Our work over the course of the year has been to approach the language of design in all of its various incarnations - ranging from the most experimental ones to the most consolidated solutions.
New Shapes of Design
Our work over the course of the year has been to approach the language of design in all of its various incarnations - ranging from the most experimental ones to the most consolidated solutions. We have selected designers who have long partnered us and with whom we share great synergies. Working in tandem with the B&B Italia R&D department, the designer applies their concepts and ideas to the many proposed options. We are pleased to announce the following products which are the results of these successful collaborations. The space in Via Durini was set up with simple and effective scenography, created to allow customers to have a detailed understanding of the new projects and their formal characteristics.
Bend Sofafa - design by Patricia Urquiola
Patricia Urquiola’s has designed a surprising series of seats that transforms the tradition concept of the sofa. She has entitled the product Bend Sofa due to its curvaceous albeit monolithic form. It gives the appearance of being manually moulded from a supple material as if by a sculptor.
In practice, it issues from a study of 3-D models and digital research. Bend Sofa effectively conveys the idea of motion by alternating full and empty spaces. Contrasting seams add to the intrinsic design on the surface. The backrest is irregularly shaped, but without compromising comfort. Curved modules - assembled starting with the seats, ottoman and corner elements - form a sofa that breaks out of the usual visual schemes and differentiates from other contemporary pieces on account of its calculated eccentricity. Bend Sofa offers flexible composition solutions, including small linear versions, corner solutions or a spectacular (non necessarily domestic) version that can fill a space with double-sided seating arrangements, becoming the absolute centre of attention with its iconic presence.
Ray - design by Antonio Citterio
Ray is a seating system born from the careful convergence of proportions and volumes typical of Antonio Citterio. This modular system, which starts from linear elements, can be extended to include chaise longues, end pieces and ottomans. Although the primary focus of Ray is on comfort with every element at a dual depth, the design is in the details as it features a beautiful “blanket stitch” tailoring that enriches the removable covers. Created with two depths, this sofa has a more traditional version and an extra large version for those that want a truly relaxing position. A main feature is the U-shaped foot in diecast bronzed nickeled aluminium that, along with the seat cushions, contributes to creating an image of Ray as a low sofa - a particularly elegant piece. Its sense of comfort is expressed through its many soft cushions, the exact number of which depends on the image that one wants to convey. Even the solid or contrasting fabrics contribute to determining its personality.
Surfacurface - design by Vincent Van Duysen
Surface, a series of multi-purpose tables by Vincent Van Duysen, expresses the very best of his design poetics. The subtle quest for balance through simplification is achieved by the use of understated features, small proportions, basic materials and natural hues. “Surface is a collection of low table furniture with the graphical appearance of a Piet Mondriaan painting and the sculptural form of a Donald Judd artwork,” explains Van Duysen, thus revealing his sources of inspiration. “It is pure, simple and designed as a multifunctional domestic object. Each unit consists of metal and wood faces with a subtle colour touch. The collection consists of 6 different units and a broad choice of finishings allowing different kind of configurations or layouts”.
Piccola Papilio - design by Naoto Fukasawa
“I wanted this kind of chair to look obviously comfortable; to have the kind of shape that
“relaxation” might take if it were portrayed in a picture. There had to be something encompassing”.
Naoto Fukasawa described the original concept of his chair Grande Papilio, presented last year and very successful with the public and the press. Fukasawa has redesigned it in a new smaller version to ensure that this armchair, intended for absolute relaxation, can fit into small rooms or even be arranged in a row. Its formal impact remains unaltered, evoking - according to the intentions of its designer - the idea of “a big soft toy”.
Eileen - design by Antonio Citterio
In 2010, the Eileen tables and console have a new look: by choosing a glossy lacquered top,
in the different colours of the B&B Italia collection, they have a stronger personality than the previous wood version. The top is also designed differently, thinner and with rounded corners instead of the previous linear rectangular shape. The frames are re-proportioned, and now are presented in a bright chrome finish.
Fatat-Fatat - design by Patricia Urquiola
The table, got inspired with the idea of a tray and is presented in three different sizes, which are also stackable, has become a classic item in the B&B Italia catalogue. Now, it is also available in
a higher version. These small tables can be placed near the sofa or used as service elements.
They come in white or black finishes with a steel rod frame.
Eracle, Platato, AcanTo: Acro Collection - design by Antonio Citterio
The ability to contain and show, alternating open and closed spaces, is the feature of the new Acro Collection, designed by Antonio Citterio with his usual poetic aptitude towards innovation and making contemporary versions of traditional furniture.
Eracle is a series of multipurpose storage units in different sizes, fitted with doors, shelves and drawers or designed as open bookcases. A simple, defined design with front faces marked with strip
that underscore the doors and the unexpected red lacquered interior, that embodies a graceful Eastern sophistication capable of hiding at first glance to reveal at a later moment. Other details enrich these storage units: the upper top creates a “tray” and the hinged plate functions as a handle.
The Plato table and the Acanto chairs complete the Acro Collection.
The table, with its distinctive design, is characterised by two solid wood “X” shaped legs and by the
top made of a frame and a central strip, also in solid wood, that contains two sets of wood staves.
The Acanto chairs, with or without armrests, have solid wood frames that support comfortable seats covered in fabric or leather. Another version, with the same structural characteristics, is designed to be a conversation chair.
All products in the Acro Collection are available with the new Canaletto walnut finish, in addition to the oak finishes already in the Maxalto catalogue.
Lutetia, Lutetia Vestis - design by Antonio Citterio
Dedicated to those who love classic chairs, the sofas Lutetia and Lutetia Vestis, respectively with a wood base or with a cover, are presented in two different lengths and depths. Tailored details lend a hint of character. In the first version, the blanket stitch profile adds a defining touch in the same colour as the upholstery. Three alternatives are offered for the version with cover: blanket stitch, profile in the same fabric as the cover or in a contrasting colour of velvet.
Lithos - design by Antonio Citterio
Square, rectangular or circular, to set in the centre of a room or next to the sofa - the new Lithos tables have marble tops in Travertino, with its typical light colour, and black Portoro. Frames are in bronzed nickel steel. There is also a wood version, available with double slatted tops, with the metal frame finished in warm shades of bronze.
Mida - design by Antonio Citterio
Red lacquered interiors are also offered for Mida storage units. Due to its 270° door rotation, Mida can show off its precious interior with style.
ADDITIONAL INITIATIVES
During the design week, not only the store at via Durini 14 changes into a very special stage dedicated to the new products, but there are several and interesting events that animate the city, where B&B Italia has given its contribution.
“Interni Think Tank” the great outdoor exhibition organised by the magazine Interni in the courtyards of the Università degli Studi in via Festa del Perdono 7. Experimental installations of international designers alternate with actual urban “living rooms”, Design Island, dedicated to leading companies in the sector of design and architecture. B&B Italia island of comfort is furnished with Canasta, the new canopy round chair and the service elements.
Another place to relax is provided by the Italian magazine Elle Decor with its very personal cafe
at the Diadora showroom in via Tortona. The space is set up as a restaurant area to celebrate the best expressions of Italian design. Guests can try out the armchairs Fat-Sofa and Mart, designed respectively by Patricia Urquiola and Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia.
Cosmit is organising the exhibition entitled “Unexpected Guests, yesterday’s homes, today’s design”, that will be presented in four locations:
- Casa Museo Boschi di Stefano where guests can see an elegant Lazy in white leather by
Patricia Urquiola;
- Villa Necchi Campiglio is hosting a series of furnishings, including the Grande Papilio armchair
by Naoto Fukasawa, Mart by Antonio Citterio and the Alma chairs by Roberto Barbieri;
- Bagatti Valsecchi is displaying Crinoline, the outdoor chair by Patricia Urquiola;
- Poldi Pezzoli.
And there’s more! Other occasions to see B&B Italia products include the charity sale, organised by and for the Paolo Pini association, “Design 4 Charity” for which four Cubik table lamps
(by Jean-Marie Massaud) have been donated. SOS Design is also under way again, with the drive for donations for this year in support of the Infectiology and Virology Department of the Sacco Hospital. The seventh edition will be held at the Bovisa Triennale and B&B Italia will be involved through the donation of the J.J. armchair by Antonio Citterio.
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