and introduces architect Jean Nouvel as part of its collection.
Cassina returns to the immcologne fair with some of the most important names from the international contemporary design scene. Germany is one of the most significant markets in Europe for Cassina and the fair is the perfect opportunity to present the brand’s authentic style in warm living environments.
Versatility for the home and office by Jean Nouvel
The new big name for Cassina this year is Jean Nouvel with the 1=2 table, acquired from the brand Zeritalia. This range of extendable tables with an automatic leveling system has been further strengthened and developed by Cassina with the aim of creating versatile solutions ideal for today’s home or office. The 1=2 tables are on show at immcologne in a striking ambience against a neon wall which highlights the linearity of the pieces.
“I have always loved the idea of something that can turn into something else; the 1=2 table was created from a simple idea: you have two small stacking tables: if you change the height of the feet, when you lift one of the tables up in order to flank it to the other, the result is a big table! This is the central idea: doing several things starting from only one; perceiving different dimensions and offering different uses.” Jean Nouvel
The sofa system as a social and professional hybrid by Philippe Starck
The MyWorld lounge system presented at the 2013 Salone del Mobile is another solution offered by an important name in design who responds to the needs and habits of a constantly changing world where work and leisure have an essential role.
“We live in a schizophrenic society. Let’s assume that.
MyWorld is a cocoon, a nest, a world where we can be egocentric and comfortably commune with our own shadow or collect some snatches of news from the world, that is said to be real.” Philippe Starck.
MyWorld offers the user total freedom for social, intimate and professional use, in particular for those who have more flexibility between the home and work place. Synonymous of independence, it is made up of a variety of pieces that can be grouped together and integrated with accessories such as tables – including a new version that has now been put into production – and box-cupboards in oak, rosewood or varnished in a selection of different colours, and screens available in two heights which define the area around the sofa. The sofa system has an incorporated electrical re-charging station, a USB charger and a Duracell Powermat® wireless charging solution, all discreetly concealed inside the box-cupboard, to keep its user connected.
New versions of the Motek chair enriched with armrests and additional colours: blue and green felt, and dark red and brown saddle leather, by Luca Nichetto
The Motek chair launched at the Salone del Mobile 2013 is an innovative design perfect for the home or office which uses new technological solutions and takes inspiration from Japanese culture.
“The inspiration behind the Motek chair is a sheet of paper, which is flexible and lightweight by nature. In theory, a sheet of paper cannot bear weight, but the same sheet of paper takes on a new lease of life thanks to the Japanese art of origami, which, with a series of folds, creates forms and structures that are able to support weight.” Luca Nichetto.
Today Cassina, with its wood workmanship know-how, presents a new version of this clean-cut chair with solid wooden armrests which gives it an even more geometric yet comfortable form.
The production technique for the chair involves pressure molding, characteristic of the car manufacturing sector: a sheet of felt is folded to create a rigid body necessary for the chair to support weight without losing the original lightness and beauty of the material, once removed from the mould it is ready to mount on the structure. The chair is available in two shades of grey felt and a new blue or green felt, and can also be upholstered in a further variety of natural, black, dark red or brown saddle leather to create an even more sleek design where attention to detail is highlighted in the stitching that defines the folds of the chair.
A contemporary tribute to the traditional bergère armchair now with a new high backrest without ‘ears’ and a selection of wooden bases, by Patrick Norguet
The P22 contemporary lounge chair and complementary footrest, launched at the Salone del Mobile 2013, stands out for its extreme comfort.
“My intention was to design a relaxing armchair, respecting classic traditions but at the same time mixing modern influences.” Patrick Norguet.
For the immcologne fair this modern interpretation of a classic piece of furniture has been studied and extended into a more ample collection making it even more versatile for the home. The distinctive embracing high backrest has been reworked to reveal a new additional version without the curved ’ears’ and a new walnut and natural ash wood base which highlight Cassina’s tradition in working with wood make its aspect even more warm and inviting.
SimonCollezione at the Cassina Cologne showroom
During the fair the Cassina Cologne showroom, inaugurated last year in Spichernstraße, will host the presentation of Cassina SimonCollezione. Simon, the historical Italian brand founded in the 1960’s by Dino Gavina, was acquired by Cassina in June 2013. This meeting tells the story of two industrial companies and two pioneering entrepreneurs united today by an experimental approach and the expression of the relationship between culture and production. The Cassina SimonCollezione products, by renowned figures such as Carlo Scarpa, Marcel Breuer and Kazuhide Takahama, are today part of the Cassina I Contemporanei Collection.
On Tuesday 14th of January the architect Tobia Scarpa will give a talk on the cultural heritage of this historical brand.
