Nova collection by Alain Gilles for XL BOOM connect ancient pottery and modern design
The Nova ceramic vases by Belgian designer Alain Gilles for XL BOOM create a poetic dialogue between tradition and innovation, showing how clay continues to connect generations. Each piece recalls ancient coil pottery methods while embracing the accuracy of contemporary 3D printing. The ribbed surfaces evoke prehistoric craftsmanship yet align seamlessly with layered extrusion techniques used in modern ceramic production, presenting a conversation between eras rather than a contrast.
Their textured ribs generate depth and movement, shifting in appearance as light and shadow interact across the surface. This tactile detail transforms simple geometry into a dynamic visual language. Alain Gilles channels the earthy aesthetic of West African vernacular architecture, translating its handmade character into perfectly regular forms. The result feels both familiar and distinctly contemporary, suggesting artifacts shaped by unseen hands.
Arranged together, the vases resemble a miniature landscape or clustered dwellings, as if rising from the same ground that shaped them. The collection’s varying heights allow flexible compositions on floors or tabletops, giving interiors a subtle sense of rhythm. Even when left empty, Nova retains its sculptural presence, offering quiet energy to a space without competing for attention.
The production process bridges handcraft and technology. Each form begins as a 3D-printed model, its ribbed details captured with precision before being cast in ceramic. This approach preserves the visual memory of coiled clay while removing irregularities, uniting ancient technique with modern design tools. Nova thus affirms that innovation can extend the legacy of traditional craft rather than replace it.
Its restrained geometric shapes amplify the importance of texture. By keeping silhouettes simple and surfaces expressive, Gilles ensures the tactile story remains central. The natural ceramic tones connect the pieces to the earth, allowing them to complement a wide range of interiors, from minimal modern spaces to settings that celebrate artisanal warmth.
Nova’s purpose extends beyond function as a vase. It acts as a sculptural marker of continuity in design history, showing that clay, a material humanity has shaped for millennia, still offers fresh creative possibilities. XL BOOM’s craftsmanship and Alain Gilles’ vision together produce objects that hold both flowers and cultural memory, echoing contemporary explorations in floral display like Luis Frey’s Khora Vase, affirming design’s power to cross time.
All images courtesy of Alain Gilles, shared with permission
