A new idea of living functionality: from Noto toTel Aviv, from Rome to Sao Paulo, from Spoleto to Brasilia

What do a house by the sea near Noto, a penthouse in Tel Aviv, an apartment filled with art in Rome and another in the greenery of São Paulo in Brazil have in common? They share a new idea of functional living today, seeking wellbeing through sensory experience and a new aesthetic of materials, colors and finishes, giving rise to essential but dynamic forms. A very special stage, in this context, is the home-installation of Alda Fendi in Spoleto, where the entire interior design is based on the theater of the absurd and the condition of expectation, as in the play Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. On the other hand, at Casa Caldas in Brasilia, an exhibition invites us to discovery the gathering and dialogue of three generations of the Ohtake family: the art of Tomie, the architecture of Ruy, and the design by Rodrigo.

Motion Graphic: Daniele Basilico

The great international names in architecture

Design on different scales, in fact, is increasingly based on hybridization open to evolution, as the architect Marco Piva reminds us as he illustrates his latest achievements. This is borne out by an overview of major international players in architecture, who are increasingly prone to adapting their styles for furniture brands, shifting their unique, distinctive visions onto the scale of objects. There is also a special focus on Antonio Citterio: with his systematic approach to design developed over a span of 50 years, he has “shifted the focus of the project from the simple form of the product to the conception of the space in which that product can be placed” (Stefano Casciani). In the same perspective, the Swiss firm atelier oï operates through interdisciplinary creativity, where a profound relationship with material becomes a tool to combine architecture, design and theatrical verve.

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An Africa-inspired pattern utilized in the creations of Ozwald Boateng. The British fashion designer and artist has created a special edition of the Chester sofa, the Vanity armchair and the Beautilities accessories of Poltrona Frau, unveiled during the London Design Festival. An exceptional collaboration has also led to the Duo Collection designed by Roberto Lazzeroni, the first project developed in tandem by Poltrona Frau and Ceccotti Collezioni. It is composed of soft furnishings.

Make way for young... designers

Other figures, other experiences speak of a profession in a continuing state of becoming. For example, today’s young designers who become a bridge between different disciplines and take on new strategic roles inside companies, aware of the fact that what counts is no longer “what” you design but “why,” in the name of a 360-degree vision of sustainability. Together with the companies of Made in Italy, they approach the major challenges of the contemporary transition: which are environmental, technological and social in nature.

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A detail of Casa Caldas in Brasilia, with architectural design by Ruy Ohtake. Here a recent exhibition has explored the connections with the art of his mother Tomie and the design of his son Rodrigo, discovering shared matrices of inspiration as a fertile fil rouge. Photo by Ruy Teixeira.

Increasingly high-performance kitchens

Interni Annual Cucina 2023 range over a sector that offer increasingly high-performance systems suitable for the international markets, positioned in the high to medium-high range and satisfying the needs of different countries: super efficient but small kitchens for markets such as the Far East; generously sized models suited to extra large spaces, for the North American market; luxury for the Middle East and Central and South America. Sustainability is certainly a rewarding value in mature markets (EU, UK) increasingly sensitive to the circular economy and end-of-life issues (in particular for household appliances).

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