With this year's Salone del Mobile booth concept, Head of Design Alice Wittmann and Creative Council Arthur Arbesser have created a place where art and culture, elegant design and generous comfort come together in masterful union.
In the design for the trade fair presentation, Viennese accents are emphasised by the recurring shape of the square. This is reinforced and enhanced by well-curated elements such as the idea of an Art Nouveau fireplace, staging a dialogue between tradition and the contemporary - with Josef Hoffmann's Sitzmaschine and the new Bun design by Federica Biasi. Other new products from the collaboration with Philippe Nigro, Arthur Arbesser and Sebastian Herkner – complemented by selected icons from Wittmann's Heritage collection – form the distinctive and eclectic "House of Wittmann".
'This home is an elegant mélange: Classics from the Heritage collection alongside completely new creations. The uniqueness of Wittmann is emphasised by this mixture of timeless and forward-thinking designs and craftsmanship of the highest quality,' said Arbesser.
One of the highlights of the display is the Tact screen. Tact artfully bears the creative signature of Arthur Arbesser while also demonstrating Wittmann's trademark craftsmanship and flawless functionality. Each of the panels is precisely framed in black leather, with both sides of the upholstered surfaces either to be covered in a single colour of fabric or leather or a playful variety of finishes. This makes Tact a compelling design element for the contract sector. As it is upholstered with polymousse and open-pored fleece, TACT also functions as a mobile acoustic panel. 'Tact creates shapes, shadows and lines that are formal yet light-hearted and intuitive,' said Arbesser.
Through elegant minimalism, the Adèle Table succeeds in injecting the natural shape of a table a distinctive personality with a character-rich design: the inwardly bevelled frame is adorned with a frieze of individually milled notches – a creation of carpentry at its best. With Adèle, Philippe Nigro approaches Wittmann's design history by rediscovering the ornament as a stylistic element of Austrian design history.
The Joseph Club Chair is another must-see. Classic club chairs are best dressed in deep-buttoned or quilted covers. But for Joseph, Philippe Nigro has instigated a dialogue between this traditional aesthetic and an inviting, flat surface: the soft, smoothly upholstered seat and backrest are protectively enclosed by a quilted upholstered shell. The gridded quilting – redolent of the gold smithery that came out of the Secession movement – adds a decorative element while defining the piece's proportions.
'Wittmann has a great design tradition and culture is an important part of the company's DNA. I have always admired this – and the passion for excellent craftsmanship, which I share. The current extension of the collection is an expression of the potential for innovation unlocked by our collaboration, which is itself hallmarked by mutual appreciation and respect,' said Jaime Haynon,
More information:
Wittmann
www.witmann.at