Different worlds come together in a harmonious coexistence thanks to Molteni&C’s first Outdoor Collection, coordinated by creative director Vincent Van Duysen
by Elisabetta Kruger
«A new concept of outdoor living, because it is based on cultural and design references belonging to tradition but interpreted in a modern key and characterised by an idea of simplicity triggered by a careful interplay of proportions. The technology involved is cutting-edge yet concealed, while the materials are natural and timeless. The intrinsic characteristics of Molteni&C’s identity are the exquisite craftsmanship, refined details, and the beauty of its objects that contain echoes of the great architects and designers of the past, reinterpreted in this collection. The new outdoor proposal shows a graphic presence and a sense of timeless elegance that is reflected in the brand».
Vincent Van Duysen
According to Vincent Van Duysen: «Similarly to the 2022 indoor collection, in the outdoor proposal I also pursued an idea of soft well-being, of organic playfulness in an architectural vision of furniture. I took inspiration from modernism to recall the idea of permeability and transparency between indoor and outdoor spaces and that inner connection with light and nature».
Landmark Collection
The Landmark Collection is a demonstration of Italian savoir-faire: a refined mix of tradition, craftsmanship and timeless style. This rich selection, which includes sofas, end elements, chaise longues, loveseats and armchairs, all rich in precious details, has been made possible through the use of various sophisticated cabinet-making techniques, which are an integral part of Molteni&C’s DNA. The fluid, organic lines are skilfully crafted from solid teak wood and characterised by warm natural hues. The heart of the collection is Luca Meda’s classic Palinfrasca sofa, originally designed in 1994, which now finds new life.
The Outdoor Collection embraces several concepts, all of which can coexist in the same organic vision. The sofa in the Landmark Collection, for instance, is inspired by the original design of Palinfrasca by the internationally acclaimed Luca Meda. A perfect demonstration of Italian savoir-faire and outstanding artisanal skill. The Timeout Collection, by Vincent Van Duysen, presents a wide range of elegant outdoor elements inspired by the soft shapes of modernist architecture.
The Heritage Collection, on the other hand, includes a new edition of two Gio Ponti armchairs. The rug collection, ranging from proposals by Van Duysen himself to designers Nicola Gallizia and Marta Ferri, completes the selection. Marta Ferri also curated a sophisticated new collection of outdoor fabrics, defined by delicate patterns, textiles with a fine hand feel, and warm tones. And lastly, two iconic standalone pieces by Foster + Partners and Ron Gilad, establish a perfect dialogue with the collection as a whole.
Timeout Collection
In designing the Timeout Collection, Van Duysen was inspired by the essential shapes of modernist architecture, in which the seemingly cold nature of metal is attenuated by thin lines. The concept is a reference to the wrought iron technique used by craftsmen to confer a sculptural quality to structural metal elements. For example, the Phoenix sofa is structurally defined by a burnished painted aluminium band that traces the silhouette like a continuous ribbon. In the Golden Gate table, on the other hand, the band surrounds the slatted top in teak or lava stone.
The Palinfrasca sofa is defined by its rounded shape, solid structure and band-braided backrest, available in either natural teak or EVA polyurethane. The pattern takes its inspiration from the combination of poles (pali) and branches (frasche) in workmanship reminiscent of the weaving of baskets, evoking the natural ease of the Mediterranean style. The design not only emphasises a sense of formal purity but is also extremely comfortable and ergonomic, thanks to the removable cushions and the variety of possible declinations. Arc Outdoor. D.154. Chaise longue D.150. Contrasting with the more prominent and solid profiles of the Phoenix sofa and Golden Gate table are the woven motifs of the Hyde footstool, made of polypropylene rope, the Guell lounger, Green Point chairs and the Boulogne baskets, which add a touch of personality to the collection.
The material palette of the outdoor range has been carefully coordinated: organic tones such as rust, desert sand, earth brown, olive green and anthracite give it a unique personality, as they enter into a perfect dialogue with each other.
Heritage Collection
The Heritage Collection – sprung from Molteni&C’s long-standing collaboration with some of the most prominent designers of the 20th century, including the Gio Ponti Archive – is a re-edition of two of the most popular works by the celebrated Milanese architect and designer. The D.150.5chaise longue, which was originally designed in 1952 for the outdoor spaces of the cruise ship Andrea Doria, is characterised by its extended shell made of a single continuous line in solid teak and its precise angle, faithfully taken from Ponti’s original drawings. The second is the D.154.2 designed in 1954 for the Planchart collectors’ villa in Caracas (1953-57). It is here produced in the outdoor version. The shell of the iconic love chair is made of rigid polyurethane, and the cushion is water-repellent, for an elegant, sophisticated and technically advanced seating concept.
The leitmotif running through all these pieces is precisely the dialogue between materials. The use of solid teak wood in the Landmark Collection naturally matches the metal profiles of the Timeout Collection. While the concrete finish used for the Arc table by Foster + Partners creates an interplay of contrasts and references with the perforated iron top and lava stone base of Ron Gilad’s Panna Cotta table. Woven patterns are also important conceptual references, whether in the form of the polypropylene rope details in the Timeout Collection, or the bands for the backrest in the Palinfrasca sofa, made of teak or EVA polyurethane and inspired by the Mediterranean tradition of basket making.
Helios is an outdoor kitchen that embodies Made in Italy craftsmanship combined with innovative technology. Its clean and strict lines together with the rigid yet discreet impact make it a perfect match for both the Landmark and Timeout collections.
For a complete open-air experience, the Outdoor proposal is completed by a kitchen designed by Vincent Van Duysen. «Conviviality and refinement are the keywords I wanted to attribute to this outdoor kitchen. A plain yet structured piece of furniture, where functionality and sophistication coexist to create a modern design», said Vincent Van Duysen.
Molteni&C’s continuous commitment to sustainability is also evident in this new project. A responsibility that is pursued at every stage of the production process, from the initial design to the disassembly of the product. The pieces are primarily made in one single material and sourced from certified supply chains. Their parts are replaceable and, like in the case of the upholstery, recyclable. The colours of the lava stone surfaces are made by using recycled glass from discarded TV and PC monitors. A process of glass crushing and grinding yields the raw material for decorations and full-field colouring.
Textile and rug collection
The new outdoor rugs emphasise natural, Mediterranean hues and are characterised by textured weaves and organic patterns. Three new proposals make up the collection: Hedera, designed by Vincent Van Duysen, is marked by a harmonious rhythm of olive green and beige strips. Musco by Marta Ferri, whose palette is inspired by the hues of undergrowth, combines geometric patterns and solid colours. Finally, Palma, designed by Nicola Gallizia, evokes the feeling of walking on sand. It is made of 100% recycled and recyclable PET, with a precious weave that conveys the natural lustre of silk. The rugs were designed to complement the textile selection of the Outdoor Collection curated by Marta Ferri in a harmonious dialogue.
(Molteni&C – Intertwining worlds – Barchemagazine.com – April 2023)
