A furniture system with a skeletal aesthetic so that it can transfigure and adjust to every new event that takes place on the 4th floor at Rinascente

The idea was to create a space which could adapt and transform in numerous layouts according to the variety of events which take place throughout the year so we created a furniture system with a skeletal concept so it can transfigure and adjust to every new event that takes place. It had to be subtle enough not to be the protagonist but at the same time recognisable and not anonymous.

The industrial character of the aluminium profiles and joints which make up the furniture system is softened by proposing atypical applications and processes for this type of semi- finished product. In particular, the manipulation of the straight profile into a curved one introduces a decorative and graphic aspect to the system making it more sinuous and visually elastic and encourages the notion of transfigurability.

Straight and curved furniture can be combined to recreate different scenarios; distributed to fill the space or grouped in areas to form small niches. Individually, each furniture item can also adapt and change configuration depending on the typology of clothes that will be displayed. For example, the wardrobe can switch from a layout of shelves for folded items to a rail layout for hanging extra-long clothing or a cross between the two.

Particular attention was paid to the transformation processes of the individual elements so that the transition from one layout to another requires no tools and the components which aren't in use can be stored on the furniture themselves, hidden away a designated space. In this way, changing layouts is a spontaneous and agile procedure and the pieces of the system won't get lost. We studied a formula that would allow us to obtain the greatest number of combinations with the least number of elements.

To complete the adaptability of the furniture system, each side of the shelves and surfaces have different finishes; one side is kept neutral whilst the other is coated with a dichroic finish, which reflects cool hues around the space.

Photos by Nicola Iannibello