Milan design week report 2014

DGI OPINION
MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2014
Piano Peugeot Design Lab for Pleyel at Tortona, Fuorisalone 2014.

INDEX
HARMONIC
CONFLUENCE
Context Shifting
Historical background
Duality
Material beyond the
shape
REFINEMENT IN
PERCEPTION
Marble, New Era
Textured Textiles
Multilayered
Identity
Colours:
Harmonic Vibrations

HARMONIC CONFLUENCE
Photo © Antonio Calanni/AP
After years of stubborn attempts at the destruction of the old, the
exaltation of the new, and waiting for a loud and clear signal, we are now
reconsidering the existing. Fortunately, in our more or less recent past,
we have produced a lot to which we can now devote proper attention.
This is no time for opposition, extremism, or excess.
Now is the time for conciliation and
harmony.
This year at the Salone del Mobile in Milan, we had the opportunity to
experience a rare state of balance, the
symbiotic coexistence between elements
in apparent contrast,
from which all beneficial advantages derive.
Harmony is a concept that communicates with all the sensory aspects of
perception: vision, hearing, touch, taste...

HARMONIC CONFLUENCE
Photo © Luca Rotondo
Panasonic, Sliding Nature installation at Statale.
CONTEXT
SHIFTING
The design performance is changing points of
reference: after the amazing shows, typical of the
golden years of the Milan design week, we are
witnessing a slow and gradual change in the
background scenario.
For the most important event of the year, Milan
gives the public a “back to the old days” experience,
becoming once again the most prestigious frame for
contamporary design.
This replaces the post-industrial and minimalist
contexts, that echos globalized trends in interior
design and architecture.
In recent years Milan’s oldest and most important
historical buildings have been the scene of
important exhibitions, often replacing showrooms
and temporary architectures.
The public is now more aware of the value of
historical and artistic monuments, but above all the
public can now see the symbiotic coexistence that
history and contemporary design have
implemented, taking from it mutual benefit and
emphasis.

Harmonic Confluence
CONTEXT SHIFTING
Palazzo Litta
Urban Stories
Four immersive installations that 'enact'
exceptional and unusual suggestions of
contemporary life. In tribute to the commitment
and passion of company leaders whithin their field,
careful to a sensitive design, capable of improving,
and giving extra value to our daily lives.
Photo © Nick Hughes
Photo © Donatella Simonetti
1.Urban Stories, installation.
2.Balance, modules in sound-absorbing fabric by GamFratesi
3. Urban Stories, installation.
4. I found a place, Tables and sofà by Gam Fratesi.
1 2
34

Harmonic Confluence
CONTEXT SHIFTING
Palazzo Clerici
Islands
Raw Edges for Caesarstone.
An interactive installation that focuses
on food and dining within the domestic
environment. Islands exhibit the design,
beauty, quality, and functionality
of Caesarstone surfaces.
All images © Nick Hughes

Photo © Edra
Photo © Wired
Photo © Wired
Photo © MarcelWanders
Harmonic Confluence
CONTEXT SHIFTING
Museo
Bagatti Valsecchi
Untold
In partnership with Goga Ashkenazi Vionnet,
Rossana Orlandi created a dialogue between
past and present. By furnishing one of Milan’s
finest historical homes , the Palazzo Bagatti
Valsecchi, with the objects of designers such as
Marcel Wanders, Nika Zupanc, Barnaba
Fornasetti and Nacho Carbonell.
Orlandi created a unique oppurtunity to see
the works of many contempary artists
within an historical setting.
She shows us that, in order to furnish a good
home, we must first appreciate objects and
their history.
1.Chandeliers by Jacopo Foggini and Gina chairs by Edra.
2.JAMESPLUMB’s Cupboard Steps.
3.Ceramis Azulejos, vente de carrelage by Marcel Wanders.
4. Installation by Formafantasman, Lobmeyr.
1
4
2
3

Photo © Peugeot Design Lab
The Onyx sofà detail by Peugeot Design Lab
DUALITY
Material beyond the
shape
Technological /primitive , antique/modern,
past/present, spontaneous/sophisticated,
natural /artificial, craft/industrial. 
Natural materials and crude forms coexist in the
same object with highly sophisticated and
technological parts.
Apparently at this point in history, designers and
companies alike are more interested in new
frontiers of processing, production, and testing
materials, rather than in new shapes.
However, this symbiotic combination of
materials is leading to a renewal of aesthetic
languages .
HARMONIC CONFLUENCE

Harmonic Confluence
DUALITY
Material beyond the shape
Peugeot
Design Lab
The ONYX sofa is a 3 metre long seat made of
carbon fibre and Volvic volcanic lava stone.
The ONYX sofa contains a series of unique
pieces of furniture, made to suit the choice, the
origin and the personality of the customer.
All while respecting a common idea: 
the union via a pronounced clear cut, between
hyper-technological materials, such as carbon
fibre, glass fibre, aluminium,... and raw and
natural materials like rock, wood, stone.
All images © Peugeot Design Lab

1 2
4
Harmonic Confluence
DUALITY
Officina collection
by Ronan + Erwan Bouroullec for Magis.
A range of tables and low tables with hammered
metal structures, with tops that come in a variety of
materials such as wood, sheet metal, and glass.
(1;4).
EPS Collection
by Klaas Kuiken.
A Collection of cabinets and stools. Starting with
expanded polystyrene, Klaas fell in love with the
fragile and random shapes of this foam, commonly
known as sturdy packing material.
By using a lost foam cast iron technique these
wobbly shapes became stronger. (2;3).
Photo© JW KaldenbachPhoto © Thomas Wagner, Stylepark
Photo© Magis 3

Workmates by Klaas Kuiken
1.SU aluminum and reclaimed wood stool.
2. SU aluminum and green concrete (50% recycled glass bottles and csa
(calcium sulfoaluminate cement).
3. Nendo sitting overview.
1 2
3
Harmonic Confluence
DUALITY
Emeco SUcollection
by Nendo.
Collection of stools and tables.
The furniture collection features precise engineering
and is made of reclaimed and recycled materials
that have been discovered through the ongoing
exploration of eco-conscious resources. SU seats
come in three different materials.
All images © Designboom

1
Harmonic Confluence
DUALITY
Well proven stools
by Marjan van Aubel and James Shaw.
They explore a new way to reuse timber waste,
which can run up from 50 to 80% in regular
production. These woodchips are then mixed with a
bioresin. This mixture expands to a light yet, strong
foam. By combining these waste products, a new
and durable material is created.
.
All images © Transnatural

1 2
45 3
Harmonic Confluence
DUALITY
The new Clique
collection.
Marble isn’t the first material you think of when it
comes to home appliances. Clique has turned the
staid material into something surprisingly pleasant
able to dialogue with the electric heart of this
product collection.
Photo© Domus
Photo© Domus Photo© Domus
1. Heatty: marble fan heater by Claudio Larcher.
2. Rocchetto :under power side table design by Filippo Protasoni.
3. Echo: bookcase with integrated marble bluetooth speaker by
Claudio Larcher.
4. Refill: waiting seating system with storage trays and wireless
charger by Filippo Protasoni.
5. Refill: waiting seating system with storage trays and wireless
charger (detail) by Filippo Protasoni.

2
3All images © Transnatural 1
Harmonic Confluence
DUALITY
De Natura Fossilium
by Formafantasma.
‘De Natura Fossilium’ investigates the culture of lava
in the Mount Etna’s and Stromboli’s regions of Sicily.
Studio Formafantasma brings both the landscape
and the forces of nature together as facilities for
production.
It is an expedition in which the landscape is not
passively contemplated but, restlessly sampled,
melted, blown, woven, cast and milled. From the
more familiar use of basalt stone and Lavic fibres, to
their extreme experiments with lava in the
production of glass, Formafantasma's explorations
and resulting objects will realise the full potential of
lava as a material for design.
.
1.Fossilium Box, detail.
2. Fossilium small coffee table.
3. Fossilium Clock.

After decades of debate on the design , diffusion of schools, and design courses, after
the linguistic contamination of the everyday vocabulary with terms closer to the world
of design: style , trends, moods, restyling , high tech , minimal... After innumerable
exercises of visual education to good products , proposed by design experts , articles,
specialized magazines , websites and blogs , the level of popular culture grew up with
a widespread and homogeneous trend.
The evolution of species in the world of
design continues.
We no longer need abrupt changes or special effects to solicit our attention; as natives
of the Amazon rainforest roaming in the jungle of design, we take even the smallest
movement , slight differences in color, complex textures of fabrics, mysterious
compositions of materials, and even if the shapes of objects apparently do not offer
exciting innovations , we are happy.
Another dimension of beauty is coming:
nothing overwhelming, spectacular, exuberant or ephemeral. A world apart , a close-
up in the perceptual dimension of quality design .
REFINEMENT IN PERCEPTION

Photo © Jacopo Spilimbergo
Tela Shelving by Zaha Hadid for Citco.
MARBLE,
NEW ERA
Natural, precious, traditional and
'tangible'.
Many designers, in search of a new
identity, have measured themselves
with this material.
The singular and unusual aspect of this
edition of Salone del Mobile 2014, is the
significant number of companies that
have experienced the collaboration of
designers in their proposal of marble
products.
Its easy to see that marble has entered
into a new dimension, in part, due to the
evolution of processing technology and
our reconsideration in the value of
natural materials.

1
23
Photo © Tokujin Yoshioka
Photo © Novembre Photo © AlbertaCuccia
Refinement in perception
MARBLE, NEW ERA
Past, present and future.
Marble across time.
Art exhibition about Turkish natural stone organized
by IMIB for the Milan Design Week.
An emotional journey that on one hand is an
expression of the history of the world and on the
other hand is the history of man.
1.Marble Table by Tokujin Yoshioka.
2.Passage by Aziz Sariyer.
3.Here I Am by Fabio Novembre.

MARBLE, NEW ERA
Working on Marble
collection for
Marsotto Edizioni
"Work, as a necessary part of our lives, covers a vast
range of activities relating to the intellect, manual
skills, the individual and the group. Hence this
collection, with its diverse interpretations of
surfaces as action tops," said Studio Irvine which is
responsible for the art direction of this year's
project.
The Working on Marble collection comprises
modular, flexible pieces including meeting tables,
work surfaces and writing desks. Italian brand
Marsotto Edizioni have invited Jasper Morrison,
Kostantin Gricic, Naoto Fukasawa, Philippe Nigro,
Ross Lovegrove, and Studio Irvin to create furniture
pieces in Italian white stone.
1. Keyboard Kostantin Gricic 2014
2. Two Mates Ross Lovegrove 2014
3. Rendez vous Philippe Nigro 2014
4. Arena Jasper Morrison 2014
5. Agorà Naoto Fukasawa 2014
6. Toio Studio Irvine 2014
1
6
4
All images© Marsotto
2
3
5

1 2
5
4 3
MARBLE, NEW ERA
Solid Patterns series
for Luce di Carrara
Dutch studio Scholten & Baijings has designed a
series of marble tables decorated with engraved
geometric patterns that contrast with the natural
veined surface of the stone.
"Adding grid patterns to the designs has created a
contemporary look that enhances the contrast
between the graphics and the crystalline marble
patterns," the designers added.
Photo © Scheltens & Abbenes

Photo © StudioBouroullec
3D knitted and stretch fabric by Ronan Erwan Bouroullec for Kvadrat.
TEXTURED
TEXTILES
Textiles are presented as
three-dimensional materials and
offer chromatic harmonies and rich
decoration based on geometry.
The decorative aspect is integrated
with the thickness and texture of
the fabric, giving the material a
sensorial quality as well as a
technological and contemporary
look.

1 2
45
Photo © AlesioMatteucciPhoto © BenjaminHubert
Photo © StudioBouroullec 3
1. Talma Armchair by Benjamin Hubert for Moroso.
2. Shell Sofa by Benjamin Hubert for Moroso.
3. 3D knitted and stretch fabric by Ronan Erwan Bouroullec for
Kvadrat.
4. Canal, Moraine and Gravel fabric by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec
for Kvadrat .
5. Kenny Folded Fabric Armchair by Yael Mer and Shay Alkalay for
Moroso.
TEXTURED TEXTILES

1 2
4 Photo © Gabriel ZanonPhoto © DePadova 3
1. Dandy, collection for exteriors by Roda.
2. Dandy, collection for exteriors by Roda.
3. Orla sofà by Jasper Morrison, Cappellini.
4. Chesto armchair by Patrick Norguet, De Padova.
5. Hella Jongerius, East river chair, Vitra
5
TEXTURED TEXTILES

Photo © Glasitalia
Brushstroke by Nendo for Glasitalia.
MULTILAYERED
IDENTITY
Antique and known materials,
yet always new.
This time the challenge is
interesting: add layers, new
attributes and qualities to the
identity of the material, but
without hiding the same
identity.

1 2
34
MULTYLAYERED
IDENTITY
GlasItalia
The glass is shown with treatments where
traces of transparency and textures inspired by
other materials coexist.
1. Colorful glued glass furniture by Ronan + Erwan Bouroullec.
2. Brushstroke by Nendo.
3. Sublimazione Wood-textured Glass tables by Ron Gilad.
4. Sublimazione Wood-textured Glass tables by Ron Gilad.
All images © Glasitalia

all images © hiroshi iwasaki
MULTYLAYERED
IDENTITY
Print Chair
by Nendo.
A chair whose surface mixes two different patterns,
created by printing woodgrain patterns onto wood
with an already distinctive grain. Thanks to printing
technology it was possible make fine adjustments
like the scale, density and colours over and over,
bringing out the charm and attraction of natural
materials from a variety of angles.

Photo © Lisa Klappe
Re-viveCollection by Rens and Desso.
HARMONIC
VIBRATIONS
Monochromatic Harmony
Pale and Pastels
The evolution of the species to which we are
participating, has reached significant levels
in the world of color.
Dissatisfied and unable to assign,
as every year , the primacy of color trend,
we finally decided to change the point of
observation.
So, taking a broad perspective, we began to
think about colors to design atmospheres,
contexts, environments, and not individual
objects.
Maybe it did not go exactly this way, but the
final result could suggest just it:
Salone del Mobile has offered refined scenarios
of color calibration, monochromatic
harmonies, but rich with vibrations of small
differences.

1. Grafo Sofa system, Mia Armchair, Random Bookshelf, In motion
modular sysetm, MDF Italia
2. Lema collection 2014
3. Minotti collection 2014.
4. Cape Town, Cappellini at Salone .
1
4
3 2
Photo© Cappellini
Photo© Lorenzo Cappellini Baio
Photo© Minotti
HARMONIC
VIBRATIONS
Monochromatic
Harmony
Scenarios of furniture induce the visitor
to experience living atmospheres
and emotional contexts.
The feeling is being on a stage set,
decorated in neutral colors with objects
illuminated by a only one color.
Everything looks basically monochromatic
but vibrant of shades, lights and small
variations of tones.

All images © Cappellini
1. 2. Cape Town, Cappellini at Salone .
3. Normann Copenhagen, Onkel Sofa. Milano Salone 2014
1
2
HARMONIC
VIBRATIONS
Monochromatic
Harmony
3

1. Re-viveCollection by Rens and Desso.
2. Cappellini Stand with Cape armchair by Doshi Levien
3. HEAD students design conversation pieces for apartment full of
surprises.
4. Rita, the secret treasure, woven rug by Kasthall.
1 2
3
Photo © Lisa Klappe
Photo © Head Genève, Dylan Perrenoud4Photo © Kasthall
HARMONIC
VIBRATIONS
Monochromatic
Harmony

1. Haiku coffee table by Marco Zito, Saba Italia.
2. Flamingo console, Marco Guazzini.
3. Wheel, freestanding acoustic object , by GamFratesi, Offecct.
4. Thalia, colours range metal hood wall, Faber.
5. Thalia, metal hood wall, Faber.
6. Era chair, Normann Copenhagen.
1
2
35
6
4
Photo © SabaItalia
Photo © NormannCopenhagen
Photo © Archiproducts
Photo © BeppeBrancato
Photo © Archiproducts
HARMONIC
VIBRATIONS
Pale & Pastels
With backstory scenarios of neutral or near
neutral colors, in agreement with an
atmosphere of quiet harmony, were born
relaxing color palette and subtle tones.
Mostly light and delicate colors ,
harmonized with soft gray.
The maximum saturation does not exceed
light pastels, including rose, both tenuous
and powdery and more fresh and floral, that
seems to prevail over the other colors.

1. Chesto Armchair by Patrick Norguet, De Padova.
2. Muselet Collection, ceramic containers by Ilaria Innocenti, Incipit.
3. Bortotto e Zanellato, La Serenissima, Life, Moroso, Rubelli
4. da admin Drop Chair by Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen new edition.
5. A Bench Miriam Aust e Sebastian Amelung
1 2
35 4
Photo © IncipitLabPhoto © Archiportale
Photo © Minu Lee Photo © FritzHansen
HARMONIC
VIBRATIONS
Pale & Pastels

1Photo © VIA 2014 – Colombe Clier
4 3Photo © MAGIS Photo © Pedrali
1. Insulaire collection by Numéro111
2. Pinorama' by Inga Sempé, for Hay.
3. Laja Cantilever chair by Alessandro Busana, Pedrali.
4. Tibu stool, by Anderssen & Voll for Magis 2014.
5. Tonelli design Digit
2
5
HARMONIC
VIBRATIONS
Pale & Pastels

1
3
2Photo © DeaEva Photo © Vitra
Photo © Juli Daoust Baker 45
1. PINA vases, candle, holder by DeaEva.
2. Rotary Tray Tablett by Jasper Morrison, Vitra.
3. Sucabaruca coffeeset by Luca Nichetto, Mjölk.
4. Jo Nagasaka, To The Bench, Ichiro. Spazio Rossana Orlandi
HARMONIC
VIBRATIONS
Pale & Pastels

thank you

Milan design week report 2014

More Related Content

Similar to Milan design week report 2014 (20)

More from Design Group Italia (9)

Recently uploaded (20)

Milan design week report 2014