The Inspiration behind 5 Designs of World Famous Architects
Behind every design there is an inspiration and behind every inspiration is a designer who has envisioned a concept or an idea. Only when we see the design and the inspiration can we join the dots to explore a greater connection. Did you know that the Ferrari logo - mainly the horse - was first found on a plane? Philippe Starck’s Juicy Salif might seem like it came out of War of the Worlds, but in reality, the squid-like lemon squeezer was inspired by a meal of squid and lemon. Here are world renowned architects and the spellbinding inspirations behind their designs.
Marcel Wander's Skyline
Marcel Wanders, a Dutch designer and art director in the Marcel Wanders studio in Amsterdam, designs architectural, interior and industrial projects. He has designed several products for Natuzzi, one of them is Skyline. The Skyline seating system is inspired by a silhouetted city skyline which is seen in the sofa's shape.
Skyline is a modular system, making for a huge variety of different linear and corner compositions, using open- and closed-base modules, a contemporary re-visitation of a classic piece of furniture – the Chester sofa. The roundness of the Chester is given squarer lines while the backrests, deliberately misaligned, evoke the skyline of a great international metropolis. The seats feature intricate matelassé stitching on the backrest, in a masterclass of elegant craftsmanship. A particularly effective combination of craftsmanship and technology can be seen in the finely handquilted backrest and in the seats, fitted with latest-generation electric motion mechanisms. The exquisite high-density Eucafeel polyurethane padding is anti-allergy, breathable, and elastic, ensuring maximum comfort and lasting support. Its recliner mechanisms, individually adjustable head- and backrests, space-saving Zerowall system, cutting-edge padding technology, infinite configurations and exquisite upholstery all help to make this an ideal sofa for any living room and lifestyle. The adjustable backrest in its open-base modules offers a wide choice of seat depth for unrivalled comfort.
Gio Ponti's D.859.1
Giovanni “Gio” Ponti, is one of the Italian masters of architecture. He was also a designer and essayist and one of the most important of the twentieth century. Other than the great architectural works which carry his unmistakable signature, he created a vast amount of work in the furniture sector. Molteni&C managed a reissuing project of furniture and furnishings designed by Gio Ponti for products for these private homes and limited editions.
The D.859.1 table, designed primarily as a meeting table for up to ten people, features his trademark acrobatic angles which manage to convey a feeling of lightness. It stands out among the auditorium furnishings not only for its impressive size—over 3,60 meters long—but especially for its simple yet refined design. The legs are notable for their fine-membered modernity, creating a trapezoidal single-span bridge upon which the large tapered top conveys the idea of aerodynamics. Originally made of solid ash with bronze ferrules, it is now also available in a darker-toned wood such as Black Stained Ash. In addition to its original dimensions, the D.859.1 is available in two smaller version that faithfully reproduce the harmony and proportions of the original design.
Studiomemo's Herman
The originality and expressiveness of architect Maurizio Manzoni and the considerable experience of professor Roberto Tapinassi came together in 2001 to form a professional partnership among the most remarkable of Italy. From the start, the two designers shared a common vision of contemporary living, developing innovative solutions in line with an Italian tradition devoted to cutting-edge research. They have designed quite a few products for Natuzzi, one of them is Herman. The Herman sofa is designed by Studio Memo (by Maurizio Manzoni & Roberto Tapinassi) and named after the author of Moby Dick, Herman Melville.
From the Italian brand Natuzzi, this modular sofa combines harmony, design, and craftsmanship. It features a fin-shaped metal exterior that envelops the backrest and the seat. Herman is not just a sofa: it is an interior design system made up of different elements that can be combined in various configurations or used alone, adding dynamism and originality to the living area. The Herman sofa features deep comfortable seats with low backrests and matching cushions; the armrests are equally clean-lined and enhanced by stylish stitching details. The optional adjustable cushion helps to achieve the comfort you want. The side armrests are available in two heights: same height as the backrest or lower, depending on the intended use of the sofa.
Foster+Partners' Arc Table
Foster+Partners is one of the most innovative architectural and integrated design studios in the world. Since its founding in 1967, the studio promoted a sustainable approach to architecture, with a wide variety of projects including urban planning, public infrastructure, airports, civic and cultural buildings, offices and workplaces, private houses and product design. Foster+Partners and Molteni&C deal with each project eclectically through the use of innovative materials and technologies such as the Arc table. Drawing inspiration from tensile fabric structures which are increasingly being used in contemporary architectural design, its form is generated by software developed to create flowing architectural designs. The base shape is inspired by the technostructures currently used in modern building: a new “light” cement which mixes colour and a special fibrous material obtaining resistant structures with a low specific weight.
Printed in a single block and dyed. It allows the manufacture of complex shapes, the Arc table combines the structural characteristics of strength and elasticity with innovative concepts such as complete recyclability and low environmental impact of the production cycle. It is also waterproof, and the mass-coloured base in white and two tones of grey, ensures the colour stays fresh throughout its lifespan. These materials allow outdoor usage. The design won the ELLE DECOR Design Award in 2011.
Patricia Urquiola's Asterias
A Spanish and an Italian designer, Patricia Urquiola has completed several projects and collections for Molteni&C. Her diamond table won the Red Dot Award for Best Product in 2005. Talking about the Asterias table, this design is inspired by a cactus that grows in the mountainous regions of Mexico, by means, lending its name. The base is composed of six curved, wedge-shaped wooden panels, protruding over a central pedestal. The tabletop, available in two sizes, features a rounded edge, sub-divided in the wood version into four wedges, that give rise to an interesting geometric pattern. The table can also be fitted with a practical accessory: a central Lazy Susan turntable, very popular in Asian countries.
Marcel Wander's Skyline
Marcel Wanders, a Dutch designer and art director in the Marcel Wanders studio in Amsterdam, designs architectural, interior and industrial projects. He has designed several products for Natuzzi, one of them is Skyline. The Skyline seating system is inspired by a silhouetted city skyline which is seen in the sofa's shape.
Gio Ponti's D.859.1
Giovanni “Gio” Ponti, is one of the Italian masters of architecture. He was also a designer and essayist and one of the most important of the twentieth century. Other than the great architectural works which carry his unmistakable signature, he created a vast amount of work in the furniture sector. Molteni&C managed a reissuing project of furniture and furnishings designed by Gio Ponti for products for these private homes and limited editions.
The D.859.1 table, designed primarily as a meeting table for up to ten people, features his trademark acrobatic angles which manage to convey a feeling of lightness. It stands out among the auditorium furnishings not only for its impressive size—over 3,60 meters long—but especially for its simple yet refined design. The legs are notable for their fine-membered modernity, creating a trapezoidal single-span bridge upon which the large tapered top conveys the idea of aerodynamics. Originally made of solid ash with bronze ferrules, it is now also available in a darker-toned wood such as Black Stained Ash. In addition to its original dimensions, the D.859.1 is available in two smaller version that faithfully reproduce the harmony and proportions of the original design.
Studiomemo's Herman
The originality and expressiveness of architect Maurizio Manzoni and the considerable experience of professor Roberto Tapinassi came together in 2001 to form a professional partnership among the most remarkable of Italy. From the start, the two designers shared a common vision of contemporary living, developing innovative solutions in line with an Italian tradition devoted to cutting-edge research. They have designed quite a few products for Natuzzi, one of them is Herman. The Herman sofa is designed by Studio Memo (by Maurizio Manzoni & Roberto Tapinassi) and named after the author of Moby Dick, Herman Melville.
From the Italian brand Natuzzi, this modular sofa combines harmony, design, and craftsmanship. It features a fin-shaped metal exterior that envelops the backrest and the seat. Herman is not just a sofa: it is an interior design system made up of different elements that can be combined in various configurations or used alone, adding dynamism and originality to the living area. The Herman sofa features deep comfortable seats with low backrests and matching cushions; the armrests are equally clean-lined and enhanced by stylish stitching details. The optional adjustable cushion helps to achieve the comfort you want. The side armrests are available in two heights: same height as the backrest or lower, depending on the intended use of the sofa.
Foster+Partners' Arc Table
Foster+Partners is one of the most innovative architectural and integrated design studios in the world. Since its founding in 1967, the studio promoted a sustainable approach to architecture, with a wide variety of projects including urban planning, public infrastructure, airports, civic and cultural buildings, offices and workplaces, private houses and product design. Foster+Partners and Molteni&C deal with each project eclectically through the use of innovative materials and technologies such as the Arc table. Drawing inspiration from tensile fabric structures which are increasingly being used in contemporary architectural design, its form is generated by software developed to create flowing architectural designs. The base shape is inspired by the technostructures currently used in modern building: a new “light” cement which mixes colour and a special fibrous material obtaining resistant structures with a low specific weight.
Patricia Urquiola's Asterias
A Spanish and an Italian designer, Patricia Urquiola has completed several projects and collections for Molteni&C. Her diamond table won the Red Dot Award for Best Product in 2005. Talking about the Asterias table, this design is inspired by a cactus that grows in the mountainous regions of Mexico, by means, lending its name. The base is composed of six curved, wedge-shaped wooden panels, protruding over a central pedestal. The tabletop, available in two sizes, features a rounded edge, sub-divided in the wood version into four wedges, that give rise to an interesting geometric pattern. The table can also be fitted with a practical accessory: a central Lazy Susan turntable, very popular in Asian countries.
Explore more designs from world renowned architects here.
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