We have seen them since childhood sometimes without knowing that they have marked the history of international design, we are talking about lamps, chairs, tables; objects that because of their pure forms or their technological systems have entered thecollective imagination as design objects.
One among them is the
chaise longue
by Le Corbusier. Conceived and designed by the Swiss architect in 1928 and made famous 30 years later by Cassina, it is now the chaise long by definition.A careful study of man and his resting forms is what gives life to its sinuous profile. A curved steel frame to which a leather seat is juxtaposed, the perfect balance of form and function.
Designed for the 1929 International Exposition, the Barcelona armchair produced by Knoll immediately became an icon of the modern movement. Its elegance given by the simplicity of its light, curved structure perfectly echoes the motto of its creator Mies van der Rohe “less is more.”
From Magistretti’s pencil come pure geometric shapes: cone, cylinder and hemisphere that go to make up the Atollo lamp produced by Oluce. Coming closer to a light sculpture this lamp became an image of Made in Italy design winning the Compasso D’ora ADI in 1979, entering the collections of design museums but also our homes.
First among all companies to incorporate plastic materials within the production of furniture for interior design is Kartell. The emblematic object we all remember is Componibile, designed as a multifaceted element lives in all rooms of the house, from the bedroom to the kitchen and even in the bathroom. The design solution is simple and original, individual elements stack on top of each other generating a flexible and easily modifiable container.
With an articulated and complex framework, Mollino contrasts the materiality and technology of the wooden structure with the simplicity and transparency of the crystal top. Designed in 1946, the Reale table is re-proposed today by Zanotta in a new version with a marble top that embellishes its surfaces. The elegance of this object makes it versatale in perfect harmony both within a private setting and within corporate spaces.
Photo credits: John Lewis; Plus studio
