Boffi and De Padova are two renowned Italian brands that are showcasing their innovative designs and craftsmanship at Milan Design Week, widely recognised as Salone del Mobile.Milano.
The design event that brings together the best in furniture design, product design, and installation from all around the world will feature Boffi's design installation, showcasing their new CASE 5.0 - BECOMING system—evolved with latest technology and design advancements, while still embodying its distinctive personality and style.
Along with Boffi, De Padova is presenting its beautifully designed furniture pieces that exude contemporary minimalism and natural, organic shapes. Both brands celebrated for their mastery of wooden furniture , will display home innovations that combine De Padova's attention to detail on sofas, tables, and chairs, and Boffi's transformation of kitchens and bathrooms into the heart of the home.
At Milan Design Week, visitors can appreciate the exceptional design and craftsmanship of these two brands, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of contemporary design.
Boffi and Piero Lissoni's CASE 5.0 BECOMING: A New Era of Kitchen Design
Boffi and Piero Lissoni took the original Case 5.0 system, introduced for the first time, almost two decades ago, and evolved it into the CASE 5.0 - BECOMING in 2022, incorporating advancements in technology and design.
A notable update of this redesign is the option of cabinet doors, made of 6mm glass with a folding effect that covers the entire structure of the door and front handle, creating a seamless and continuous look. The glass doors come in four reflective shades—coffee, grey, black, and dove grey. New spatulated resin finishes in Hydra, Columbia, Pegaso, Lyra, and Andromeda colours can also be applied to the doors. Another innovation was the introduction of peninsulas, equipped with a frame and sliding guide that can be mounted directly on the kitchen top, allowing for lateral, frontal, and oblique sliding. This creates cantilevered areas that are practical for food prep and service, adding functionality and aesthetic appeal to the kitchen.
The dimensions of CASE 5.0 also allow for sinks of equal importance and capacity, with new configurations in stainless steel or under top in marble, MDi composite by Inalco, and granite. These materials can be moulded into single basins with strainers, double basins, or 1-metre sinks, expanding kitchen customisation options. The design of CASE 5.0 BECOMING by Boffi is characterised by the thickness of the cabinet doors, which are 5 cm thick and incorporate an 8 mm section that frames it, serving as its handle. This gives the doors a tactile sense of solidity and is further emphasised by the handle strips with the same finish as the base cabinets, creating a cohesive look. The cabinets feature pull-out doors and 9 cm side support panels, adding to their functionality and aesthetics. In addition to the updated materials and functional features, CASE 5.0 BECOMING introduces new and exclusive colours, such as Lost Woods - Indian rosewood, Datuk ebony, and teak, selected by Piero Lissoni. Overall, the evolution of CASE 5.0 BECOMING by Boffi and Piero Lissoni in 2022 showcases advancements in technology and design, offering new functional and aesthetic features for a modern and stylish kitchen.
De Padova Furniture Collection: A Blend of Contemporary Minimalism and Organic Shapes
De Padova presents a collection of beautifully designed furniture pieces that embody contemporary minimalism and natural, organic shapes. The Villetta chair, designed by Keiji Takeuchi, exudes comfort and attention to detail with soft contours crafted from solid ash in charcoal or naturally dyed colour. The chair features a comfortable seat in polyurethane foam, covered in leather or removable fabric.
“My collaboration with De Padova began in 2016, and since then each year it comes naturally to me to propose something new in conjunction with them via a rational process that is never hurried and which is an ongoing exchange of ideas. The same thing has happened with Villetta. Maybe this is the secret behind the uniqueness of De Padova products: one needs to dedicate the time to have a quality product,” shares the furniture designer.
The Honoré set, designed by Elisa Ossino, includes a sofa, pouffe, and coffee tables that showcase organic shapes and minimalist design. The sofa boasts a unique profile created by combining curved lines of the seat and backrest, accentuated by a circular roller, and is available in different sizes. The turned wooden feet add a touch of craftsmanship. With their sculptural appearance, the coffee tables can be combined in various sizes and finishes, including marble and lacquered polyester, suitable for outdoor use.
The Carlo table, initially designed by Tono Morganti in 1984, and reinterpreted in collaboration with Renato J. Morganti for De Padova's 2023 Milan Design Week collection, features clean lines and a circular top. The X-shaped base adds a sense of rigour and proportion, striking a balance between modernity and tradition. The table comes in polyester finishes in various colours, from soft to bold, and can be combined with a marble top for a tactile touch.
“The collaboration with De Padova for the Carlo table resulted in clean lines and re-proportioning according to the golden ratio. The aim was to accentuate its elegant simplicity, contemporaneity, and classicism, subsequently allowing a certain compositional freedom between rigour and playfulness. All of this was combined with De Padova's expertise in choosing and utilising noble colours and materials. To collaborate with De Padova is to rework a piece of our history, an element of our everyday life that comes to the fore. It’s a long-standing friendship,” notes Morganti.
The Ami series, designed by Yabu Pushelberg, pays homage to the French club chair of the 1920s, with a basic, elegant, and comfortable shape. The collection includes an armchair, two chairs, and a sofa, all characterised by refined lines and tapered armrests intersecting at the backrest, reminiscent of classic armchairs. Fabrics, leathers, and velvets cover the structure by containing eco-sustainable materials like polyurethane foam or polimex. The Ami series blends clean and soft lines, showcasing the artistic expression and playfulness expected from Yabu Pushelberg's designs.
“For our first collaboration with De Padova, we explored the balance that unites the qualitative and timeless philosophy of De Padova with the contemporary details that permeate every inch of the piece. The result is a design with a refined aesthetic, one that is calm yet dynamic at the same time,” relays George Yabu, founder of Yabu Pushelberg.
STIR’s coverage of Milan Design Week 2023 showcases the best exhibitions, studios, designers, installations, brands, and special projects to look out for. Explore Euroluce 2023 and all the design districts—5Vie Art and Design, Brera Design District, Fuorisalone, Isola Design District, Tortona District, and Milano Design District—with us.
Text by Khushi S Tandon.
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