Ploum Sofa for Ligne Rosét

If the Grand Prix of the Milano Triennal still existed, this year it would definately go to the Bouroullec brothers (they'ree the new Eames brothers!) for their Ploum sofa, made by Ligne Rosét.

In the words of one ove the brouvvas (who can tell them apart?!):

Erwan and I were aiming to design a sofa that would be particularly comfortable but different from anything else already on the market. "Ploum" has a very sensual feel to it. It is reminiscent of a ripe fruit, one that is almost too juicy to eat. (...) We have been interested in sponge for around 15 years now. In our opinion it is a material that is particularly associated with comfort. (...) "Ploum" has no edges, its backrest is high and its seat low. Everything about "Ploum" is designed in such a way that users can sit or lie comfortably in as many positions as possible on it - reading, sleeping or sitting opposite each other as a couple.

Franco Albini

Franco Albini (b. 1905 d. 1977) is the name of the the italian neo-rationalist, proto-high tech architect/designer, whose Milan 1940 apartment we see above and further down the page. A one-off sailboat inspired bookshelf-prototype from 1938 acted as a space divider (until it collapsed); it has now been meticously re-constructed and reproduced by the technicians of Cassina. Originaly built from ready-made industrial components, its current price from Cassina should spur any Do-It-Yourself-ers to the challenge of creating one's own. Also notice the paintings hung on poles in the middle of the rooms.

If you imagine yourself seeing traces of Gio Ponti's work, then you just may be right (or lucky): Albini worked for Uncle Joe for a year after graduating from architecture school in 1929 (Politecnico di Milano. The year after he set up his own shop). Having said that, the differences in their respectice works are vast. Compared to the structure-driven designs of Albini, Ponti can come of as a luxurious décorateur; Albini instead focusing on devoting his time to designing for the common man.

Desk from 1950 for Knoll, based on a 1938 design.

The 1959 Tre Pezzi chair, inspired by the bergère`. For Carlo Poggi, Pavia, now reissued by Cassina.

Edificio per uffici INA - Parma, 1950 - 54

Galleria di Palazzo Rosso - Genova, 1952 - 62

And last but not least: The breakthrough:

A glass radio. From 1938! (Guten Morgen Schneewittchensarg!) Presented at the 1940 Wohnbedarf-exhibition in Zürich.

source: fondazione franco albini

Piazza Carlo Mirabella, Milan

Fantastic house by a to me unknown architect. Perhaps You, the Reader, know something about it?

Marble Floors of Milan

Douglas House

Richard Meier / 1973 / Harbor Springs / Michigan