Who says the cup’s already been done? No I. The Skase teacup by Steve Watson proves it. This wonderfully formed teacup made from white glazed creamware stands symbiotically with a crossed base of Manchurian walnut, in defiance of the convention of ‘having a bottom. The designer describes symbiosis as ‘A close, prolonged association between two or more different organisms of different species that may, but does not necessarily, benefit each member.’ The cup dynamically holds space when it is lifted from its base. Instead of a dead terminus at a conventional bottom, the tapered, pointed end allows the eye to flow off and onto the form at will- similar to a charge needing a point to escape from a surface. The teacup was nominated for Pulchra.org’s ‘100 Most Beautiful Objects in the World 2010′.
curtesy of Steve Watson
Matt Davis is a Virginia Tech graduate and one of the founding editors behind Arch2O. Launching the platform in mid‑2012 alongside fellow Hokies, he helped shape its identity as an international hub for design innovation and critical dialogue . With a foundation in architectural education and a passion for uncovering unconventional design approaches, Matt has contributed significantly—both editorially and strategically—to Arch2O’s growth, ensuring that emerging architects, academics, and creatives have a space to question, explore, and elevate the built environment.