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A name to reckon within the Italian design circuit, Piero Lissoni gives precedence to beauty over functionality and he believes that “our eyes, our heart, our stomach, they all need to be shocked by beauty and not the qualities of comfort”. The multifaceted Italian architect and designer has donned many hats - both as the head of his Milan and New York-based studio Lissoni & Partners (and its numerous divisions), as well as of a creative director for several reputed design brands, including Alpi, B&B Italia, Boffi, Living Divani, Lema, Lualdi, Porro, and Sanlorenzo. 2023 saw him unveil new design pieces for Italian furniture and accessories brand Porro as well as multipurpose interiors for Norwegian cruise ship Pr1ma. Here’s a look at the highlights of the studio this year.
1. People
Piero Lissoni’s collaboration with Porro this year encompasses the design of various living space storage pieces in addition to a new home in Beijing for the brand designed as a light-filled box.
2. Pieces
Lissoni & Partners collaborated with Porro Research Centre to conceive a storage system of wardrobes and dressing rooms. An aerial sensation of extreme lightness defined as a technical evolution in the name of utmost visual cleanliness marks furniture collection. The profiles provide for more space inside and allow to perfectly match the different types of systems – wardrobe, open wardrobe and dressing room – with fully transparent glass compartments that are partially or completely closed, in an interplay of full and empty spaces. The collection includes Black Sugi storage dressing room sheathed in a matte black-ink finish with marked veins that is ancient and modern at the same time. A Japanese-style black sugi equipment, embedded lighting, and an interplay of full and empty compartments elevate the piece's graphic language, creating a stage for one’s garments.
On the visually softer side, the White Cherry dressing room references Scandinavian design. The light finish mimics the cherry wood grain with neutral tines whereas the metal parts and their Cuvee finish are poised to elevate the overall composition.
The Storage Boiserie and the Storage Battente are other two pieces from the collection. The former treads the path between a walk-in closet and an open wardrobe, designed to allow users the flexibility to configure their modules as per their needs. It features black sugi surfaces, wall panels in grey textiles, glass shelves with dark profiles, and shoe racks and drawers. The latter is a chic companion for any living space, particularly noted for its aesthetic that is equally timeless and contemporary. Leather-covered doors and Boite Aux recessed handles, a Bento metal open box and a glass cabinet with richly veined interiors offer a geometric, tactile, and sensorial offering.
2023 also saw the launch of a special publication that chronicles the philosophy and design journey of the Italian legend’s practice. Titled ‘Environments’, the book traces a hundred architecture, interior, product design, installation, and graphic projects developed over the past 40 years.
3. Places
Events to Remember
For Milan Design Week 2023, the Italian architect collaborated with Sanlorenzo to showcase the future of sustainable yatching, and with Glas Italia for a series of sculptures, tables, storage units, and partitions.
STIRred 2023 wraps up the year with compilations of the best in architecture, art, and design from STIR. Did your favourites make the list? Tell us in the comments!
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