recharging the equivalent of drag and drop. A front drawer opens to reveal one USB-C and two USB-A ports, alongside two power outlets for plugging in accessories.
And this being Vitra, the Ampi is given the Kvadrat textile treatment across the drawer pull, a nod to Vitra’s furniture heritage and a way to soften the otherwise hard surface design of the charging device, a detail that extends down Ampi’s textile cable snaking out from its back.
This is our first collaboration with Vitra and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to combine our expertise in tech with our understanding of the way people live and work. Our unique approach to furniture and technology design together with Vitra’s position as a market and thought leader in interior objects has resulted in a powerful office companion that packs enhanced evocative functionality into a discreet and refined package.
– Benjamin Hubert – Founder, LAYER
Ampi is initially launching in Basic Dark and Soft Grey options, but those who prefer more colorful choices should wait a little longer, as Vitra harbors plans to release a collection of five new colors in the coming months.
Vitra Ampi launches this month and will retail for £185 – about $200 USD – a pretty price to pay for a pretty piece of tech that won’t clutter the workspace.
