FENIX® PRESENTS DESIGN DUO DOUBLE FEATURE

Images courtesy of Fenix®

Curated by Federica Sala – MDW2024 

FENIX®—together with the Broadview Holding brands: Arpa®, Formica® and Homapal®—presents Design Duo Double Feature, a project curated by Federica Sala at FENIX Scenario, Foro Buonaparte 66, Milan during Milan Design Week 2024.

Six pairs of designers were invited to design dual-use furnishing elements, created by combining FENIX® materials with other surfaces produced by the group. The products will also be presented in the setting of a double set-up—indoor and outdoor—created by Studioboom, a duo of architects.

“I have always been fascinated by how, in architecture and design to a greater extent than in other disciplines, a number of creative duos are active,” says curator Federica Sala. “A creative couple, whether their relationship is purely professional or also extends to their private life, has to perfect the difficult art of dialogue and mediation in order to successfully combine the input of two different minds in a single design solution. To illustrate the exceptional versatility of FENIX®, either alone or in combination with other materials, we decided to multiply the number of minds involved in the project to encourage lateral thinking and, consequently, double projects: in form, function, transformation…”

The six pair of designers are CARA \ DAVIDE, DWA Design Studio, Martinelli Venezia, Næssi Studio, mist-o and Zanellato/Bortotto

1-2 many by studio mist-o
A series of sculptural volumes with geometric shapes, crafted through the regular repetition of a module created by subdividing FENIX® panels into small, 6mm-thick tile-like squares: studio mist-o presents the 1-2 many project.  “We decided to interpret the concept of duality by starting from the single element accentuating how when taken individually it holds only limited significance, whereas its duplicating and multiplying lends it a fresh relevance,” say Tommaso Nani and Noa Ikeuchi. “These are sculptural objects which aim to highlight the material’s true beauty and versatility.”

1-2 many by studio mist-o

1-2 many comprises three different volumes of FENIX® Giallo Evora, Azzurro Naxos and Verde Kitami. The meanings and uses of FENIX® on in this project are varied resulting in a formal and decorative experimentation.

Presented by Galleria

Ambo by CARA/DAVIDE
Ambo is a seat made by joining two chairs which fit together perfectly, resulting in a unified yet modular furniture piece. The product of this connection is a system which functions both as a single object when they are joined, and as a pair of separate seats.

Ambo by CARA/DAVIDE

“Ambo comprises a series of chairs, born from the idea that individualism and union can be integrated perfectly in a cohesive system, maintaining their function whether used individually or collectively,” say designer duo Cara Judd and Davide Gramatica. “Despite being part of a unified whole, the two individual pieces resist the urge to conform by resembling one another, and instead each maintains its own distinctive character which is further accentuated when separated.” 

The characteristics of the object’s duality express in bold colour contrast of two materials – Arpa® Rosa Shade in Kèr finish and FENIX® Giallo Evora. The wavy-effect of the three-dimensional surfaces: TUET Galea Rosa and Galea Giallo (available upon request).

Duo by Zanellato/Bortotto
Duo is a double seat that can only be used in pairs. Duo consists of two rocking chairs that support one another, only maintaining their balance when used by two people at once. “Duo is a moment of balance between two poles,” say Giorgia Zanellato and Daniele Bortotto. “Working as a pair demands a dialogue that allows to achieve a goal. Equally, this duality also helps to support one another, to remain in a constant balance in which the meeting point in between is always the solution. In much the same way, this seat only reaches its stability and comfort if used by two people at once.”

Duo by Zanellato/Bortotto

Duo consists of two rigid FENIX® shells held under tension by nautical rope stays. The structure of the seat itself, made of FENIX® Blu Shaba, is paired with Formica® Laminate F9229 Dark Sky Birchply for the base.

Inbetween by Næssi Studio
Inbetween is a structure that has two sides, a threshold that serves two functions: to display and to contain. Inbetween marks the transition between the entryway and the heart of a house, separating the outside from the privacy of the home.

Inbetween by Næssi Studio

“Inbetween is a threshold, an element that marks the transition between outside space and inside space, public space and intimate space,” say the designers. “It is a double-sided piece of furniture that inhabits the domestic space thanks to its two functions: on one side, an open storage unit facing the interior of the home, and on the other, a backdrop with a mirror directed at the entrance of the house.”

The selection of materials underlines the theme of duality: FENIX® Rosso Askja, an elegant matte shade, is juxtaposed with Homapal® Copper Stratos Diagonal, a multicoloured metallic surface.

Match by Martinelli Venezia
The Match table interprets the concept of duality through colour, functionality, and irony. Its round shape and cylindrical base are reminiscent of the classic dining table, whilst the central fold of the tabletop transforms the object into a ping pong table, suggesting the idea that after a meal, diners can challenge each other to a game.

Match by Martinelli Venezia

“When we first got involved in the project,” say Carolina Martinelli and Vittorio Venezia, “our goal was to offer a new vision of this multi-feature material, and the theme of the curve seemed to us an interesting point of view. The two alternated colours we used highlight the concept of duality, which is disclosed in the object in a game of dynamic contrasts: function/dysfunction, conviviality/rivalry and formal/informal.”

The tabletop, along with the base and the ping pong paddles, alternate two FENIX® colours – Bianco Malé and Rosso Namib. The ‘net’ wascreated by exploiting the characteristics of a multifaceted material FENIX®, which can also be bended to create soft shapes.

Theia by DWA Design Studio
Inspired by the Greek myth of the goddess of light, Theia (a floor lamp integrated a storage unit) is designed to hold and display precious objects.

Theia by DWA Design Studio

“The fascinating duality of Theia elegantly redefines the concept of the floor lamp: a journey into a world where illumination meets functionality,” say Frederik De Wachter and Alberto Artesani. “At first glance, it exudes a warm light that envelops the surrounding space, but from up close, its hidden charm becomes apparent: a cabinet ensconced in its recess which offers considerable space to hold objects that deserve attention. Named after the Greek goddess of light, Theia embodies its namesake myth – as goddess of light and guardian of treasures – by reflecting these qualities in its design.”

With its distinctive U-shape, slender yet imposing, Theia demonstrates the brand’s mastery in crafting original shapes by juxtaposing different surfaces..