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Italian brand Porro returns to Milan Design Week 2023 with a strong display that marries the brand's architectural vision with technological innovation and pictorial sensitivity. With their two major presentations at Salone del Mobile and Fuorisalone, the brand launched new products and reimagined the previous edition with innovative updates. The brand stays rooted in its core values that involve a sustainable approach to design and sensitivity to the environment and the social reality that emerges from new projects.“Thin thicknesses, movement, transparencies and special finishes characterise the evolution of the systems – the main tool to define a framework that, if needed, can disappear, while structuring and dividing space with freedom. In the collections, pieces of furniture with everyday functionality and concreteness become new classic must-haves, in combination with extraordinary items with a disruptive character: distinct notes that together compose the chords of ever-changing music,” reads the official statement shared by Porro.
Porro Exhibition at Salone del Mobile 2023
Within Porro's exhibition space at the Salone del Mobile 2023, designed by Lissoni, a play of contrasts emerges. Against the backdrop of a coconut matting floor and tortora-coloured walls, the space was transformed into a grand open-plan villa divided into six distinct macro-ambiences. Light-coloured elements and transparent features are juxtaposed against dark, rich tones, ranging from the deep hues of Black River wood to the captivating Rosso Antico metallic finish. This combination creates an intense atmosphere that serves as a reminder that the realm of imagination can manifest into tangible reality.
In the expansive first living room, which features a double-height living and dining space, the Materic Ovale table by Lissoni takes centre stage. Crafted from solid latte ash, its sculptural form resonates within the space, captivating the eye with its delicate natural nuances. Complementing the table is the Nebbia chair, also designed by Lissoni, which exudes gracefulness and privacy.
A burst of vibrant colours and energy catches the viewer's attention, emanating from the remarkable new storage units which are the result of an extensive search in the Archivio Alessandro Mendini, carried out by Maria and Lorenzo Porro alongside Fulvia and Elisa Mendini, which was combining red, blue, light blue, yellow, and white accents, enriched by chiaroscuro black. Arranging the space and leading to a relaxation area is the Boutique Mast system, designed by Lissoni, which includes a sleek directional arm spotlight. This area is enclosed by the Screen C glass partition, a collaborative design by Iaco Design Studio and CRS Porro.
A standout in the living area is the Ex-Libris showcase which has a metal frame, painted in natural Rosso Antico, creating a striking contrast against the dark base and black sugi melamine top. Complimenting it are the Curry trapezoidal sofas surrounding the bronze effect of the Ferro low table. Next to them is the Balancing Boxes coffee table by Swedish designers Front, composed of irregularly stacked Lauro Preto wooden boxes that create a sense of balance in space. Completing the showcase are Lissoni's iconic Groove benches in black stained hemlock solid wood, adding a minimalist appeal to the overall ambience.
Talking to STIR about the design, Enrico Fratesi shares, “I think we (Porro and GamFratesi) embrace the same principles in terms of design and quality. It is a beautiful family business and this year we are introducing the new Romby chair. Even though this version is compact it is still very generous.” Adding to this, Stine Gam says, “The Romby chair was created 5 years ago, the first version is very iconic with the cone base, this year we made a new version with armrests and a new base for the chair but we have still kept the iconic shape and the cone base but carved out so it's a four-legged chair.” In the master bedroom, the Pascal table showcased the new Calacatta Verde marble top which adds a touch of sophistication with its soft and incredible nuances, contrasting beautifully with the industrial wing-shaped frame in die-cast aluminium, accompanied by Romby armchairs. The bedroom revolves around Lissoni's Makura textile bed accompanied by Offshore bedside tables in natural and black-stained hemlock. The inlay chest of drawers, designed by Front, revives the art of inlay, meticulously alternating four different shades of oak to create a stunning 3D decoration.
In the background, the Storage Hinged wardrobe with a white ash frame and black painted metal upright stands out. For a moment of relaxation, the elegant and original Traveller daybed, designed by GamFratesi, features a black-painted metal trestle frame and side backrests covered in stretched leather, creating a "saddle-like" effect. In the niche covered by Santos rosewood layer panelling system, Lissoni's Boutique Mast walk-in closet combines large mirrors with a Santos rosewood shelf, adding a touch of harmony and functionality. In the wardrobe room, the Storage Hinged wardrobe, a collaboration between Lissoni and CRS Porro, defines the space with its pure design. Inspired by Japanese home patterns and crafted with meticulous attention, the Glide Samurai sliding partitions feature black sugi and glass surfaces, concealing the hidden area behind them in a surprising manner.
Drawing inspiration from the east a sophisticated secret space, with walls covered by the new layer panelling system, designed by CRS Porro, covered in a black & white fabric that reminds of Japanese design. The Lullaby armchairs, designed by Nicola Gallizia, are arranged around the Ferro table by Lissoni, standing at a height of 400 mm and finished in Rosso Antico. The winter garden is revealed through three fixed Glide Samurai sliding partitions, delicately defining the boundaries between Porro's interior space and the outside.
In the dining room, Porro's ongoing exploration of materials, manufacturing techniques, and emotionally engaging shapes is embodied once again in the Materic Table. Designed in 2017, the table is presented with a tapered round tabletop in Paonazzo marble resting on a truncated cone stainless steel base, surrounded by French déco style Frank chairs. In the second living room, designed to serve as a dining room or office offering diverse perspectives, the Ryoba table by Lissoni takes centre stage which is complemented by the Voyage chairs by GamFratesi.
The living room showcases the Left bench by Lissoni, featuring a black stained ash top and a distinctive reversed T-shaped metal foot. This minimalist piece is distinguished by its sophisticated details, which are mirrored in Lissoni's Reflection mirrors. In the bedroom, Lissoni's Byron bed exudes elegance with its soft lines and upholstered frame. Continuing further, one arrives at the heart of the home—the dressing room. The Storage corner wardrobe, designed by Lissoni and the Porro Research Centre, features transparent compartments, some completely open and others enclosed by glass doors.
Porro showcases their exceptional craftsmanship and design expertise throughout the various spaces of the home. From the living area to the bedroom and dressing room, each piece of furniture and architectural element reflects meticulous attention to detail and a harmonious blend of materials. The elegant curves, sophisticated finishes, and thoughtful functionality of Lissoni's designs and the artistic collaborations with GamFratesi, Gabriele and Oscar Buratti, and Wolfgang Tolk create a truly captivating and cohesive living environment. Porro's ability to combine contemporary aesthetics with timeless elegance, and their commitment to tailor-made solutions, allows individuals to create spaces that are not only visually stunning but also perfectly suited to their needs and desires. With Porro, every room becomes a showcase of style and impeccable craftsmanship, enhancing the overall experience of home living.
New Showroom at Via Visconti di Modrone
After a 20-year tenure at Via Durini 15 in Milan , the brand bids farewell to its showroom and relocates to a new space. The new location boasts dual visibility, situated along the prominent Via Visconti di Modrone and the pedestrian-friendly Via Ronchetti. During Fuorisalone 2023, Porro invited visitors to explore their new showroom in Milan, which featured an immersive installation inspired by Italian artist Bruno Munari's colour research. The installation took viewers on a journey through time and space, creating a narrative experience in brick, glass and metal building covered in ivy with a hidden glimpse of old Milan. The project by Italian architect Piero Lissoni, Porro's new space offers an interior that unfolds across multiple levels, brimming with endless design possibilities waiting to be explored. Porro introduces its new location with a graphic and creative approach, drawing inspiration from Munari's renowned book ‘Nella nebbia di Milano’. The artistic choice underscores the brand's unique connection with Munari, who designed Porro's logo in the 1960s and reflects the allure of the veiled and enigmatic beauty of Milan, the capital of Italian design .
Taking further inspiration from Munari's imaginative playfulness, exploration of colours, and captivating children's books, a special exhibition was held to celebrate the opening of the space during the Fuorisalone. The exhibition pays tribute to Munari's creative legacy while highlighting Porro's commitment to artistic expression and innovation.
Drawing from Munari’s quote, “Mix the drawings and change the colours of the eyes: let’s get used to looking at the world through the eyes of others,” within a construction site, Lissoni curated an arrangement of the iconic pieces that have shaped Porro's contemporary history. This arrangement interacted with an immersive installation by Sfelab, a ‘cyclorama’ that envelops visitors in a landscape of juxtaposed colours. The installation's hidden contents are revealed to those who engage in a play wearing a magical pair of paper glasses with coloured jellies, which allow, by choosing the colour, a different story to be read each time.
Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a procession of Romby chairs designed by GamFratesi in 2020, which has slowly become Porro's design ‘manifesto’. They feature a solid natural ash truncated cone base and a compact seat upholstered in various fabrics and leathers from the Porro collection. Additionally, the Kite armchairs, designed by GamFratesi in 2017, harmoniously complement the space with their fan-shaped plastic design. Continuing through the space, one encounters three remarkable new Linea storage units designed by Italian designer Alessandro Mendini in 2015 and manufactured in 2023. These units were developed after a thorough search in the Archivio Alessandro Mendini, conducted by Maria and Lorenzo Porro in collaboration with the designer's daughters, Fulvia and Elisa. The units blend solid sections with optical geometric patterns alongside coloured open spaces, reflecting a quest for decorative richness and an emotional connection with objects. At the centre of the exhibition, Piero Lissoni + CRS Porro's System from 1995 takes on an airy presence. Crafted in black-stained ash, it entices visitors to explore the tactile and visual intricacies of the various wood options in the Porro collection.
The natural beauty of materials and the allure of imperfections are accentuated by Lissoni's Ryoba table. With thick olive ash wood legs and top, the triangular legs create a trestle that supports a textured tabletop composed of carefully selected solid wood boards, each possessing its unique character. Accompanying the Ryoba table are GamFratesi's Voyage chairs from 2016, featuring exposed frames in solid-turned maple and leather upholstery that perfectly complements the structure, shaping the backrest and seat. While retracing one's steps, attention is captured by the deep hues of Metallico table from 2011. Its lightweight construction, with a top and legs crafted from 12mm thick solid aluminium, highlights the remarkable joint between the leg and tabletop. A standout piece is Munari's Cubovo from 2008, serving as a versatile food trolley in the dining room or a capacious bedside table in the bedroom. Its design, reminiscent of the 1960s, ensures its timelessness and makes it indispensable. Artistic pieces by Munari displayed include Proiezioni dirette of 1953, Rotore made in 1993 as a part of kinetic art experiments, and Polariscopio from 1990 which was fabricated using various electrical components, to name a few.
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 Sanskriti Vashisth
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