cassina presents new products + revamped showroom at milan design week 2018

fifty years after it first opened, the cassina milan showroom has revealed an extension and remodeling during milan design week 2018. led by patricia urquiola — art director of cassina — the project represents a new chapter in the company, following those of mario bellini, vico magistretti, achille castiglioni and piero lissoni who, since 1968 have interpreted and promoted this ideal space to highlight the quality and products in the collection.

cassina’s milan showroom showcasing the latest collection

the new interiors by patricia urquiola for the cassina milan showroom showcase new living environments together with new work-spaces for architects. these are directly linked to the showroom by a sculptural staircase that leads to the first floor by passing through the ‘cupola’ dome. characterized by traditional materials that offer a contemporary take of the company’s core identity, the showroom was the backdrop for the new cassina collection.

the sculptural staircase

among the product launches, the ‘bowy-sofa’ by the art director herself features high-quality tailoring while experimenting with sofa modules for a versatile design. it characteristic shape showcases a rounded armrest that directly meets the backrest which emerges beyond the seat units. circular, semi-circular and rectangular shapes alternate dynamically to create a play of volumes and a graphic silhouette.

it can be composed in many playful ways

bowy-sofa by patricia urquiola is a modular sofa with soft and welcoming curves

circular, semi-circular and rectangular shapes alternate dynamically

the sofa is characterized by padded stitching that outlines the shape of the various elements

launching the first product of a the collaboration that started back in 2010, london-based designer michael anastassiades presents ‘ordinal’, a sculptural set of contemporary dining tables that unifies his trademark metal work with cassina’s carpentry craftsmanship. its solid natural wood, veneer or lacquered top warmly contrasts with its sleep legs in aluminium or also in wood, which are set at a diagonal right at the limit of the structure.

ordinal by michael anastassiades is a sculptural set of contemporary dining tables

‘each leg is positioned on to the four corners of the table, marking the cardinal extents of the top. the 45° orientation of the legs are used to maximise strength while its geometry brings focus to the table’s edge. an illusion is created through this relationship, which varies based on the viewing angle. the leg can appear simultaneously slender and yet monolithic. principally made from aluminium, the leg’s materiality and finish vary to accentuate this interplay through colour and contrast.’ – michael anastassiades.