We just made it back from Milan Design Week, for what was a much more intimate version of the usual Salone hustle and bustle. Labeled as Supersalone, to mark the difference between regular years, was imagined as the first large design exhibition to open its doors since the worldwide lockdowns. The 2021 edition was definitely a transition Milan Furniture Fair, nevertheless one we thoroughly enjoyed.
Supersalone 2021 was curated by architect Stefan Boeri and held place from September 5th through 16th in Milan. Together with a team of international collaborators, they imagined an innovative setting for all products and brands. Entirely built with re-usable materials such as steel and plywood, the fair had a very Brooklyn warehouse-style vibe. A welcome change from the usual contest between extravagant booths, it made the show much more democratic while creating a level playing field for large and small brands.
A section we particularly enjoyed was the Lost Graduation Show curated by Annina Koivu, which showcases 170 projects by students from 48 design schools in 22 different countries. This format is brand new for the Salone del Mobile Milano, and provided a welcome dose of creative innovation not rooted in commercial constraints.
Hemp-it-yourself uses hempcrete, a sustainable building material, to make carbon-negative furniture pieces. A project by Hannah Segerkrantz.
Uno sull’altro is a conceptual object that would theoretically enable twice as many people to be present on the same beach. Offering a satirical solution to the insatiable demands of the tourism market, it also strives to stimulate reflections on the limitations of space caused by global overpopulation. Project by Giulia Braglia, Alessio Ramundo, Giacomo Quinland, Umberto Passerini, Matteo Brasili, Sara Millozza, Chiara Torterolo and Luca Vernieri .
Natura was born after research of an artisan community in Trentino Italy, particularly the local woodworkers and flax weavers. The collection of furniture pieces is made from wood and line. A project by Alessio Ramundo.
Among the established brands at Milan Furniture Fair 2021, we noticed an overwhelming presence of Italian brands and only a handful of foreign brands. Here are the designs that specifically caught our attention:
NVL table is the new table designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, as you could probably derive from the product name. Designed for MDF Italia, the pure geometric shapes and formal lightness are signature Jean Nouvel.
Calypso is a lighting series designed by Servomuto Designs for Contardi Lighting. The fixtures are inspired by the art deco period, with fabrics mixing geometric patterns with South American and tropical culture. The result is very unusual and striking.
Paola Navone transforms the art of weaving into an outdoor sofa. The Basket Sofa for Exteta features ornamental knots and the essence of wood.
Nuez Lounge Bio for Andreu World completes the product family designed by Patricia Urquiola and maintains the warm character of the Nuez Collection. The Bio version is created from a non-fossil Thermopolymer, created by living microorganisms.
Connubia is the young and contemporary brand of the Calligaris Group. Their fresh and dynamic design is reflected in their fun booth design, which we tremendously enjoyed.
At Artemide we enjoyed the lighting designed by Bjarke Ingels Group in 2019, which includes the flexible La Linea tube lighting.
