calvi brambilla cassina kinetic-window-installation milan design week
le corbusier kinetic window installation at cassina’s milan showroom
image courtesy of studio calvi & brambilla

 

 

 

during milan design week, studio calvi & brambilla have reinterpreted le corbusier’s concept of living through four kinetic installations that infill cassina‘s showroom window. in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the ‘LC collection’ — one of the most significant in contemporary design history — cassina’s milanese storefront is transformed into a stage, where iconic pieces from the series rotate, spin, whirl and twirl in whimsical and poetic ways.

 

the metaphoric installations animate classic pieces designed by le corbusier, pierre jeanneret and charlotte perriand, like the 1928 ‘LC4’ chaise lounge and the revolving ‘LC7’ armchair from 1927, personifying them through endlessly looping motion.

calvi brambilla cassina kinetic-window-installation milan design week
rounded armchairs presented in a spectrum of bright colors indefinitely spin in small circles
image © designboom

 

 

 

‘LC1’ chairs — a sling seater with a steel frame — is formed into a gridded structure that sees its seat backs continuously revolve around an axis, creating a playful fanning effect that seems to interact with nearby visitors; rounded armchairs presented in a spectrum of bright colors indefinitely spin in small circles like synchronized dancers; two giant wheels constructed from three chaise lounges steadily whirl as if windmills pushed by a passing breeze; couch cushions are playfully lifted off the chair from which they provide padding.

 

each of the installations for cassina embody both a contemporary and poetic interpretation of the product, reconsidering tradition, form and functionality through an imaginative and artistic lens.

calvi brambilla cassina kinetic-window-installation milan design week
the colorful armchairs, presented in blue, red, green and beige, endlessly rotate in place
image © designboom

 

 


the installation by studio calvi & brambilla sees rotating armchairs in the cassina showroom

calvi brambilla cassina kinetic-window-installation milan design week
‘LC1’ chairs — a sling seater with a steel frame — are formed into a gridded structure
image courtesy of studio calvi & brambilla

calvi brambilla cassina kinetic-window-installation milan design week
the chairs continuously revolve on an axis, creating a fan-like effect
image © designboom

calvi brambilla cassina kinetic-window-installation milan design week
the installation made with chairs seems to interact with nearby visitors
image © designboom

 

 


a spinning structure made of chairs in the cassina showroom space in milan

calvi brambilla cassina kinetic-window-installation milan design week
two wheels made of chaise lounges steadily spin in the room
image courtesy of studio calvi & brambilla

calvi brambilla cassina kinetic-window-installation milan design week
image courtesy of studio calvi & brambilla

kinetic-window-installation-fabio-calvi-paolo-brambilla-cassina-designboom-13
three chaise lounges are configured in the shape of a wheel and rotate on an axis
image © designboom

 

 


the chaise lounges form an endlessly rotating wheel

calvi brambilla cassina kinetic-window-installation milan design week
couch cushions are playfully lifted off the sofa from which they provide padding
image courtesy of studio calvi & brambilla

calvi brambilla cassina kinetic-window-installation milan design week
strings pull up the cushions from the padded chair
image © designboom

kinetic-window-installation-fabio-calvi-paolo-brambilla-cassina-designboom-11
the pads playfully lift off the seat
image © designboom

 

 


seat cushions are lifted from the chairs in the installation by studio calvi & brambilla

kinetic-window-installation-fabio-calvi-paolo-brambilla-cassina-designboom-50
installation view at the cassina showroom in milan
image courtesy of cassina

kinetic-window-installation-fabio-calvi-paolo-brambilla-cassina-designboom-51
kinetic installations on view within the showroom
image courtesy of cassina

 

 


animation by studio calvi & brambilla showing the conception of the four installations