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WHEN THE MODERN IS CLASSIC Space Asia has introduced three brands that champion mid-century modern classic designs, Artek, ClassiCon, and Verpan. It is timely to revisit the lives and works of late iconic designers, Alvar Aalto, Eileen Gray, and Verner Panton.

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ISSUE 2 0 1 4 / 2 0 1 5

D E S I G N P O R T R A I T.

Michel, seat system design by Antonio Citterio. www.bebitalia.com

Singapore 77 Bencoolen St. Kuala Lumpur Level 3 The Intermark Jalan Tun Razak

Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane spacefurniture.asia

For more information, please contact the Miele Gallery: 167 Penang Road, #B1-01 Winsland House II, Singapore 238462.

Tel: +65 6735 1191 Email: info@miele.com.sg Website: www.miele.sg Webshop: www.webshop.miele.sg

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REDEFINE THE S YOU LIV

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Samsung UHD TV 65 HU 9000

Wall-mountable option available.

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MORE SPACE ASIA

Issue 15

2014/2015

CONTENTS 10

8

E D I T O R’ S N O T E

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C O N V E R S AT I O N A n g l o - I n d i a n d e s i g n d u o N i p a D o s h i a n d Jonathan Levien are th e fo unders o f U K- bas ed des ign stu di o Doshi Levien. A n appetite fo r cultural exper ience s i nspi red thei r new des igns fo r N anim arquina and B&B Ita li a.

12 publisher

S p a ce Fu r n i t u re P t e L t d a n d Space Furniture Collection Sdn Bhd publishing and c r e at i v e c o n s u lta n t

T h e P re s s R o o m

c r e at i v e d i r e ct o r

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Ke l l ey C h e n g editor

C h r i s t i n e L i ew graphic designer

C e l e s t i n e Ta n

design columnist

Heidi Dokulil

contributing writers

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Yo s h i M u h a m m a d K h a i r u l A n wa r contributing photographers

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Nurul Azyyati Bt. Mohd. Azmi Ja m i e Ye o Ad r i a n G a u t Heinonen Nina Merikallio B o S t ra n d e n Zakaria Zainal c o n t r i b u t i n g i l lu st r at o r s

A s h l ey G o h C e l e s t i n e Ta n

More Space Asia is a publication of Space Furniture Pte Ltd (Reg No. 200100785Z), 77 Bencoolen Street, Singapore 189653, Tel 65 6415 0000, and Space Furniture Collection Sdn Bhd (Bus Reg 751906-P), Lot 3-12 Intermark Mall, The Intermark, 348 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, Tel 603 2166 2212. © 2014 Space Furniture. Printing and colour separations by KHL Printing Co Ltd. No material may be reproduced without prior written permission. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the Publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences including loss or damage arising from reliance on information in this publication. All views expressed in this publication are not necessarily endorsed by the Publisher, Editor, Contributors or Space Furniture.

Space Furniture

Singapore 77 Bencoolen St Singapore 189653 +65 6415 0000

Kuala Lumpur Lot 3-12 Intermark Mall The Intermark 34 8 Jalan Tun Razak 50400 Kuala Lumpur +603 2166 2212 Sydney 84 O’Riordan St Alexandria NSW 2015 +61 2 8339 7588 Melbourne 629 Church St Richmond VIC 3121 +61 3 9426 3000

Brisbane 10 James St Fortitude QLD 4006 +61 7 3253 6000 spacefurniture.com

WHEN THE MODERN IS CLASSIC

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ISSUE 2 0 1 4 / 2 0 1 5

Space Asia has introduced three brands that champion mid-century modern classic designs, Artek, ClassiCon, and Verpan. It is timely to revisit the lives and works of late iconic designers, Alvar Aalto, Eileen Gray, and Verner Panton.

cover

“Zoom in”— S p o t o u r A a l t o, G ray, a n d Pa n t o n f av o u r i t e s.

I l l u s t ra t i o n b y A s h l ey G o h .

OPINION D e s i g n co l u m n i s t He i d i D o k u l i l co n s i d e rs t h e st a te o f d e s i g n co p y r i g h t l aw s i n te n d e d to p ro te c t f u r n i t u re d e s i g n e rs a n d a s k s i f 3 D p r i n t i n g te c h n o l og y p re s e n t s a n o p p o r t u n i ty o r a t h re a t to b i g f u r n i t u re co m p a n i e s a n d d e s i g n e rs to d ay.

DESIGN NEWS R o s s ella P ugliatti’s Move ro cking ar mchai r fo r Gio rg etti; Th e legacy o f BA B Italia’s late fou nder P iero A m brogio Bus nelli; Nendo ’s S U sto o l for Emeco; #S h o utOut to #Mo reS paceA s ia; Winners of Space Nu rtu res 2014 vis it Do m aine de Bo is buch et; Daniel L i beski nd’s S h ar p and Web co llectio ns fo r Po lifo r m and Varenna; A Life Individual; Kar tell’s precio us plastics showcase at Milan Fur niture Fair 2014 ; A nto nio C itter io’s Backstag e system fo r B&B Italia.

C OV E R ST O R Y WHEN THE MODERN IS CLASSIC A l va r A a l to, E i l e e n G ray, a n d Ve r n e r Pa n to n a re t h re e o f t h e m o s t i n f l u e n t i a l a n d d i st i n g u i s h e d m i d ce n t u r y m o d e r n d e s i g n e rs. Fu r n i t u re co m p a n i e s s u c h a s A r te k , C l a s s i C o n , a n d Ve r p a n co n t i n u e to p ro d u ce a n d re i n ve n t t h e i r wo r k s to d ay.

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DESIGN LIBRARY T h e 2 014/2 01 5 co l l e c t i o n s f ro m A r te k , Ka r te l l , N a n i m a rq u i n a , Ve r p a n , Vi t ra , G i o rg e tt i , B & B I t a l i a , C a r l H a n s e n & S ø n , C l a s s i C o n , E m e co, F l e x fo r m , Mo o o i , Po l i fo r m , F l o s, Ace r b i s, a n d Fi a m .

DESIGN ICON S o o K h i a n C h a n , fo u n d e r o f S C DA A rc h i te c t s, e x p l a i n s h i s a p p re c i a t i o n fo r t h e e rg o n o m i c a n d p o c k et S w i s s a r my k n i fe .

J O I N M A I L I N G L I ST To re ce i ve t h e l a te s t i n fo r m a t i o n o n o u r eve n t s, p ro d u c t a r r i va l s, d e s i g n n ew s, a n d s a l e s a n d p ro m ot i o n s, w r i te to i n fo @ s p a ce f u r n i t u re . co m . sg w i t h t h e s u b j e c t “Sign me up”.

T H E S I LV E R WA R E C O L L E C T I O N

2 9 0 O R C H A R D R OA D | # 0 1 - K1 PA R AG O N | S I N G A P O R E 2 3 8 8 59 T: 67 3 3 0 0 2 1 | E : PA R A G O N @ G E O R G J E N S E N . CO M . S G CO P E N H AG E N S TO C K H O L M N E W YO R K C H I C AG O H O N O LU LU H O N G KO N G TA I WA N J A PA N AU S T R A L I A GEORGJENSEN.COM

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Editor's Note

M i d - ce n t u r y f u r n i t u re c l a s s i cs h ave b e e n i n te g ra l to t h e S p a ce co l l e c t i o n s i n ce i t s f i rs t s h ow ro o m i n S yd n ey 1 9 9 3. S p a ce i s p l e a s e d to a d d to i t s co l l e c t i o n t h re e n ew b ra n d s t h a t h ave b u i l t t h e i r s u cce s s o n t h e s e c l a s s i cs. E a c h i s c l o s e l y a s s o c i a te d w i t h o n e o f t h e p e r i o d ’s i co n i c m o d e r n d e s i g n e rs : A r te k w i t h A l va r A a l to ( 1 8 9 8 –1 9 76 ) ; C l a s s i C o n w i t h E i l e e n G ray ( 1 8 7 8 –1 9 76 ) ; a n d Ve r p a n w i t h Ve r n e r Pa n to n ( 1 92 6 –1 9 9 8 ) .

C o - fo u n d e d b y A l va r A a l to i n 1 9 3 5, A r te k a d vo ca te s t h e va l u e s t h a t t h e Fi n n i s h a rc h i te c t c h a m p i o n e d i n h i s h u m a n - ce n t re d a rc h i te c t u re : f u n c t i o n a l i ty, t i m e l e s s a e s t h e t i cs, a n d s u s t a i n a b i l i ty.

To d ay, A r te k p a r t n e rs w i t h co n te m p o ra r y d e s i g n e rs s u c h a s He l l a Jo n g e r i u s to re i n te r p re t i t s c l a s s i cs a n d m a n u f a c t u re n ew co l l e c t i o n s. I t a l s o s e a rc h e s fo r n ew a n d m o re s u s t a i n a b l e m a te r i a l s, s u c h a s t h e wo o d - p l a st i c co m p o s i te i n S h i g e r u B a n ’s 1 0 Un i t S y s te m .

Fo u n d e d i n 1 9 9 0, G e r m a n b ra n d C l a s s i C o n i s a p re m i u m m a n u f a c t u re r o f m o d e r n c l a s s i c f u r n i t u re o f I r i s h - b o r n E i l e e n G ray a n d o t h e r twe n t i e t h - ce n t u r y i co n s. C l a s s i C o n d e f i n e s c l a s s i cs b y t h e i r t i m e l e s s q u a l i ty a n d a e s t h e t i c . T h e b ra n d a l s o a c t ive ly p a r t n e rs w i t h co n te m p o ra r y y o u n g e r d e s i g n e rs, fo r e x a m p l e M u n i c h d e s i g n e r Ko n s t a n t i n G rc i c , to d e s i g n t h e c l a s s i cs o f to m o r row.

B a s e d i n D e n m a r k , t h e b i r t h p l a ce o f Ve r n e r Pa n to n , Ve r p a n h o n o u rs t h e v i s i o n a r y d e s i g n s o f Pa n to n w i t h s e n s i t ive re p ro d u c t i o n s. Pa n to n ’s g o a l o f e l eva t i n g s u r ro u n d i n g s a n d p e o p l e ’s e x p e r i e n ce s i s Ve r p a n ’s g u i d i n g p r i n c i p l e . C a re f u l l y b a l a n c i n g q u a l i ty a n d o r i g i n a l i ty, Ve r p a n g i ve s Pa n to n ’s d e s i g n s a co n te m p o ra r y to u c h , s u c h a s a n ew ve rs i o n o f t h e 1 2 3 L o u n g e C h a i r i n m o u l d e d fo a m r u b b e r i n s te a d o f u p h o l s te re d s te e l fo r a d d e d co m fo r t .

L i k e t h e i r d e s i g n s, t h e s to r i e s o f t h e s e d e s i g n e rs co n t i n u e to e n t h ra l l to d ay, e s p e c i a l l y G ray, w h o st a n d s o u t a s a re c l u s ive i n d e p e n d e n t fe m a l e d e s i g n e r i n a m a l e - d o m i n a te d i n d u st r y a n d i s g row i n g i n p ro m i n e n ce . A a l to ’s co m p a s s i o n a n d i d e a l s h ave n eve r b e e n m o re c r i t i ca l to to d ay ’s e n v i ro n m e n t a l a g e n d a , w h i l e Pa n to n ’s l i b e ra te d co n ce p t i o n s a re f u l l y e m b ra ce d b y t h e s m o ot h ve c to r l i n e s of the digital age.

I n D e s i g n L i b ra r y, a d d i t i o n s to S p a ce A s i a ’s co l l e c t i o n i n c l u d e i co n i c p i e ce s f ro m t h e a rc h i ve s o f A a l to, G ray, a n d Pa n to n . A n ot h e r “ n ew c l a s s i c ” i s G a e t a n o Pe s ce ’s 1 9 6 9 U P 5 _ 6 a r m c h a i r re i s s u e d a s t h e k i d s - f r i e n d l y U P Ju n i o r b y B & B I t a l i a i n 2 014 . O t h e r h i g h l i g h t s i n c l u d e G i o rg e t t i ’s M ove ro c k i n g a r m c h a i r, Ka r te l l ’s Un c l e Ja c k b y P h i l i p p e S t a rc k , a n d m o re f ro m C a r l H a n s e n & S ø n , N a n i m a rq u i n a , Vi t ra , E m e co, F l e x fo r m , M o o o i , F l o s, Ace r b i s, a n d Fi a m .

photography

Artek B&B Italia Ve r p a n

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I n 2 0 1 4 , A r t e k ’s n ew a r t d i re c t o r H e l l a Jo n g e r i u s re i n t e r p re t e d A l v a r A a l t o ’s 4 0 0 a n d 4 0 1 a r m c h a i rs.

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G a e t a n o Pe s ce ’s 1 9 6 9 U P 5 _ 6 a r m c h a i r re i s s u e d a s t h e k i d s - f r i e n d l y U P J u n i o r b y B&B Italia in 2014.

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Ve r p a n ’s C l ov e r l e a f s o f a b y Ve r n e r Pa n t o n i n t h e S p a ce s h ow ro o m i n S y d n ey.

Ve r p a n i s o n e o f t h e n ew b ra n d s c a r r i e d b y S p a ce A s i a H u b.

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For more information, please visit www.gaggenau.com or visit Space Furniture at 77 Bencoolen Street, Level 4, ‘Gaggenau Live Kitchen’, Singapore 189653.

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THE P OWER OF P LU R A L I S M interview i l lu st r at i o n

Yo s h i A s h l ey G o h

Convers ation

Nipa Doshi and Jonat han Levien met as st u den t s at t he Royal Colleg e of Art in London an d set u p Doshi Levien in 2000. T he st udio’s design s em bo dy t he duo’s aest het ics of care and plurality. Wi t , imaginat ion, and sensit ivity to t he part ic u l a r i t i es o f different c ult ures are t rademarks. From t h e A l m o ra c hair for B&B It alia to t he Ice Moon ice c rea m cake for Häag en-Daz s, t heir work provides n ew ways of encountering diverse visual c ult u res a n d materialit ies, new ways of engaging wit h t h e wo r l d.

Y: W h a t we r e yo u r g o a l s w h e n yo u st a r t e d t h e st u d i o?

N D: I co m e f ro m Indi a and Jo nath an, S cotland. We were interested in br inging tog ether not just vis ual inf luences b u t also ways o f living f ro m dif ferent parts of th e wo r ld and dif ferent methods of m anuf actur ing and to create a new hy br id, a new ty po logy of produ cts, s paces, and ways o f b ei ng.

C a n yo u d e s c r i b e yo u r wo r k p r o c e s s ?

N D: W h en we start a project, we tr y to define th e universe for a space o r an o bject. It star ts very mu ch wi th a co nversatio n, a feeling, and tryi ng to capture its es s ence. At that poi nt, i t’s still o pen and f ree. We often look at fine ar t, fo r example, pai nti ngs and s culpture, a nd we travel a lot and we s ee a lot of thi ngs.

Th en I star t to sketch. From th e co lo urs to the materi ali ty, ever y th ing is determi ned th ro ugh th at process of drawi ng and m aking a co llag e.

JL: My appro ach i s more co ncer ned w it h the physi cali ty o f the thi ng. I tend to make prototypes and mock-u ps; that’s my way of sketchi ng and g etting to the essence o f th e idea.

MORE SPACE ASIA

I n oti c e d the p i c t u re o f a fo l d e d p ap e r m od el on you r we b s i te , f o r the A l m o ra ar m c h ai r fo r B & B I t a li a .

N D : We were t h i n ki n g ve r y m u ch a bo u t creating a c hair th at feel s l ike a spa ce , ve r y se n su a l , ve r y cl o s e to yo ur bod y. We imagi n ed a pr iva te ch a i r bu t a l so a ch a i r th at’s lived in us ed b y t h e fa m i ly.

J L: To s ee t h e ch a i r a s a co m po si t i o n o f su r f aces over lapp in g, t h at was t h e co re i de a o f i t . T h e h e a drest is this vert ical l arg e s u r f a ce t h a t ’s ki n d o f cra dl i ng yo u.

We wa n ted it to h ave a prote ct ive e l e m e n t , bu t a l so be op en. A l t h ough you a re e m b ra ce d, yo u a re a l so ve r y m uch eng ag ed wi t h your s u r ro u n di n g s.

W h a t wa s t h e o r i g i n o f t h e R a b a r i r u g s d e s i g n e d f o r Na n i m a r q u i n a?

N D : My aun t h a d a wo r ksh o p i n In di a w h e re th ere were ab ou t 5 0 p eop l e si tt i n g o n t h e f l o o r w i t h a l l th e d iffere n t comp on en t s o f se q u i n s, m i r ro rs, a n d t h reads, working on h u g e emb ro i de r i e s fo r b e dspre a ds a n d ta p estr ies. We wan te d o u r co l l e ct i o n fo r N a n i m a rquina to re fere n ce un fin i s h ed e m b ro i de r i e s, l i ke st u di e s o f dif ferent techn iqu es in p rogress, a s t h ey g ra du a l ly e m e rg e over time . Th e s p on t an eou s co m po si t i o n s o f t h e r u g s em bo dy the s eren d i p ity an d fre e do m to i m prov i se i n h e re nt in each step o f a h an d mad e p i e ce . T h ey a re j oy f u l , i r reve rent, and un ique .

J L: E ac h k n ot i s a n o ppo r t u n i ty to do so m eth ing d iffere n t , wh i c h i s an i n cre di bl e i de a i t se l f .

N D : I p e rs o n a l l y l ove t h e p re c i s i o n o f t h e h a n d m a d e .

We l ive i n a ve r y r i c h wo r l d w h e re m a n y d i f fe re n t c u l t u re s a n d co u n t r i e s h ave t h e i r ow n m a te r i a l c u l t u re s. T h ey h ave t h e i r ow n h i s to r i e s, te c h n i q u e s, te x t i l e s, a n d a r te f a c t s.

I re a l ly l i k e t h i s i d e a t h a t we n e e d to ce l e b ra te d e s i g n co m i n g f ro m d i f fe re n t p a r t s o f t h e wo r l d , n o t j u s t f ro m E u ro p e a n d t h e Un i te d S t a te s. T h i s s e e m s to b e a d e f i n i n g a e st h et i c o f co n te m p o ra r y d e s i g n .

I f yo u we re to l o o k a t R a b a r i a n d A l m o ra , y o u wo u l d n ’ t t h i n k t h ey ca m e f ro m t h e sa m e st u d i o, y e t t h i s i s s o m et h i n g we re a l l y e n j oy. We a re co n st a n t l y evo l v i n g i n t h e p i e ce s we a re d o i n g . We m u st re m a i n o p e n to e m b ra ce n ew i d e a s a n d b e i n s p i re d b y t h e wo r l d a ro u n d u s.

Wo ul d yo u l i ke t o say s o m et h ing ab o u t t h e meet i ng o f the l o c a l a n d the g l o bal i n yo u r wo r k?

N D : For me, glo b a l i sa t i o n i s a po si t ive t h i ng.

Glo bali sat ion is t h e re a so n I a m h e re [ i n L o n do n ] and am able to d o t h e work t h a t I do w i t h Jo n a t h a n . It ’s a bo ut th e em erg en ce of n ew eco n o m i e s, t h e sh i f t i n g b a l a n ce o f th e world , an d acces s to i de a s a n d cu l t u re s. It a l l ows fo r better un d erst an d in g b etwee n pe o pl e . A s a de si g n e r, I fi nd it really exc iting b ecau s e you a re n ot l i m i te d by w h a t yo u know and wh ere you come f ro m . Wh e n I t h i n k o f l o ca l now, it’s beco me more ab ou t yo u r n e i g h bo u r h o o d a n d co m m unity, abo ut a u t h en t ic ity, ra t h e r t h a n a b o u t a co u n t r y.

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Quite often we are imagining t h e s a m e i d e a d i f f e r e n t l y, which is what makes it layered and plural in the end.

W h a t a r e yo u r n ew p r o j e c t s ?

N D : T h i s y e a r, we s p e n t a l o t o f t i m e wo r k i n g o n l i m i te d - e d i t i o n p i e ce s fo r G a l l e r i e K re o i n Pa r i s.

T h e co l l e c t i o n h a s a b o u t s eve n p i e ce s i n h o m a g e to C h a n d i g a r h , t h e c i ty b u i l t b y L e C o r b u s i e r i n I n d i a .

We a re a l s o wo r k i n g o n a s e r i e s o f f a b r i cs fo r Kva d ra t , a n ew co l l e c t i o n o f o u td o o r f u r n i t u re , a s o f a fo r Mo ro s o, a n d s o m e n ew p i e ce s fo r B & B I t a l i a . We l a u n c h e d a l o t o f p i e ce s i n 2 014 , s o n e x t ye a r i t w i l l a l s o b e a b o u t co n s o l i d a t i n g s o m e o f t h o s e co l l e c t i o n s.

I n d e s i g n , y o u h ave to co n s i d e r t h e wo r k t h a t yo u’re d o i n g . Yo u h ave to re a l l y m a k e i t co u n t . I n s o m e way s, d e s i g n h a s e x p l o d e d . I t s e e m s l i k e eve r y d ay s o m e o n e i s c re a t i n g s o m e t h i n g , b u t i t ’s i m p o r t a n t to d o p i e ce s t h a t a re g o i n g to b e a ro u n d fo r a ve r y l o n g t i m e . T h a t ’s ve r y i m p o r t a n t to u s.

W h a t h a p p e n s w h e n b ot h o f yo u d i s a g r e e?

N D : O h , we j u s t d i s a g re e . We d i s a g re e o p e n ly.

J L : We h ave to m a k e t h e s t ro n g e s t ca s e p o s s i b l e fo r o u r i d e a s. We h ave to f i g h t fo r o u r i d e a s a m o n g o u rs e lve s.

N D : We f i g h t fo r a l i t t l e b i t , a n d t h e n we h ave to p ro d u ce i t , s o we m ove o n . I t ’s n o r m a l . D i sa g re e i n g i s p a r t o f t h e p ro ce s s a c t u a l l y, i t ’s n o t t h e e n d o f a p ro ce s s ; i t ’s n o t t h e s to p i n t h e p ro ce s s. I t ’s n o t p o s s i b l e fo r two c re a t i ve p e o p l e to t h i n k i n t h e s a m e way, a n d t h e re wo u l d be no point in that.

J L : Q u i te o f te n we a re i m a g i n i n g t h e sa m e i d e a d i f fe re n t l y, w h i c h i s w h a t m a k e s i t l ay e re d a n d p l u ra l i n t h e e n d .

N D : I ’m a l way s r i g h t .

J L : T h a t ’s o n e t h i n g we ca n d i s a g re e o n .

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O p ini o n

D e s i g n r i g h t s s t a r t e d i n t h e Un i t e d K i n g d o m i n 1 7 8 7 w i t h t h e D e s i g n i n g a n d P r i n t i n g o f L i n e n Ac t . L a s t y e a r t h e U K g ove r n m e n t a n n o u n ce d c h a n g e s i n t h e l aw t h a t wo u l d e x te n d co p y r i g h t p ro t e c t i o n o f “ a r t i s t i c ” m a n u f a c t u re d g o o d s f ro m t h e c u r re n t 2 5 y e a rs t o t h e l i fe o f t h e c re a to r p l u s 7 0 y e a rs. B u t co p y r i g h t p ro t e c t i o n fo r m a n u f a c t u re d d e s i g n s i s n o t a u t o m a t i c i n ev e r y co u n t r y ( o r a s g e n e ro u s ) . E x p l o d i n g i n t h e l a s t f i v e y e a rs, 3 D p r i n t i n g i s w i d e l y s p r u i k e d t o p l a ce m a n u f a c t u r i n g i n t h e h a n d s o f eve r y o n e . O n t h e c u s p o f t h e n e x t i n d u s t r i a l rev o l u t i o n , w h a t d o e s t h i s m e a n fo r t h e d e s i g n e r ?

to t h e re a l t h i n g , s o t h e g e n e ra l p u b l i c , a n d t h e m e d i a to o, a re o f te n b l i s s f u l l y u n awa re o f w h a t t h ey h av e b e e n s o l d . A n d w e a re t a l k i n g a b o u t co p i e s o f n o t o n l y m i d ce n t u r y p i e ce s h e re , b u t a l s o d e s i g n s b y l i v i n g , b re a t h i n g d e s i g n e rs w h o h ave n o t g i ve n t h e o k ay, e a r n n o roya l t i e s, a n d re l y o n t h e i n co m e f ro m w o r k t h a t m i g h t h ave t a k e n 1 0 y e a rs to d eve l o p. S o i t ’s i m p e ra t i ve fo r d e s i g n e rs to p ro te c t t h e i r wo r k t h ro u g h i n te l l e c t u a l p ro p e r ty ( I P ) re g i s t ra t i o n u n d e r t h e D e s i g n s Ac t . T h i s p ro te c t i o n l e g a l l y p ro te c t s t h e m f ro m a l l co p i e rs, w h e t h e r a f a c to r y i n C h i n a o r a 3 D p r i n te r i n s o m e o n e ’s l o u n g e ro o m .

Up u n t i l n ow, t h e d o m a i n o f h i g h - e n d f u r n i t u re m a n u f a c t u re h a s b e e n h e l d f i r m l y i n t h e h a n d s o f m u l t i m i l l i o n d o l l a r f a c to r i e s ow n e d b y l e a d i n g f u r n i t u re

B a s e d i n M e l b o u r n e , I P l aw y e r Ja m e s S a m a rg i s i s w e l l ve rs e d i n t h e p l i g h t o f t h e d e s i g n e r. “ I t t a k e s s o l o n g t o f i n d y o u r c re a t i v e v o i ce a n d h av i n g fo u n d i t

C O P Y R I G H T, THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME words i l lu st r at i o n

Heidi Dokulil C e l e s t i n e Ta n

1 2

1 2

Fo llow i n g t h e e m erg ence of o p e n - s o u rce d e sign , is 3 D p rin ting te c hnol og y a n o p p ortunity or a thre a t to d e s i g ners a n d f urniture co m p a n i e s to d ay ? co m p a n i e s l i k e Vi t ra , B & B I t a l i a , K a r t e l l , a n d M o o o i . To m a k e i t a s a d e s i g n e r o n t h e i n te r n a t i o n a l s t a g e re q u i re s a m u c h - cove te d co n t ra c t , a n d w i t h i t o f t e n co m e s a cce s s to i n n ova t i o n b ey o n d y o u r w i l d e s t d re a m s. T h e s e co m p a n i e s i n v e s t i n t h e o r i g i n a l a n d o f t e n d i f f i c u l t - t o - m a k e i d e a s, a n d to d o t h a t y o u m u s t i n v e s t i n t h e n ew e s t t e c h n o l o g i e s o r i n ve n t t h e m y o u rs e l f . T h a t ’s h ow a co m p a n y l i k e B & B I t a l i a , fo r e x a m p l e , p ro d u ce d t h e g ro u n d b re a k i n g 1 9 6 9 U P c h a i r f ro m a i r - s e n s i t i v e e x p a n d a b l e fo a m , a n d t h e 2 0 1 2 H u s k c h a i r t h a t u s e s b o t h re c y c l a b l e a n d re c y c l e d m a te r i a l s w i t h i n te rc h a n g e a b l e p a r t s a n d co n f i g u ra t i o n s.

T h e n y o u h ave t h e d a r k e r s i d e o f t h e i n d u s t r y, t h e f a k e s a n d co p i e s w i d e l y k n ow n a s “ re p l i c a ” f u r n i t u re .

The knock-off industry is fast gaining momentum in the A s i a - Pa c i f i c re g i o n , w h e re t h e l aw s a re o f te n n o t a s w i d e l y p ro te c t i ve , a n d p ro d u c t s a re ( u s u a l l y ) c h e a p e r. T h ey a re a l s o c u n n i n g l y m a r k e t e d t o fe e l l e g i t i m a te a n d co n n e c te d

a n d e x p re s s e d i t , i t i s t h e f i r s t t h i n g t h a t i s c o p i e d .

T h e f re e d o m o f 3 D p r i n t i n g u s i n g o p e n - s o u rc e s o f t wa re d o e s n o t m e a n t h a t a p e r s o n w i t h a 3 D p r i n t e r h a s c a r t e b l a n c h e t o co p y ! T h i s n ew t e c h n o l o g y h a s m a d e co p y i n g e a s y b u t i t d o e s n ’ t m a k e i t co r re c t t o d o s o.

Yo u c a n n o t co p y s o m e t h i n g t h a t i s s u b j e c t t o c o p y r i g h t p ro t e c t i o n a n d i n d e e d y o u c a n n o t co p y s o m e t h i n g w i t h re g i s t e re d d e s i g n p ro t e c t i o n w i t h o u t a p e r m i s s i o n o r a l i ce n ce t o d o s o.”

S o, i s 3 D p r i n t i n g n o t a t e c h n o l o g y t h a t w i l l re p l a ce t h e i n d u s t r y a s w e k n ow i t , b u t a n i n n ov a t i o n t h a t w i l l h e l p d e s i g n e r s a n d m a n u f a c t u re rs t o “ o u t d e s i g n ” t h e co p i e r s ? T h e p o t e n t i a l o f c u s t o m i s a t i o n i t o f f e r s h a s e xc i t i n g p o s s i b i l i t i e s , s o t h e n e x t s t e p i s m a s t e r i n g n ew s k i l l s i n t u n e w i t h t h e l a t e s t s o f t wa re a n d t e c h n o l o g y.

A t M o o o i i n H o l l a n d , i n - h o u s e l aw y e r B e n H u i t e m a i s o p t i m i s t i c a b o u t s u c h d ev e l o p m e n t s . “A l t h o u g h t h e i m p a c t t h a t o p e n - s o u rce d e s i g n s o f twa re m ay h av e o n o u r a c t i v i t i e s i s s t i l l u n c l e a r, t h i s m ay b e a n i n t e re s t i n g d ev e l o p m e n t a n d , w h o k n ow s , m ay ev e n h av e p o s i t i v e e f f e c t s o n co m p a n i e s l i k e M o o o i . O n e s h o u l d n o t b e a f ra i d . H i s t o r y p rov e s t h a t m o s t n ew d ev e l o p m e n t s a l s o c re a t e n ew o p p o r t u n i t i e s .”

p.c. studio - photo tommaso sartori

MAXALTO IS A B&B ITALIA BRAND. COLLECTION COORDINATED BY ANTONIO CITTERIO. WWW.MAXALTO.IT

Singapore 77 Bencoolen St. Kuala Lumpur Level 3 The Intermark Jalan Tun Razak

Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane spacefurniture.asia

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Design News

A GRACEFUL MOVE m a n u fa c t u r e r

Giorgetti

design

M ov e ro c k i n g a r m c h a i r

designer

Rossella Pugliatti

year

2014

D i s t i n g u i s h e d b y i t s d e l i c i o u s c u r ve s, R o s s e l l a P u g l i a tt i ’s n ew M ove ro c k i n g a r m c h a i r fo r G i o rg e t t i i s a s i n v i t i n g a s i n t r i g u i n g .

S i m i l a r to t h e s i n u o u s f ra m e o f t h e H u g a r m c h a i r d e s i g n e d b y P u g l i a t t i fo r G i o rg e t t i l a s t ye a r, t h e M ove ro c k i n g a r m c h a i r i s m o re f ra m e t h a n c u s h i o n t h i s t i m e . W h i l e m o s t ro c k i n g c h a i rs te n d to b e b o t to m - h e av y fo r a d d e d s t a b i l i ty, M ove s u cce e d s w i t h a n a t h l et i c , l e a n , a n d l i g h twe i g h t s t r u c t u re .

H a rd l y re s e m b l i n g t h e t ra d i t i o n a l c h a i r, M ove ’s i n n ova t i ve a n a to m y co m p r i s e s t h e o rg a n i ca l l y s h a p e d wo o d e n f ra m e —w h i c h i s co m p o s e d o f two i n d e p e n d e n t s i m i l a r p a r t s — a n d p a d d i n g fo r t h e s e a t a n d b a c k . Wi t h n o v i s i b l e j o i n t s, t h e c h a i r s e e m s to b e h e l d to g e t h e r b y s h e e r c l eve r co n s t r u c t i o n . T h e c u s h i o n e d co m p o n e n t re s t s o n b o t h p a r t s o f t h e f ra m e , w h i c h o t h e r w i s e s u r p r i s i n g ly d o n ot i n te rs e c t e xce pt a t t h e b a s e o f t h e c h a i r — a te s t a m e n t to G i o rg ett i ’s f i n e wo r k m a n s h i p.

S o l i d a s h t i m b e r i s u s e d fo r t h e f ra m e ’s two p a r t s b e ca u s e o f i t s m a l l e a b i l i ty a n d st re n g t h .

Neve r t h e l e s s, M ove wa s s t i l l a te c h n i ca l c h a l l e n g e fo r G i o rg e t t i to p ro d u ce . I m p o s s i b l e to d i s ce r n , t h e two p a r t s o f t h e f ra m e a re a c t u a l l y s e a m l e s s l y co m p o s e d o f 3 0 p i e ce s, ca p a b l e o f w i t h s t a n d i n g 1 1 0 k i l og ra m s o f we i g h t . T h e c h a i r i s ava i l a b l e i n t h re e f i n i s h e s : n a t u ra l , a n t h ra c i te g rey, a n d p a i n te d wa l n u t , w h i l e t h e c u s h i o n ’s n o n re m ova b l e u p h o l s te r y i s ava i l a b l e i n f a b r i c o r l e a t h e r.

A rc h i te c t u ra l l y t ra i n e d P u g l i a tt i ’s co l l a b o ra t i o n w i t h m a n u f a c t u re r G i o rg e tt i to re a l i s e t h i s m a s te r p i e ce i s p e r fe c t .

Fo u n d e d i n 1 8 9 8 a s a ca b i n et m a k e r, G i o rg e t t i h a s ove r 1 0 0 ye a rs o f a r t i sa n a l t ra d i t i o n w i t h wo o d . M ove f i t s co m fo r t a b ly a m o n g G i o rg e t t i ’s co l l e c t i o n s, w h i c h h ave l o n g b e e n i n s p i re d b y t h e b e a u ty o f n a t u ra l m a te r i a l s, b u t a l s o s t a n d s o u t fo r i t s st ro n g ly co n te m p o ra r y a e s t h e t i c . photography

giorgetti.eu s p a c e f u r n i t u re . a s i a

Giorgetti

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M ov e ro c k i n g a r m c h a i r w i t h o u t t h e p a d d e d s e a t .

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M ov e i s co m p o s e d o f t w o i n d e p e n d e n t s i m i l a r w o o d e n f ra m e s , s e a m l e s s l y j o i n e d f ro m 3 0 s e p a ra t e p a r t s .

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FOUNDING THE I TA L I A N DESIGN HOUSE c o m pa n y

B&B Italia (est 1966) founder

P i e ro A m b ro g i o B u s n e l l i

Design News

When B&B Italia’s late founder Piero Ambrogio Busnelli passed on in January 2014, he left behind a global legacy of not only his company, founded in 1966, but also in Italian furniture design history that he helped to write by founding the modern Italian design house.

B o r n i n 1 92 6, B u s n e l l i g rew u p i n M e d a , B r i a n z a , a n a re a d i st i n g u i s h e d i n I t a ly fo r i t s h e r i t a g e a n d t ra d i t i o n i n f u r n i t u re c ra f t . H i s f i rst b u s i n e s s wa s a n a r m c h a i r m a n u f a c t u r i n g co m p a n y fo u n d e d i n 1 9 5 2 , w h i c h h i s b ro t h e r j o i n e d l a te r. T h i s wa s a l s o t h e t i m e w h e n h e s t a r te d to q u e s t i o n t h e p ro d u c t i o n p ro ce s s e s o f t h e d ay a n d s aw t h e a d va n t a g e s o f m o d e r n i s i n g i t . T h e d ete r m i n e d e n t re p re n e u r wa s a s e l f - m a d e d e s i g n e r f ro m co u n t l e s s eve n i n g s o f re s e a rc h a n d e x p e r i m e n t s — p a r t i c u l a r l y i n p o l y u re t h a n e fo a m , to d ay co m m o n l y u s e d i n u p h o l s te re d p a d d e d f u r n i t u re — i n s e a rc h o f a n ew revo l u t i o n a r y m a te r i a l .

A m a n o f g re a t co u ra g e , B u s n e l l i a t 4 0 y e a rs o l d d i d n ot h e s i t a te to l e ave t h e s t a b i l i ty o f t h e b u s i n e s s w i t h h i s b rot h e r i n 1 9 6 6 to p u rs u e h i s d re a m o f a n “ i n d u s t r y o f d e s i g n ” a n d g re a te r a m b i t i o n to e x p o r t wo r l d w i d e . A we e k l a te r, a n o p p o r t u n i ty a ro s e w h e n h e c re a te d C & B I t a l i a w i t h C e s a re C a s s i n a , co - fo u n d e r o f C a s s i n a , o n e o f t h e m o s t p re s t i g i o u s f u r n i t u re co m p a n i e s t h e n i n M e d a .

W h i l e B u s n e l l i fo u n d s u p p o r t fo r h i s i d e a s, C e sa re fo u n d a v i s i o n a r y to h e l p h i m a d va n ce C a s s i n a ’s o l d m e t h o d s. L i k e m o s t m e d i u m - s i z e d I t a l i a n f u r n i t u re m a n u f a c t u re rs i n t h e 1 9 6 0 s, C a s s i n a t h e n s t i l l re l i e d o n t h e s k i l l a n d n u m b e rs o f t ra d i t i o n a l c ra f t s m e n a n d s p e c i a l i s e d i n re p ro d u c t i o n f u r n i t u re .

In S eptem ber, C &B Italia was a ref res h ing entrant in its first year at th e Milan Fur niture Fair, w h ere it pres ented fo ur new prototy pes co nceived by des igners. Th is h eralded a new era o f creative par tners h ip welco m ed by des igners to o. Th e po s itive receptio n to th e first prototy pes, including Mar io Bellini’s A m anta s o f a and To bia S car pa’s C o ro nado s o f a, was fo llowed by th e m ove to a bigg er, m o re s o ph isticated f acto r y.

Inaugurated in 19 6 8, th e plant was nam ed th e wo r ld’s m o st h igh ly auto m ated f ur niture f acto r y in 19 6 9. Its cuttingedg e capabilities included th e 5 0 0 - to n pres s beh ind A m anta, po ly ureth ane fo am equipm ent, and auto m atic s o r ting and cutting o f f abr ic.

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b e b i t a l i a . co m s p a c e f u r n i t u re . a s i a

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T h e l a te fo u n d e r o f B & B I t a l i a P i e ro A m b rog i o B u s n e l l i p i o n e e re d l a rg e - s ca l e co l d fo a m m o u l d i n g i n I t a l i a n f u r n i t u re d e s i g n ; C o ro n a d o s o f a , 1 9 6 6, b y A f ra a n d To b a S ca r p a ; L e B a m b o l e s o f a , 1 9 7 2 , b y M a r i o B e l l i n i , re i s s u e d i n re d i n 2 0 0 7; C a n a st a , 2 0 0 7, b y Pa t r i c i a Urq u i o l a .

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B u s n e l l i ’s b i g g e s t c re d i t i s re fo r m i n g a handcrafted industry with large-scale cold polyurethane fo a m m o u l d i n g fo r p a d d e d f u r n i s h i n g . C o ro n a d o a n d A m a n t a ’s te c h n i ca l a n d co m m e rc i a l s u cce s s co n v i n ce d raw m a te r i a l p ro d u ce rs, s u c h a s p o l y u re t h a n e fo a m m a n u f a c t u re r B ay e r, to ca r r y o u t j o i n t te c h n i ca l re s e a rc h c l o s e l y w i t h t h e f i r m . T h e co n t r i b u t i o n s o f d e s i g n e rs, f ro m t h e C a s t i g l i o n i s to G i o Po n t i , we re a l s o n o l e s s c r u c i a l . T h e te c h n i q u e o f va c u u m - co m p re s s i n g p o l y u re t h a n e d eve l o p e d w i t h G a e t a n o Pe s ce l e d to t h e 1 9 6 9 U P ra n g e , w h i l e s o p h i s t i ca te d g ra d e d fo a m e n a b l e d t h e 1 9 7 2 Le Bambole by Bellini. Soon, te n s i o n s s u r f a ce d a s C & B I t a l i a b e g a n to r i va l i t s p a re n t co m p a n y, C a s s i n a . T h ey we re re s o l ve d w h e n B u s n e l l i to o k ove r C a s s i n a ’s s t a k e co m p l e te l y.

In 19 73, C &B Italia was renam ed B&B Italia.

With B&B Italia’s independence, Bus nelli o rch estrated th e restr uctur ing o f i ts research centre and m anag em ent. B&B Italia m oved i nto i ts present h eadquar ters des igned by R enzo P iano and Ri chard R og ers. A sales strategy was fo r m ulated to bri ng the brand to A m er ica, Japan, Ger m any, and beyo nd. T he company launch ed yet m o re ico nic f ur niture s uch as Si samo wardro be, S ity s o f a, and C h ar les s o f a, s upporti ng a new g eneratio n o f des igners like A nto nio C itter i o, Patri ci a Urquio la, Pao lo P iva, N aoto Fukasawa, and others. In 1 989, B&B Italia was th e first co m pany to receive a Compasso d’Oro Award, th e m o st prestigio us Italian desi gn award.

S i n ce t h e 1 9 7 0 s, B u s n e l l i ’s t h re e s o n s, G i o rg i o, G i a n ca r l o, a n d E m a n u e l e , h ave h e l p e d h i m to g row t h e co m p a n y. I n 1 9 7 5, t h e a cq u i s i t i o n o f a s m a l l wo o d wo r k i n g f i r m l e d to M a x a l to, B & B I t a l i a ’s s i ste r b ra n d .

I n 1 9 9 0, a t a g e 6 5, B u s n e l l i b rave l y l e a p t i n to i n te r i o rs fo r c r u i s e l i n e rs, i n a d d i t i o n to t h e co m p a n y ’s o f f i ce a n d co n t ra c t d iv i s i o n s t h e n . To d ay t h e s e co n d g e n e ra t i o n o f B u s n e l l i s co n t i n u e s to f ly t h e “ M a d e i n I t a l y ” f l a g . Fro m ce m e n t - f i n i s h e d t i m b e r - to p p e d st r u c t u ra l p o l y u re t h a n e fo a m ( i n To s h i - I s h i t a b l e ) to o u td o o r h a n d wove n n a t u ra l - l o o k i n g p o l y e t h y l e n e f i b re ( i n C a n a s t a co l l e c t i o n ) , B & B I t a l i a ’s C e n t re o f D e s i g n & R e s e a rc h i s w h e re m u c h o f i t s m a g i c is sparked. photography

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B&B Italia

Pa p i l i o c h a i r, 2 01 0, b y N a oto Fu k a sawa ; Tu f ty Ti m e s o f a , 2 0 0 5, b y Pa t r i c i a Urq u i o l a ; U P 5 _ 6 a r m c h a i r a n d fo o t sto o l , 1 9 6 9, b y G a e t a n o Pe s ce , re i s s u e d a s a k i d s - s i z e d ve rs i o n U P Ju n i o r i n 2 014 ; B e n d s o f a , 2 01 0, b y Pa t r i c i a Urq u i o l a ; S i ty s o f a , 1 9 8 6 ; b y A n to n i o C i t te r i o.

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DELIGHT T H AT L ASTS m a n u fa c t u r e r

Emeco

design

SU stools designer

Nendo year

2014

B o r n f ro m t h e p a r t n e rs h i p b e twe e n s u s t a i n a b l e A m e r i ca n c h a i r m a n u f a c t u re r E m e co a n d Ja p a n e s e d e s i g n f i r m Ne n d o, S U sto o l s a re co n ce i ve d a s h i g h l y s u s t a i n a b l e a n d d e l i g h t f u l o b j e c t s. N a m e d a f te r t h e Ja p a n e s e wo rd s u , w h i c h m e a n s “ b a s i c , s i m p l e , a n d p u re ” , S U a d m i re s a n d re i n ve n t s t h e s e va l u e s e m b o d i e d b y E m e co ’s c l a s s i c u t i l i t a r i a n N av y c h a i r, f i rs t b u i l t fo r U S s u b m a r i n e s i n 1 9 4 4 .

Pa r t o f t h e d e l i g h t o f d i s cove r i n g S U l i e s i n i t s s e a t , w h i c h b e a rs t h e s a m e co m fo r t a b l e i n d e n t a t i o n s a s t h e N av y c h a i r ’s d i s t i n c t i ve s e a t , a f fe c t i o n a te l y n a m e d “ E m e co b o n e s ” .

The other part of the delight is simply the fun of mixing and m a tc h i n g co l o u rs a n d n ove l m a te r i a l s i n t h e s e a t s a n d l e g s.

T h e i n c l u s i o n o f a s i m p l e l o c k i n g m e c h a n i s m a l l ow s t h e sto o l ’s s e a t to b e d e t a c h e d o r re a t t a c h e d w i t h a s i n g l e co i n . E a c h fo u rl e g p a r t ca n b e s t a c k e d o n to p o f a n o t h e r fo r e a s y sto ra g e .

E m e co, m o s t k n ow n fo r i t s re c y c l e d a n o d i s e d a l u m i n i u m s y n o n y m o u s w i t h i t s N av y c h a i r, h a s l a u n c h e d t h re e n ew e co co n s c i o u s m a te r i a l s : s o l i d re c l a i m e d o a k , e co - co n c rete , a n d re c y c l e d p o ly e t h y l e n e . Fi ve o p t i o n s a re ava i l a b l e fo r t h e S U s e a t , a n d t h re e fo r t h e l e g s. S U s e a t s a re ava i l a b l e i n : n a t u ra l o a k ; e x p o s e d co n c re te ; a n d re d , f l i n t - g rey, o r c h a rco a l - g rey p l a st i c .

T h e l e g s a re ava i l a b l e i n o a k a n d n a t u ra l o r b l a c k- p a i n te d a l u m i n i u m . S o u rce d f ro m o l d a rc h i te c t u re i n t h e Un i te d S t a te s a n d ca r ve d b y A m i s h c ra f t s m e n i n Pe n n s y l va n i a , e a c h o a k s e a t i s u n i q u e a n d e s p e c i a l l y e x p re s s i ve .

Fo u n d e r o f Ne n d o, O k i S a to, h o p e s t h a t S U ca n fo l l ow t h e s u cce s s o f t h e N av y c h a i r. H i s co l l a b o ra t i o n w i t h E m e co b e g a n w h e n E m e co ’s C h i e f E xe c u t ive O f f i ce r, G re g g B u c h b i n d e r, s p o t te d Ne n d o ’s wo r k w i t h w h i te 1 1 1 N av y c h a i rs i n a Starbucks pop-up s to re i n To k y o.

S a to re m a r k s, “A f te r ro u g h l y two y e a rs, we a re p ro u d to p re s e n t a s to o l , w h i c h i s s t ro n g l y l i n k e d w i t h t h e N av y C h a i r. I t i s, fo r u s, d e f i n i te l y ‘ t h e s to o l ’ .” photography

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e m e c o. n e t s p a c e f u r n i t u re . a s i a

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E m e co

S U s e a t s h ave t h e sa m e co m fo r t a b l e i n d e n t a t i o n s ( “ b o n e s ” ) a s E m e co ’s f a m o u s N av y c h a i r ; S U b a rsto o l w i t h re c l a i m e d o a k s e a t a n d b l a c k - p a i n te d a l u m i n i u m l eg s ; S U b a rsto o l w i t h re cyc l e d re d p l a st i c s e a t a n d n a t u ra l a l u m i n i u m l eg s ; Po r t ra i t o f O k i S a to, fo u n d e r o f Ne n d o ; C l o s e - u p o f t h e S U s e a t i n e co - co n c rete .

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#GreenSpace installation by #IMAJIN highlighting the sustainable features of #Emeco Broom chair

#SHOUTOUT TO #MORESPACEASIA photography

S p a ce Fu r n i t u re P t e L t d

The interlacing details o f t h e # G i o rg e t t i MY armchair by Rossella Pugliatti

# F l o s S t r i n g l i g h t s e x p re s s i n g a s t ro n g g ra p h i c a l s t a t e m e n t f ro m t h e co n f i g u ra t i o n o f w i re s

B ro o m C h a i r b y # E m e co s e e n a t Fa r m e r s Fi s h e r s & B a k e rs a t Wa s h i n g t o n Harbor A

N a n i M a rq u i n a i n t o w n f o r a d e s i g n t a l k d u r i n g Maison et Objet Asia

A young guest investigating the iconic Wishbone chair at the #CarlHansen&Sø n event in KL

# S p a c e Ku a l a L u m p u r s h o w ro o m a l l s e t fo r a n i n t i m a t e d i n n e r ev e n t Guests picking chocolate bon bons from the dessert art inspired by Wishbone chair

S o n n y C h a n ( C S YA ) e n j o y i n g a t i p p l e w h i l e re l a x i n g o n t h e H e r i t a g e c h a i r f ro m # C a r l H a n s e n & S ø n .

Pint-sized UP J for kids aged 3 and up

D i s p l ay b y # F l e x fo r m a t t h e # M i l a n Fu r n i t u re Fa i r 2 0 14

U topia & U t ility m ade it s de but at S pace , adding to t h e wide colle ct ion of S pace acce ssorie s

Un c l e J i m b y # K a r t e l l a t # M i l a n Fu r n i t u re Fa i r 2 0 1 4

Photography session at a long-standing client’s home filled with wonderful creations from #Moooi

S k i l l e d we ave r f ro m D e n m a r k wo r k i n g h i s m a g i c o n t h e Wi s h b o n e c h a i r

s p a c e f u r n i t u re . a s i a f a c e b o o k . co m /s p a ce a s i a h u b f a c e b o o k . co m /s p a ce k u a l a l u m p u r

#Moooi’s decidedly oversized The Big O Heracleum suspension light

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T h e t h i rd p a i r o f w i n n e rs f ro m S p a ce N u r t u re s ’ p ro g ra m m e , N u r u l A z y ya t i B i n te M o h a m a d A z m i ( A z y ) , 1 8 , a f i rs t -ye a r i n te r i o r d e s i g n s t u d e n t f ro m N a n ya n g Aca d e m y o f Fi n e A r t s, a n d Ja m i e Ye o, 2 3, a f i n a l -y e a r i n d u s t r i a l d e s i g n s t u d e n t f ro m N a t i o n a l Un ive rs i ty o f S i n g a p o re , s h a re d t h e i r e x p e r i e n ce w i t h d e s i g n p ro fe s s i o n a l s, s t u d e n t s, a n d t h e m e d i a d u r i n g a t a l k a t D e s i g n I n te r i o rs 2 014 .

T h e h i g h l i g h t o f t h e i r p r i z e wa s a n a l l - ex p e n s e s - p a i d t r i p to a tte n d a wo r k s h o p t i t l e d “ P r i m a M a te r i a ” l e d b y t h e Ne t h e r l a n d s - b a s e d d e s i g n d u o Fo r m a f a n t a s m a a t D o m a i n e d e B o i s b u c h et , Fra n ce , f ro m 2 0 to 2 6 Ju l y 2 014 .

D o m a i n e d e B o i s b u c h e t i s o n e o f t h e m o s t p re st i g i o u s d e s i g n s u m m e r s c h o o l s, a t te n d e d b y p a r t i c i p a n t s a n d i n st r u c te d b y p ro m i n e n t d e s i g n e rs a n d a r t i s t s f ro m a l l ove r t h e wo r l d .

Fo r m a f a n t a s m a , fo u n d e d b y I t a l i a n - b o r n A n d re a Tr i m a rc h i a n d S i m o n e Fa r re s i n , i s re g a rd e d a s o n e o f t h e p ro m i s i n g yo u n g d e s i g n s t u d i o s. T h e p a i r wa s o n e o f t h e m a n y a n t i c i p a te d t u to rs. T h e i r wo r k c r i t i ca l ly e x p l o re s t h e i n te rs e c t i o n s o f d e s i g n , fo l k c ra f t , t ra d i t i o n , c u l t u re , a n d s u s t a i n a b i l i ty.

WINNERS O F S PA C E NURTURES 2 014 AT DOMAINE DE BOISBUCHET pr oject

S p a c e N u r t u re s

T h e wo r k s h o p ’s n a m e p r i m a m a t e r i a ca n b e t ra n s l a te d a s “ f u n d a m e n t a l s u b s t a n ce ” . I t e n co u ra g e d p a r t i c i p a n t s to re d i s cove r n a t u re a s we l l a s m a te r i a l s. Fo r m a f a n t a s m a h a d i m a g i n e d a d y s to p i a n f u t u re , w h e n o b j e c t s a re l a b - g row n a n d n a t u re i s a d e s i g n e d p ro d u c t . I n t h e i r wo rd s : “O u r wo r k s h o p e n co u ra g e s t h e p a r t i c i p a n t s to d eve l o p co n ce p t s a n d s m a l l m o d e l s o r p ro to ty p e s w i t h ‘ t h e re a l ’ a s t h e i r s o u rce . B o i s b u c h e t ’s l a n d s ca p e w i l l b e l i te ra l l y h a r ve s te d i n o u r s e a rc h o f co l o u rs, m a te r i a l s, te x t u re s, a n d i n s p i ra t i o n fo r n ew p ro d u c t i o n p ro ce s s e s.” S u c h a m e t h o d i s n o t fo re i g n to Fo r m a f a n t a s m a ’s p a s t wo r k s, w h i c h i n c l u d e m o u t h b l ow n l ava b ow l s a n d s e a s h e l l - l e a t h e r - c ra f te d b e l t s.

year

H a r ve s t i n g B o i s b u c h et fo r i d e a s to p ro d u ce a p rototy p e wa s t h e o n l y d e s i g n b r i e f ove r t h e we e k . T h e wo r k s h o p e n co u ra g e d A z y a n d Ja m i e to ex a m i n e t h e m s e l ve s to f i n d o u t w h a t a m a te r i a l ca n d o fo r t h e m a n d to n o t b e a f ra i d to e x p l o re o r f a i l .

T h ey re ca l l e d a d v i ce f ro m A n d re a to “ b e p r i m i t i ve ” a n d “ re m e m b e r w h a t y o u r g ra n d m ot h e r d i d ” . O n t h e f i rs t d ay, p a r t i c i p a n t s wo r k e d o n a wa r m - u p e xe rc i s e to g e t to k n ow t h e i r n ew s u r ro u n d i n g s. A z y u s e d b a r k , m o s s, tw i g s, a n d ro c k s to m a k e a m a s k a n d s m a l l s p e a r, w h i l e Ja m i e u s e d l o o s e sto n e s a n d f l owe rs to m a k e a w r i t i n g to o l .

2014

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s p a c e f u r n i t u re . a s i a

Wi n n e rs o f S p a ce N u r t u re s 2 014 A z y ( l e f t ) a n d Ja m i e ( r i g h t ) we re t a s k e d to s k etc h a m ot i f b a s e d o n S i n g a p o re a n d Vi t ra to a p p ly to a c u s h i o n cove r a n d co n ce ive a co m p l e m e n t a r y a cce s s o r y ; Wo r k s h o p t u to r A n d re a Tr i m a rc h i i s o n e h a l f o f Ne t h e r l a n d s - b a s e d d e s i g n d u o Fo r m a f a n t a s m a ; Fo r t h e wa r m - u p exe rc i s e , A z y u s e d b a r k , m o s s, tw i g s, a n d ro c k s to m a d e a m a s k a n d s m a l l s p e a r ; Ja m i e co m b i n e d f l owe rs a n d sto n e s to c re a te a w r i t i n g to o l fo r t h e wa r m - u p t a s k .

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Fo r t h e re m a i n i n g d ay s, t h ey h a d to t a l f re e d o m to ex p l o re t h e r u ra l l a n d s ca p e o f B o i s b u c h e t a n d wo r k o n a p ro toty p e fo r t h e f i n a l p ro j e c t . I n l i n e w i t h t h e re l a xe d l e a r n i n g e nv i ro n m e n t , t h ey we re a l s o f re e to co n s u l t A n d re a o f t h e i r ow n i n i t i a t i ve .

O n A n d re a a s a t u to r, A z y s h a re d , “ I f i n d h i m re a l l y f r i e n d l y. Yo u ca n j u s t g o u p to h i m a n d j u s t e x p l a i n y o u r wo r k a n d h e w i l l g i ve y o u a s u g g e s t i o n o n w h a t yo u ca n i m p rove o n .”

T h e i n fo r m a l s e t t i n g o f t h e wo r k s h o p e n co u ra g e d A z y a n d Ja m i e to s h a re t h e i r o p i n i o n s m o re f re e ly, e x p e r i m e n t w i t h i d e a s, a n d b e m o re o p e n .

R eve a l e d o n t h e l a s t d ay, t h e f i n a l p ro j e c t s d e m o n s t ra te d h ow c re a t i ve raw m a te r i a l s, s u c h a s re e d s, m u s h ro o m s, f l owe rs, a n d eve n r i ve r wa te r, co u l d b e t ra n s fo r m e d , s o m e u s i n g o p t i o n a l to o l s f ro m t h e B o i s b u c h et wo r k s h o p. Pa i r i n g u p w i t h a M e x i ca n g i r l , Ja m i e c re a te d two d i f fe re n t s to o l s. T h e f i rs t co m b i n e d two wo o d e n st r u c t u re s b y t h re a d i n g re e d s t h ro u g h t h e m to c re a te a s e a t . T h e s e co n d co m b i n e d wo o d e n l o g s ove rg row n w i t h m o s s w i t h ca s t p l a s te r. O n t h e ot h e r h a n d , A z y p re s e n te d a c h a rco a l r i n g , d e s i g n e d to i g n i te b u t p rote c t t h e we a re r, a j ewe l l e r y ca s e , a n d a n ew a l p h a b e t s y s te m .

I n a u g u ra te d i n 2 01 2 , S p a ce N u r t u re s i d e n t i f i e s b u d d i n g d e s i g n e rs t h ro u g h a d e s i g n co m p e t i t i o n a n d e x p o s e s t h e m to d e s i g n b ey o n d t h e te x t b o o k . A z y a n d Ja m i e we re c h o s e n o u t o f 2 0 f i n a l i st s, w h o re ce i ve d a ce r t i f i ca te o f p a r t i c i p a t i o n e a c h . I n a d d i t i o n to t h e d e s i g n wo r k s h o p b y l e a d i n g d e s i g n e rs, t h e p a i r wa s s e n t o n a n a t t a c h m e n t w i t h Vi t ra i n We i l a m R h e i n , S w i t z e r l a n d , f ro m 2 7 Ju ly to 3 A u g u s t . S p a ce N u r t u re s i s co - o rg a n i s e d b y S p a ce Fu r n i t u re a n d Vi t ra , a n d i t i s s u p p o r te d b y t h e D e s i g n S i n g a p o re C o u n c i l .

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S p a ce Fu r n i t u re P t e L t d Ja m i e Ye o Nurul Azyyati Bt. Mohd. Azmi

C om plete d wit h a Mexican frie nd, Jam ie ’s final proje ct com pris ed two stools, one using re e ds f rom t h e rive r and t h e ot h e r using woode n log s ove rgrow n w i th moss; Azy ’s final proje ct com prise d a ch arcoal ring , jewe lle ry case , and a lpha b et system; One of t h e final proje ct s incorporate d m ate rials such as wood pu lp, b rea d, clay, coffee, bam boo, and ch arcoal h arve ste d f rom B oisbuch et ’s landscape ; Grou p photogra ph w i th t h e work sh op part icipant s, t utor Andre a Trim arch i, and D om ain e de Boi sb u chet sta ff.

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For Daniel Libeskind’s first kitchen, bookcase, and wardrobe, he shows a clever hand at stylish modular furniture, beyond single sculptural objects. The renowned Polish-born American architect partnered with the Italian manufacturer Poliform, which has a reputation for quality modular wardrobes, kitchens, and shelves.

The three objects stemmed from one starting point: to create practical but novel objects for the home.

IN ZIG ZAG FA S H I O N m a n u fa c t u r e r

Po l i fo r m

design

S h a r p k i t c h e n a n d wa rd ro b e ; We b b o o k c a s e

designer

Daniel Libeskind

year

2014

M a n u f a c t u re d b y Po l i fo r m ’s k i tc h e n a r m Va re n n a , S h a r p ce l e b ra te s a f re e a n d e x p re s s i ve k i tc h e n i n t h e o p e n - co n ce p t h o m e . C o n f i g u ra b l e fo r i n d i v i d u a l k i tc h e n s, t h e S h a r p i s l a n d k i tc h e n t a k e s ca re o f b o t h co o k i n g a n d d i n i n g f u n c t i o n s i n s ty l e . I t co m p r i s e s two p a r t s, d i s t i n g u i s h e d b y o p p o s i te co l o u rs. T h e b ox y wo r k to p o f s n ow w h i te C o r i a n i s b u i l t w i t h s i n k s a n d h o b s, w h i l e a b o a rd o f j e t - b l a c k C o r i a n b e n t a t a s h a r p a n g l e d ra m a t i ca l l y e x te n d s t h e wo r k to p w i t h a n a re a fo r s n a c k i n g .

Fre e f ro m t h e c l u m s i n e s s o f d rawe rs o r h a n d l e s, t h e m i n i m a l fo r m wa s d e r i ve d to e x p re s s t h e q u a l i t i e s o f C o r i a n , t h e p re m i u m s o l i d s u r f a ce m a te r i a l c re a te d b y A m e r i ca n co m p a n y D u Po n t . T h e c r i s p l i n e s a n d a n g l e s o f L i b e s k i n d ’s d e s i g n e x p re s s t h e p l a s t i c a l u m i n i u m co m p o s i te m a te r i a l ’s u n i fo r m co l o u r a n d s m o o t h m a c h i n e f i n i s h . I t u s e s D u Po n t ’s n ewe st o f fe r i n g o f C o r i a n , w h i c h i s s u p e r i o r i n co l o u r r i c h n e s s a n d s c ra tc h re s i s t a n ce , a l l ow i n g u n r iva l e d l u s t re a n d d u ra b i l i ty fo r a d a r k C o r i a n s u r f a ce .

O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e S h a r p wa rd ro b e u s e s a n a t u ra l l e a t h e r c l a d d i n g . T h e s h a r p s i l h o u ette o f t h e i s l a n d k i tc h e n i s re i n te r p re te d a s u l t ra f i n e s t i tc h i n g i n d i a g o n a l s a c ro s s t h e wa rd ro b e p a n e l s.

I t i s ava i l a b l e i n co n f i g u ra t i o n s o f t h re e to s i x s l i m p a n e l s o r t h re e to fo u r w i d e p a n e l s. Us e rs ca n c u s to m i s e t h e s t i tc h i n g p a tte r n s b y m i x i n g d i f fe re n t co m b i n a t i o n s o f p a n e l s to g e t h e r.

A s fo r t h e We b b o o k ca s e , L i b e s k i n d co n ce ive d i t a s a p h y s i ca l “ wo r l d w i d e we b ” , m a d e o f t h e s a m e s t r i k i n g w h i te C o r i a n a s t h e S h a r p k i tc h e n wo r k to p. We b ’s d i s t i n c t i ve a e s t h e t i c i s a s e r i e s o f c r i s s c ro s s e s, fo r m e d b y a l te r n a t i n g b l o c k s a n d vo i d s.

O n l y 3 0 0 e xc l u s i ve p i e ce s, d e s i g n e d fo r st a c k i n g to co m m a n d d i f fe re n t h e i g h t s, a re ava i l a b l e . photography

p o l i fo r m . i t s p a c e f u r n i t u re . a s i a

Po l i f o r m Va re n n a

top

T h e s h a r p s i l h o u e t t e o f t h e i s l a n d k i t c h e n i s re i n t e r p re t e d a s f i n e d i a g o n a l s t i t c h i n g a c ro s s t h e S h a r p wa rd ro b e ’s l e a t h e r - c l a d d e d p a n e l s.

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T h e We b b o o k c a s e i s m a d e o f t h e s a m e s t r i k i n g w h i t e C o r i a n a s t h e S h a r p k i t c h e n w o r k t o p a n d s t a c k a b l e t o co m m a n d d i f f e re n t h e i g h t s.

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T h e S h a r p i s l a n d k i t c h e n ’s f o r m e x p re s s e s t h e p u re a n d s m o o t h q u a l i t i e s o f C o r i a n , t h e p re m i u m s o l i d s u r f a ce m a t e r i a l c re a t e d b y A m e r i c a n co m p a n y D u Po n t .

A Life Individual

Dr Trevor Leong, Oncologist Each room of our home is individual so we can retreat to find our own space.

It is an oasis. One of our favourite pieces of furniture is the Bend sofa.

I know Sarah likes it because it’s bouncy but for me it’s unique. It’s functional and casual and reflects the way we live. spacefurniture.asia/alifeindividual

Singapore 77 Bencoolen St | Kuala Lumpur Level 3 The Intermark Jalan Tun Razak | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane facebook.com/spaceasiahub | facebook.com/spacekualalumpur

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S pace Fur niture’s latest cam paign, A Li fe Indivi du al, celebrates its patro ns and th eir sto r ies by d ocu menti ng a glim ps e o f th eir pr ivate lives. Eigh t patro ns were fi rst to kick- star t th e cam paign. With th e as s istance of leadi ng Australian sty list Megan Mo r to n, celebrated New York ph otograph er Adr ian Gaut was invited to photograph th em am o ng th eir f avo ur ite f ur niture in th eir h o m es.

LARGER THAN LIFE pr oject

A L i fe I n d i v i d u a l year

2 0 14

O n co l o g i s t Trevo r L e o n g a p p re c i a te s t h e o p e n p l a n a n d wa r m a t m o s p h e re o f h i s h o u s e a n d h ow e a c h ro o m o f fe rs a n i n d i v i d u a l o a s i s. I n t h e l i v i n g ro o m , Pa t r i c i a Urq u i o l a ’s B e n d s o f a i s a f avo u r i te o f h i s a n d h i s d a u g h te r. He re m a r k s, “ I k n ow m y S a ra h l i k e s i t b e ca u s e i t ’s b o u n c y b u t fo r m e i t ’s u n i q u e . I t ’s f u n c t i o n a l a n d ca s u a l a n d re f l e c t s t h e way we l i ve .” A s e co n d f avo u r i te o f h i s i s Urq u i o l a ’s H u s k c h a i r, which earned a spot beside Bend.

Visual merchandiser Heilam Choy ’s “ c l u t te re d b u t c u ra te d ” a p a r t m e n t i s a v i s u a l fe a s t o f b i g a n d s m a l l d e s i g n o b j e c t s. He s ay s, “ I d o n ’ t l i k e a n e m p ty h o m e . I wa n t to l i ve a n d b re a t h e d e s i g n f ro m t h e m o m e n t I wa k e e a c h m o r n i n g .

W h e n f r i e n d s co m e ove r I l ove to s e e t h e i r s u r p r i s e , to fe e l t h e my s te r y o f a l l t h e s e o b j e c t s.” T h e o b j e c t s i n c l u d e a g i a n t b l a c k fo o t f ro m B & B I t a l i a , w h i c h h e a f fe c t i o n a te l y ca l l s “ o d d ” a n d “ o b s c u re ” . H i s co l l e c t i o n i n c l u d e s Vi t ra wo o d e n d o l l s, t h e Pa n to n c h a i r, a n d B & B I t a l i a ’s Fa t - Fa t s m a l l t a b l e .

I n te r i o r d e s i g n e r H a m i s h G u t h r i e i s p ro u d o f h ow h e a n d h i s w i fe h ave evo l ve d t h e i r c l a s s i ca l Vi c to r i a n - s ty l e a b o d e fo r t h e i r f a m i l y o f fo u r. He s h a re s, “ We s t r i ve d fo r a h o m e t h a t wa s n ’ t co m p l e te a t t h e s t a r t b u t s o m e t h i n g t h a t co u l d b e e x te n d e d , re f i n e d , a n d f i n i s h e d ove r t i m e . I t ’s a b l a n k ca n va s s o i t i s t h e f u r n i t u re w h i c h re f l e c t s t h e way we l i ve i n t h i s h o u s e .” T h e C i te a r m c h a i r a n d P r i s m a t i c Ta b l e b y Vi t ra a re p ro m i n e n t l y fe a t u re d i n t h e l i v i n g ro o m . photography

c l o c kwise from

s p a c e f u r n i t u re . co m . s g /a l i f e i n d i v i d u a l . h t m l

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Ad r i a n G a u t S p a ce Fu r n i t u re P t e L t d

B e h i n d t h e s ce n e s d u r i n g t h e p h o t o s h o o t w i t h Trev o r a n d S a ra h L e o n g ; D av i d A b e l a a n d R e b e c c a A m o s a n d t h e i r d a u g h t e r w i t h t h e M a x a l t o Fe b o co u c h t h a t t h e i r d o g a l s o a d o re s ; H a m i s h G u t h r i e a n d h i s t w o c h i l d re n w i t h t h e C i t e a r m c h a i r a n d P r i s m a t i c Ta b l e ; H e l i a m C h o y a n d t h e U P 7 s c u l p t u re .

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PRECIOUS PL ASTICS BY KARTELL pr oject

K a r t e l l ’s M i l a n Fu r n i t u re Fa i r S h o w c a s e

year

2014

Design News

Ka r te l l ’s M i l a n Fu r n i t u re Fa i r 2 014 s h owca s e wa s a g l i tte r i n g s p e c t a c l e o f p re c i o u s “ m e t a l s ” . To ce l e b ra te m o re t h a n a d e ca d e o f a c h i eve m e n t s i n t ra n s p a re n c y i n p l a s t i c , t h e I t a l i a n p l a st i c f u r n i t u re m a k e r d e m o n s t ra te d i t s s k i l l a n d a r t i s t r y i n p l a s t i cs b y re p l i ca t i n g t h e n a t u ra l f i n i s h o f p re c i o u s m e t a l s. A re s u l t o f s i g n i f i ca n t re s e a rc h a n d i n ve s t m e n t , Ka r te l l ’s c u t t i n g - e d g e m e t a l l i s a t i o n p ro ce s s s u cce s s f u l l y c re a te s a n a u t h e n t i c a n d re s i l i e n t m i n e ra l a p p e a ra n ce a n d to u c h . Ka r te l l re m i n d s u s t h a t a s a m a te r i a l , p l a st i c ca n b e n ot o n l y c re a t i ve a n d f u n , b u t a l s o p r i z e d a n d l u x u r i o u s.

C e n t re s t a g e we re s eve ra l Ka r te l l c l a s s i cs w i t h n ew b r i l l i a n t g o l d , b ro n z e , s i l ve r, g u n - m e t a l g rey, a n d co p p e r co a t s. P h i l i p p e S t a rc k a n d E u g e n i Q u i t l l e t ’s M a s te rs c h a i r, t h e i r h o m a g e to i co n i c c h a i r d e s i g n s b y A r n e Ja co b s e n , E e ro S a a r i n e n , a n d C h a r l e s E a m e s, i s re c re a te d i n m o re e xc l u s i ve g o l d a n d s i lve r ve rs i o n s.

T h e d e l i ca te c r y s t a l - i n s p i re d B l o o m a n d f u n co l o u r f u l F L/ Y l a m p s b y Fe r r u cc i o L av i a n i a c h i eve d a d i f fe re n t d ra m a t i c e f fe c t i n a s h i m m e r i n g s o l i d g o l d a n d s i l ve r. M a rce l Wa n d e rs ’ S to n e s to o l re t a i n e d i t s co m e l y h o u rg l a s s a n d f a cete d fo r m , n ow e n h a n ce d b y a co a t o f s i l ve r, w h i c h s u g g e st s ca r ve d diamond.

I n 1 9 9 9, Ka r te l l i n t ro d u ce d t h e wo r l d ’s f i rst co m p l e te l y t ra n s p a re n t c h a i r, t h e L a M a r i e p rototy p e , d e s i g n e d b y S t a rc k . At 3. 5 k i l o g ra m s a n d o f p u re c l e a r p l a s t i c , L a M a r i e wa s a b re a k t h ro u g h i n i t s we i g h t l e s s a n d e l e g a n t e n g i n e e r i n g . S i n ce t h e te c h n i q u e wa s i n t ro d u ce d w i t h L a M a r i e , S t a rc k ’s Un c l e Ja c k s o f a i s t h e l a te st a n d m o s t re f i n e d i n a s e r i e s o f fe a t s o f i n j e c t i o n m o u l d i n g u s i n g a s i n g l e m o u l d b y Ka r te l l . Ne a r ly two m et re s w i d e a n d we i g h i n g 3 0 k i l o g ra m s, Un c l e Ja c k i s o n e o f t h e st a rs o f Ka r te l l ’s 2 014 co l l e c t i o n .

photography

kartell.it s p a c e f u r n i t u re . a s i a

Kartell

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P h i l i p p e S t a rc k a n d E u g e n i Q u i t l l e t ’s M a s t e rs c h a i r i s re c re a t e d i n a n e xc l u s i v e g o l d v e rs i o n .

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P re s e n t e d a t M i l a n Fu r n i t u re Fa i r 2 0 1 4 , t h e F L / Y l a m p s b y Fe r r u cc i o L av i a n i h av e n ew p re c i o u s m e t a l co a t s, t h a n k s t o K a r t e l l ’s n ew m e t a l l i s a t i o n p ro ce s s t h a t s k i l l f u l l y re p l i c a t e s t h e n a t u ra l f i n i s h o f p re c i o u s m e t a l s.

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SMOOTH O P E R AT O R m a n u fa c t u r e r

B&B Italia design

Backstage system ( wa rd ro b e a n d wa l k - i n c l o s e t ) designer

Antonio Citterio year

2013

Wi t h t h e B a c k s t a g e p ro j e c t , I t a l i a n d e s i g n e r A n to n i o C i tte r i o n o d o u b t d raw s o n h i s e x p e r t i s e a s a s p a t i a l p l a n n e r to ret h i n k t h e co n ce p t s o f s to ra g e , l ay o u t , a n d t h e b e d ro o m - c l o s e t re l a t i o n s h i p.

T h e i n n ova t i ve a n d e l e g a n t e l e m e n t i s t h e l a rg e “ re - e n te r i n g ” d o o r, w h i c h i m p rove s o n t h e co m m o n h i n g e o r s l i d e a b l e d o o r.

W h e n c l o s e d , t h e re - e n te r i n g d o o r i s f l u s h w i t h t h e wa l l w h e re i t i s m o u n te d . W h e n f u l l y o p e n e d , i t g l i d e s b a c k i n to t h e wa rd ro b e b y a b o u t a q u a r te r o f i t s w i d t h , s o i t p ro j e c t s l e s s i n to t h e ro o m . T h i s s m o o t h i n n ova t i o n b e h i n d t h e re e n te r i n g d o o r, a ro t a t i o n m e c h a n i s m p a te n te d b y B & B I t a l i a , m e a n s t h a t t h e wa rd ro b e ca n n ow t a k e u p s i g n i f i ca n t l y l e s s s p a ce i n t h e ro o m .

At t h e s a m e t i m e , fewe r d o o rs h ave to b e o p e n e d fo r f u l l a cce s s to t h e co n te n t s o f t h e wa rd ro b e .

By t h i n k i n g o f t h e wa rd ro b e a s a d y n a m i c fe a t u re o f t h e ro o m , m a n y p o s s i b i l i t i e s u n fo l d fo r t h e d o o rs a s a n e n t r y to a n o t h e r ro o m , h a l l way, o r wa l k - i n wa rd ro b e . B a c k st a g e wa s co n ce i ve d to l e t t h e wa rd ro b e a n d i t s co n te n t s h ave a p re s e n ce i n t h e ro o m , l i k e t h e i nv i t i n g a n d i n t i m a te s p a ce s o f a wa l k - i n . Fo r t h o s e w h o h ave t h e l u x u r y o f s p a ce , B a c k s t a g e ca n e a s i ly evo l ve i n to a wa l k - i n c l o s e t .

Wi t h C i t te r i o p ay i n g h i s u s u a l a t te n t i o n to m i n u te d e t a i l , B a c k st a g e d o e s n o t d i s a p p o i n t w i t h p re c i o u s l e a t h e r, wo o d , a n d m e t a l f i n i s h e s f ro m t h e d o o rs d ow n to t h e c l o t h e s ra c k s, t ray s, c h e s t s o f d rawe rs, j ewe l l e r y o r b e l t h o l d e rs, a n d a d j u s t a b l e m i r ro rs. T h e d o o rs a re ava i l a b l e i n S u c u p i ra wo o d ( a ty p e o f c h e s t n u t ) o r l a cq u e re d i n 1 6 co l o u rs w i t h a shellac or satin finish, with handles that use l e a t h e r o r b ro n z e d n i c k e l i n s e r t s. B a c k s t a g e wa s co n ce i ve d i n t h re e d o o r w i d t h s o f 7 2 . 5, 8 5, o r 9 7. 5 ce n t i m e t re s a n d d e p t h s o f 6 6 o r 8 5 ce n t i m e t re s, b u t ca n a l s o a cco m m o d a te m a d e - to - m e a s u re s o l u t i o n s. photography

bebitalia.it s p a c e f u r n i t u re . a s i a

B&B Italia

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T h e re - e n t e r i n g d o o r o f C i t t e r i o ’s B a c k s t a g e s y s t e m c a n d y n a m i c a l l y t ra n s fo r m a n i n t e r i o r s p a ce b y o p e n i n g i n t o a h a l l way, ro o m , o r wa l k - i n c l o s e t .

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T h e d o o rs a re av a i l a b l e i n S u c u p i ra w o o d ( a t y p e o f c h e s t n u t ) o r l a cq u e re d i n 1 6 co l o u rs w i t h a s h e l l a c o r s a t i n f i n i s h .

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B a c k s t a g e c a n b e re co n f i g u re d a s a wa l k - i n wa rd ro b e .

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Cover Story

WHEN THE MODERN IS CLASSIC Alvar Aalto, Eileen Gray & Ve r n e r P a n t o n words photography

Yo s h i Artek ClassiCon Ve r p a n H e i n o n e n ( A a l t o p o r t ra i t ) I i t t a l a G ro u p ( A a l t o v a s e ) Nina Merikallio (Hotel Helka) B o S t ra n d e n ( L o g o m o C a fĂŠ )

The c lassic works of mid-cent ury arc hitec t s a n d furnit ure designers A lvar A alto, Eileen G ray, a n d Verner Panton cont inue to hold fresh fas c i n a t i o n in t he twenty-first cent ury.

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A vase shaped like a Matisse cut-out and named after Eskimo w o m e n ’s l e a t h e r t r o u s e r s .

A side table designed t o i n d u l g e a s i s t e r ’s p e n c h a n t f o r b re a k f a s t in bed. A light and sound installation of cascading mother-of-pearl shells.

T h e A a l t o v a s e b y A l v a r A a l t o . T h e E - 1 0 2 7 A d j u s t a b l e Ta b l e b y E i l e e n G ray. T h e Fu n l a m p s e r i e s b y Ve r n e r Pa n t o n .

These modern design classics are born from the per fect i n t e g r a t i o n o f f o r m a n d f u n c t i o n , i m a g i n a t i o n a n d p r a c t i c a l i t y.

The designers’ conviction in their designs—that design can m a k e b e a u t y a n d c r e a t i v i t y p a r t o f e v e r y d ay l i f e — l i v e s o n i n t h e contemporary home.

One of the most important figures in twentieth- centu r y a r c h i t e c t u r e a n d d e s i g n , A l v a r A a l t o ( 1 8 9 8 – 1 9 76 ) w a s a n a r c h i t e c t , d e s i g n e r, s c u l p t o r, a n d p a i n t e r b o r n i n Fi n l a n d .

Fo r A a l t o , t h e m e a n i n g o f a r c h i t e c t u r e w a s n o t c o n f i n e d to the creation of buildings. He believed i n treati ng each building as a complete work of art, often i n c o r p o ra t i n g c o m p l e m e n t a r y d e s i g n s f o r furniture, lighting, furnishings, and glassware. His interest in glassware caught the attention of the world when his design “Eskimo Wo m a n ’s L e a t h e r Tr o u s e r s ” f o r t h e Karhula-Iittala glassware design competition won the first prize in 1936 and opposite pa g e

Alvar Aalto and the Aalto vase ( left); Eileen Gray and the E -1027 Adjustable Table and Bibendum armchair (centre); and Verner Panton and the Fun lamp (right).

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S to o l 6 0 re i nve n te d b y M a d s Nø rg a a rd , C o m m e d e s G a rço n s, Mo n o cl e , To m D i xo n , a n d M i k e Me i ré fo r A r te k ( l e f t ) a n d re i s s u e d i n co l o u rs f ro m A a l to ’s f a m e d Pa i m i o S a n a to r i u m b u i l d i n g ( r i g h t ) o n i t s 8 0 t h a n n ive rsa r y i n 2 01 3.

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T h e A a l to va s e i s a l s o k n ow n a s t h e S avoy va s e , n a m e d a f te r t h e S avoy re st a u ra n t i n He l s i n k i w h e re i t h a s b e e n i n u s e s i n ce 1 9 37.

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O n e o f t h e f i rst ca n t i l eve r c h a i rs, A a l to ’s A r m c h a i r 4 0 0 u s e s a s i m i l a r te c h n i q u e fo r b e n t wo o d a s S to o l 6 0.

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Cover Story

w a s e x h i b i t e d a t t h e Pa r i s Wo r l d Fa i r i n 1 9 3 7. T h i s i s t h e A a l t o v a s e , a l s o k n o w n a s t h e S av o y v a s e b e c a u s e i t h a s b e e n u s e d i n t h e S av o y R e s t a u r a n t i n H e l s i n k i s i n c e 1 9 3 7.

A r t e k w a s f o r m e d i n 1 9 3 5 t o m e e t t h e d e m a n d f o r A a l t o ’s f u r n i t u r e . A r t e k ’s p r i n c i p l e s o f b e a u t y, p r a c t i c a l i t y, a n d s e r i e s p r o d u c t i o n a r e e p i t o m i s e d b y t h e i c o n i c S t o o l 6 0, a m o d e r n d e s i g n c l a s s i c . S t o o l 6 0 i s s t u r d y, s p a c e s av i n g , a s w e l l a s p l e a s i n g t o t h e e y e . To g e t h e r w i t h j o i n e r O t t o K o r h o n e n , A a l t o h a d d i s c ov e r e d a revolutionary method for bending the solid wood of chair legs, thus rendering the u se of complicated joints obsolete and dispensing with the need for timec o n s u m i n g c a r p e n t r y. T h e s t o o l has three legs, which allows i t t o b e s t a c k e d . T h e i n n ov a t i o n o f bent wood is also used in the fluid unity of armrests a nd legs for the A r m c h a i r 4 0 0.

A classic is born from personality and belief.

E i l e e n G r ay ( 1 8 7 8 – 1 9 7 6 ) came from a privileg ed Scotti shIrish background bu t spent m ost o f h e r l i f e i n Pa r i s , t h e c i t y o f lights. She studied painting at the Slade School of Art in London, but found herself captivated b y Ja p a n e s e a n d C h i n e s e l a c q u e r s c r e e n s i n h e r l a t e t w e n t i e s .

She then trained in the art of lacquer with a Japanese m aster i n Pa r i s , ev e n b r i n g i n g h i m w i t h h e r t o L o n d o n w h e n Wo r l d Wa r I b r o k e o u t . H e r l a c q u e r w o r k s c o m b i n e d a t r a d i t i o n a l A s i a n c ra f t with a starkly modernist aesthetic, winning her accolades and a n i m p o r t a n t c o m m i s s i o n t h a t o p e n e d u p t h e av e n u e o f f u r n i t u r e design for her career: the decoration of an apartment on Ru e de L o t a i n Pa r i s .

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A r m c h a i r 4 0 0 i n H o t e l H e l k a , H e l s i n k i , Fi n l a n d , 2 0 0 6 ; S t o o l 6 0 i n No t h i n g Ha p p e n s f o r a R e a s o n , a n i n s t a l l a t i o n b y G e r m a n a r t i s t To b i a s R e h b e rg e r w i t h A r t e k , i n L o g o m o C a f é , Tu r k u , Fi n l a n d , 2 0 1 1 .

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I n 1 9 2 3 , G r ay t u r n e d her attention to architecture, e n c o u ra g e d b y t h e R o m a n i a n b o r n a r c h i t e c t u r e c r i t i c Je a n Badovici. In 1924, they worked together on the construction of the E -1027 house on a cliff in Roquebrune near Monaco, famed in part due t o L e C o r b u s i e r ’s controversial interest in it.

Architecture is the source of inspiration f o r t w o o f G r ay ’s m o s t enduring creations.

The tubular steel experiments of Marcel Breuer at the Bauha u s fu eled her i m a g i n a t i o n , g i v i n g l i f e t o t h e E - 1 0 2 7 A d j u s t a b l e Ta b l e a n d B i b e n d u m a r m c h a i r. G r ay w a s f e t e d i n h e r d ay, a l t h o u g h her increasingly reclusive lifestyle meant that she was not as well k n o w n a s h e r p e e r s , s u c h a s C o r b u s i e r, u n t i l t h e 1 9 7 0 s . I n 1 9 7 3 , she signed a worldwide contract with London-based Aram Desi gns to bring her designs into production. ClassiCon produ ces and sells her collection as a worldwide licensee of Aram.

Ve r n e r Pa n t o n ( 1 9 2 6 – 1 9 9 8 ) w a s b o r n i n D e n m a r k .

In the sixties, he set up a studio in Basel in Switzerland.

Pa n t o n ’s i n n o v a t i v e c o l o u r f u l d e s i g n s o f f u r n i t u re , l a m p s , a n d f a b r i c s a r e i n s t a n t l y re c o g n i s a b l e a l l o v e r t h e w o r l d . A f t e r qualifying as an architect, he worked as an apprenti ce for the D a n i s h m a s t e r a r c h i t e c t A r n e Ja c o b s e n a n d l e a r n t t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f s e l f - b e l i e f a n d p e r s e v e ra n c e . A f t e r t h i s s t i n t w i t h Ja c o b s e n , Pa n t o n w e n t o n t w o r o a d t r i p s a r o u n d E u r o p e i n a Vo l k s w a g e n

top to bottom

T h e B i b e n d u m a r m c h a i r i n o ra n g e b e t w e e n E i l e e n G ray ’s 1 9 3 2 M e n t o n t a b l e a n d 1 9 2 9 M o n t e C a r l o s o f a ; T h e E -1 0 2 7 Ad j u s t a b l e Ta b l e a n d 1 9 2 5 D ay b e d b y G ray ; Fro n t a n d s i d e p ro f i l e o f t h e B i b e n d u m a r m c h a i r.

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Cover Story

These modern design classics are born from the perfect integration of form and function, imagination and p r a c t i c a l i t y. c a m p e r v a n , p i t c h i n g i d e a s t o a r c h i t e c t u r e f i r m s i n G e r m a n y,

Fr a n c e , S w i t z e r l a n d , a n d I t a l y a n d m e e t i n g f u r n i t u r e manufacturers. This was how he g ot the phone num ber of Wi l l i Fe h l a u m , f o u n d e r o f Vi t r a , w h i c h w o u l d h e l p h i m t o d e v e l o p t h e i c o n i c Pa n t o n C h a i r, h i s t o r y ’s f i r s t single-piece cantilever chair in plasti c.

T h e C l o v e r l e a f s o f a w a s c r e a t e d i n 1 9 6 9.

Based on a modular system that can be adapted to the size and function of a room , the desi gn i s a s p ra c t i c a l a s i t i s p re t t y. T h e s o f t s h a p e s a n d bright colours evoke a futuristic constr u cti on, w h e r e t h e f u t u re i s s e e n a s a h a p p y p l a c e . Pa n t o n o n c e s a i d o f t h e 1 2 3 L o u n g e C h a i r, “ I w a n t e d t o d e s i g n f u r n i t u re t h a t g ro w s u p o u t o f t h e f l o o r — to turn the furniture into somethi ng organi c and n e v e r w i t h f o u r l e g s .” T h e e m b r a c e o f o r g a n i c f o r m s c e r t a i n l y c o m e s a c r o s s i n Pa n t o n ’s w o r k s , l i k e t h e s m o o t h S s h a p e o f t h e Pa n t o n C h a i r a n d t w i n k l i n g s h i m m e r i n g s h e l l s o f t h e Fu n L a m p series, a lighting feature meant to be not only seen but also heard.

A classic is born from personali ty and belief. Stool 60 was the first stool to feature

top to bottom

C l ov e r l e a f i n a n e xc l u s i v e e m e ra l d a n d g o l d f o r P ra d a ’s b o u t i q u e i n M i l a n , Vi a M o n t e N a p o l e o n e , 2 0 1 4 ; C l ov e r l e a f h a s a s c u l p t u ra l p re s e n ce i n A R o S A a r h u s A r t M u s e u m , A a r h u s, D e n m a r k , c i rc a 2 0 1 3.

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legs using bent w o o d ra t h e r t h a n tubular steel. Aalto, o n e o f t h e w o r l d ’s earliest proponents of series furniture, had predicted that it would be manufactured in the thousands, and he was right. In 2013, to commemorate the 80th a n n i v e r s a r y o f S t o o l 6 0, A r t e k c o m m i s s i o n e d c o n t e m p o r a r y c re a t i v e s t o c o m e u p w i t h t h e i r o w n t a k e s o n t h e c l a s s i c d e s i g n . L i f e s t y l e m a g a z i n e M o n o c l e ’s v e r s i o n h a s a s e a t c o v e r e d i n m o o s e l e a t h e r, w h i l e G e r m a n d e s i g n e r M i k e M e i re u s e d a p a l e t t e o f c o l o u r s f av o u r e d b y A a l t o h i m s e l f .

A classic is born when a beautiful idea conceived in the mind of the designer is delivered into reality as a carefully made wor k. What i s a m e a s u r e o f a b e a u t i f u l i d e a? I n 2 0 0 9, o n e o f G r ay ’s D r a g o n c h a i r s o w n e d b y Yv e s S a i n t L a u r e n t w a s s o l d a t a u c t i o n f o r a r e c o r d U S D 2 1 .9 m i l l i o n , t h e h i g h e s t p r i c e ev e r for a twentieth-century furniture design. Nearly four decades after i t c h a r m e d t h e l a t e Fr e n c h f a s h i o n d e s i g n e r, G r ay ’s w o r k r e t a i n s much intrigue for collectors and designers.

A classic never g oes ou t of style, and the fashion world is m o s t aw a r e o f t h i s . A l t h o u g h o n l y f i v e C l ov e r l e a f s o f a s h a d ev e r b e e n p r o d u c e d , Pa n t o n ’s s h a p e l y d e s i g n w a s r e d i s c ov e r e d i n 2 0 1 2 b y Italian fashion label Prada, which f e a t u re d e xc l u s i v e re p r o d u c t i o n s o f i t m a n u f a c t u r e d b y Ve r p a n i n i t s f l a g s h i p s t o re s . To d ay, t h e m o d modular Cloverleaf sofa can be glimpsed in Prada b ou ti qu es, ki tted o u t i n e xc l u s i v e l y d e s i g n e d f a b r i c s of silk velvet in luscious hues of emerald, g old, and car m i ne.

c l o c kwise from top left

Ve r n e r Pa n t o n ’s 1 9 7 0 V P G l o b e p e n d a n t l a m p s u s p e n d s l i g h t w i t h i n a n a i r y b u b b l e ; Fu n 7 D M l a m p a n d V P G l o b e p e n d a n t l a m p i n C a f é S t i f t e n , A a r h u s , D e n m a r k , 2 0 1 1 ; Ve r p a n ’s 1 2 3 C h a i r i n u p h o l s t e re d f o a m r u b b e r a n d We l l e s y s t e m a t E G A A g y m n a s i u m , A a r h u s, D e n m a r k , c i rc a 2 0 1 4 .

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D e s i g n L ib r a r y

DESIGN LIBRARY Accessories Beds Chairs Kitchen Lighting Outdoor Sofas Storage Tables

Kartell I- Shine, You Shine vase Eug eni Quitllet

Artek Tea Trolley Alvar Aalto

Kartell Dune tray in silver metal finishing Mario Bellini

Kartell Shibuya container Christophe Pillet

Nanimarquina Ghost rug Martí Guixé

Nanimarquina Losang es III rug Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

Nanimarquina Rabari rug Doshi Levien

Vitra Environmental Enrichment Panels Alexander Girard

Vitra Graphic Print Pillows Alexander Girard

Vitra Rotary tray Jasper Morrison

Giorg etti Pochette bed Roberto Lazzeroni

Artek Bench 153 Alvar Aalto

Artek Armchair 400 Alvar Aalto

Artek Stool 60 Alvar Aalto

B&B Italia Metropolitan’14 armchair Jeffrey Bernett

B&B Italia Mirto indoor chair Antonio Citterio

B&B Italia Tabano armchair Patricia Urquiola

Verpan Mirror Sculpture Verner Panton

B&B Italia Almora armchair Doshi Levien

Artek High chair K65 Alvar Aalto

B&B Italia UP Junior armchair Gaetano Pesce

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Carl Hansen & Søn CH07 Shell chair in Paul Smith upholstery Hans J. Wegner

Carl Hansen & Søn CH24 Wishbone chair anniversary oak-and-walnut limited edition Hans J. Wegner

Carl Hansen & Søn LM92 Metropolitan chair Larsen & Bender Madsen

ClassiCon Bibendum armchair Eileen Gray

ClassiCon Venus chair Konstantin Grcic

Emeco Broom stool Philippe Starck

Flexform Barchetta armchair Antonio Citterio

Flexform Victoria chair Antonio Citterio

Giorgetti Eva armchair Carlo Colombo

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Carl Hansen & Søn CH445 The Wing chair in Paul Smith upholstery Hans J. Wegner

ClassiCon Munich armchair & loung e chair Sauerbruch Hutton

Emeco SU stool Nendo

Flexform Guscio & Guscioalto Soft armchairs Antonio Citterio

Giorg etti Move rocking armchair Rossella Pugliatti

Carl Hansen & Søn CH88 chair Hans J. Wegner

Giorg etti MY armchair Rossella Pugliatti

Flexform A.B.C.D. chair Antonio Citterio

Giorg etti Aura armchair Umberto Asnago

Giorg etti Tiche chair Carlo Colombo

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D e s i g n L ib r a r y

Kartell Madame World of Emilio Pucci edition armchair Philippe Starck

Kartell Masters chair in gold metal finishing Philippe Starck & Eugeni Quitllet

Moooi Cocktail chair Marcel Wanders

Moooi Nest chair Marcel Wanders

Moooi Nut chair Marcel Wanders

Verpan 123 Chair Verner Panton

Vitra East River armchair Hella Jong erius

Vitra HAL leather Jasper Morrison

Varenna by Poliform Phoenix kitchen CR&S Varenna

ClassiCon Tube Light Eileen Gray

Flexform Sun lamp Antonio Citterio

Kartell Sparkle stool Tokujin Yoshioka

Kartell Uncle Jim & Uncle Jo armchair Philippe Starck

Poliform Soori Highline armchair Soo Khian Chan

Varenna by Poliform Sharp kitchen Daniel Libeskind

Artek A330S pendant lamp Alvar Aalto

Flos IC lights Michael Anastassiades

Flos Ipnos outdoor lamp Rossi & Bianchi

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Flos Model 1063 floor lamp Gino Sarfatti

Flos Model 1095 floor lamp Gino Sarfatti

Kartell Light Air light Eugeni Quitllet

Verpan Fun lamp Verner Panton

B&B Italia Outdoor Mirto outdoor chair Antonio Citterio

Verpan VP Globe Verner Panton

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Flos Model 2129 hanging lamp Gino Sarfatti

Flos Model 54 8 table lamp Gino Sarfatti

Flos Model 607 table lamp Gino Sarfatti

Flos OK light Konstantin Grcic

Flos String lights Michael Anastassiades

Kartell Bloom suspension lighting in gold metal finishing Ferruccio Laviani

Kartell Taj Mini lamp in gold & copper metal finishing Ferruccio Laviani

Moooi Prop light Bertjan Pot

Moooi Salago light Danny Fang

B&B Italia Outdoor Husk table Patricia Urquiola

B&B Italia Outdoor Mirto chaise longue Antonio Citterio

Artek Kiki sofa Ilmari Tapiovaara

B&B Italia Husk sofa Patricia Urquiola

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D e s i g n L ib r a r y

B&B Italia Solo’14 sofa Antonio Citterio

ClassiCon Day bed Eileen Gray

Flexform Filicudi ottoman Antonio Citterio

Flexform Magi day bed Antonio Citterio

Giorgetti Ago sofa Carlo Colombo

Giorg etti Mobius sofa Umberto Asnago

Kartell Uncle Jack sofa Philippe Starck

Maxalto Dives sofa Antonio Citterio

Moooi Love sofa Marcel Wanders

Moooi Taffeta sofa Alvin Tjitrowirjo

Flexform Wing sofa Antonio Citterio

Poliform Bristol sofa Jean-Marie Massaud

Verpan Cloverleaf sofa Verner Panton

Verpan Welle system Verner Panton

Acerbis Grand Buffet sideboard Massimo Castagna

B&B Italia Backstage system Antonio Citterio

Carl Hansen & Søn CH825 Credenza Hans J. Wegner

Flexform Piuma storage Antonio Citterio

Giorg etti Town storag e Carlo Colombo

Kartell Componibili storage in gold & silver metal finishing Anna Castelli Ferrieri

Maxalto Convivium storag e Antonio Citterio

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Moooi Tudor cupboard Kiki van Eijk & Joost van Bleiswijk

Poliform Sharp wardrobe Daniel Libeskind

Poliform Web bookshelf Daniel Libeskind

Vitra Planophore bookshelf Edward Barber & Jay Osg erby

Acerbis Maxwell table Massimo Castagna

Acerbis Pond table Marco Acerbis

Artek Trienna table Ilmari Tapiovaara

B&B Italia Button table Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby

ClassiCon Bell table Sebastian Herkner

ClassiCon E -1027 Adjustable table Eileen Gray

B&B Italia Tobi-Ishi table Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby

Fiam Ovidio side table Paolo Cappello

Flexform Ciao table Antonio Citterio

Flexform Plano table Antonio Citterio

Giorgetti Venus dressing table & pouf Roberto Lazzeroni

Moooi Container Oval table Marcel Wanders

Moooi Paper desk Studio Job

Acerbis Axis table Gabriele & Oscar Buratti

ClassiCon Occasional table Eileen Gray

Giorgetti Anteo table Carlo Colombo

Moooi Zio table Marcel Wanders

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Design Icon

O n e o f t h e l e a d i n g a rc h i te c t s i n S i n g a p o re , S o o K h i a n C h a n , co n s i d e rs t h e v i r t u e s o f t h e c l a s s i c m u l t i - to o l , t h e S w i s s a r my k n i fe .

SOO CHAN ON THE SWISS ARMY KNIFE words photography

M u h a m m a d K h a i r u l A n wa r Zakaria Zainal Vi c t o r i n ox / P h o t o p re s s ( k n i fe )

Fo u n d e r a n d d e s i g n d i re c to r o f m u l t i - d i s c i p l i n a r y d e s i g n f i r m S C DA A rc h i te c t s, a rc h i te c t S o o K h i a n C h a n i s re s p o n s i b l e fo r a n u m b e r o f S i n g a p o re ’s l a n d m a r k s, i n c l u d i n g t h e re ce n t N a t i o n a l D e s i g n C e n t re .

I t i s i n te re s t i n g to s e e h ow t h e va l u e s a n d co n ce p t s o f h i s a rc h i te c t u re a re i n te r p rete d i n h i s f u r n i t u re d e s i g n s fo r I t a l i a n f u r n i t u re m a n u f a c t u re r Po l i fo r m .

“A g o o d d e s i g n i co n fo r m e h a s to w i t h st a n d t h e te st o f t i m e ,” a s s e r t s C h a n . D e l i b e ra t i n g t h e m e a n i n g o f “ i co n ” , h e m e n t i o n s t h a t i t ca n m e a n s o m e t h i n g t h a t i s p o p u l a r a n d we l l - k n ow n a t t h e p o i n t w h e n i t wa s d e s i g n e d , o r i t ca n a l s o re fe r to s o m e t h i n g t h a t i s t i m e l e s s a n d re cog n i sa b l e eve n t h o u g h i t h a s b e e n a ro u n d fo r t h e l o n g e st t i m e . I n t h e l a t te r s e n s e , a n i co n i s a b o u t c re a t i n g a p ro d u c t t h a t i s a “ c l a s s i c ” , o r a p ro d u c t t h a t eve r y o n e i s a b l e to re l a te to.

“G o o d d e s i g n i s a b o u t d e s i g n i n g s o m e t h i n g t h a t i s p ra c t i ca l ,” h e s ay s, “ a n d i n te r m s o f a e st h e t i cs, t h e p ro d u c t s h o u l d fo l l ow t h e p ra g m a t i s m t h a t i t h a s.” H e c i te s t h e ex a m p l e o f t h e 1 92 9 B a rce l o n a c h a i r b y t h e re n ow n e d G e r m a n - A m e r i ca n a rc h i te c t M i e s va n d e R o h e . “A l t h o u g h t h e c h a i r h a s b e e n a ro u n d fo r m o re t h a n e i g h t d e ca d e s, i t i s st i l l a ro u n d ,” h e s ay s. “ T h a t i s t h e d e f i n i t i o n o f b e i n g a c l a s s i c , o r a n i co n , t h a t e l e m e n t o f t i m e l e s s n e s s.” A h e a d o f i t s t i m e w h e n i t wa s f i rst p ro d u ce d , t h e e l e g a n t f u n c t i o n a l d e s i g n ce l e b ra te s M i e s ’ f a m o u s q u o te “ l e s s i s m o re ” .

W h e n a s k e d w h a t h i s f avo u r i te d e s i g n i co n wa s, C h a n a n swe rs w i t h o u t a n y h e s i t a t i o n t h a t i t i s t h e S w i s s a r my k n i fe , t h e m u l t i - to o l t h a t m o st o f u s h ave b e e n f a m i l i a r w i t h s i n ce c h i l d h o o d . I n p a r t i c u l a r, h e wa s d raw n to i t s “ e co n o my o f m e a n s ” . D e s p i te i t s p o c k e t s i z e ,

i t m a n a g e s to sto re m a n y va l u a b l e co m p o n e n t s a n d functions in one p ro d u c t , a n d t h i s i s d o n e b e a u t i f u l ly w i t h o u t co m p ro m i s i n g i t s f u n c t i o n a l i ty o r e a s e o f u s e . He e l a b o ra te s, “ I t i s a p ro d u c t t h a t ce l e b ra te s t h e p ra c t i ca l e rg o n o m i cs o f d e s i g n , b a l a n c i n g d i f fe re n t d e s i g n e l e m e n t s, a n d a t t h e s a m e t i m e i t h a s s u cce s s f u l l y c re a te d s o m e t h i n g t h a t i s u t i l i t a r i a n .”

Chan has had the unique position of melding t h e two f i e l d s o f a rc h i te c t u re a n d p ro d u c t d e s i g n tog et h e r.

H i s s e co n d co l l e c t i o n fo r Po l i fo r m , S o o r i , l a u n c h e d i n 2 01 1 wa s d e s i g n e d fo r a n awa rd - w i n n i n g re s o r t i n B a l i b y S C DA , w h i l e t h e n ew S o o r i H i g h l i n e a r m c h a i r wa s d e s i g n e d fo r o n e o f h i s m o s t a n t i c i p a te d p ro j e c t s, t h e l u x u r y re s i d e n ce S o o r i H i g h L i n e i n New Yo r k C i ty. “ D e s i g n i n g p ro d u c t s o r f u r n i t u re i s s i m i l a r to a rc h i te c t u re ,” e x p l a i n s C h a n , “ a s t h e d e s i g n e r h a s to c re a te s o m e t h i n g t h a t i s f u n c t i o n a l , m e e t t h e d e m a n d s o f t h e u s e r, a n d a t t h e s a m e t i m e c re a te s o m e t h i n g t h a t i s s e n s i b l e a t a p e rs o n a l l eve l . I a lway s d e s i g n m y p ro d u c t s w i t h t h e i d e a o f ‘ c re a t i n g a c l a s s i c ’ i n m i n d .”

Fo r S o o r i, C h an des igned a bed, s ide tables, and other co m plem entar y pro ducts. Th e appro ach th at he adopted was to treat individual pro ducts as o ne s ing le collecti on, in w h ich th ey wo r k best tog eth er, co m plem enti ng the f unctio ns o f o ne anoth er. He als o explo red the materi ali ty o f th e pro ducts and h ow th ey co uld s er ve the u ser i n the “m o st s ens ible and th o ugh tf ul o f ways ”. Th e shape of the S o o r i co f fee table was ins pired by traditio nal water vessels f ro m Bali’s am azing villag es and co m plem ents the resort’s co ntem po rar y A s ian arch itecture.

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