MINIMALISSIMO EDITED
This newsletter is supported by aprile, the hanging chair
Minimalism is not a style, it is an attitude, a way of being. It’s a fundamental reaction against noise, visual noise, disorder, vulgarity. Minimalism is the pursuit of the essence of things, not the appearance.
– Claudio Silvestrin
What's happening?
In a week where we were presented with the Vision Pro by Apple, I can't help but worry about the tech industry's insistence on removing humanity from our collective experiences from the world. On one hand, I stand mightily impressed by the clever engineering and design ingenuity of such a device. But I refuse to believe that every big tech co. product is a reflection of an inevitable way of life for us. For personal entertainment, yes, I can understand the appeal. But the way this has been marketed to families and friends... just... no. I guess it's also because I have never really been into headsets and that super immersive technology. It freaks me out in a way that it can seriously fuck with people's mental health and natural connections. It's depressing, and I would rather sidestep this for an adventure in the wilderness. Actually seeing, smelling, and touching the natural world. That said, learning about something and using it in earnest are two distinctly different things. It's always interesting to see what the industry delivers. It's just not always good design when you look beyond the hype. OK, enough dystopia. Let's dive into the good stuff.
– Carl
Features
IGRAM
Igram (which roughly translates as 'I play' in Croatian) is a collection of minimal light fixtures which embodies the interplay of ambience and functionality. The collection, designed by Grupa, includes an integrated lamp-table and a wall lamp and features clean outlines, a strong graphic signature, and an understated elegance which have become hallmarks of Grupa's design language.
SHEET SEAT
As a collaborative project, Tokyo-based designer Yuma Kano worked with BASF JAPAN to design an experimental and minimal chair design for the Material Design Exhibition held by Material ConneXion Tokyo. Originally designed back in 2018, the goal was to develop a product using Elastollan®, a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) created by BASF.
HOUSE IN BUNGOTAKADA
Nestled in a quiet residential area in the city of Bungotakada in Oita, sits a minimalist dwelling designed by Yabashi Architects that features an open-plan, one-room space that is connected by the idea of using the steps of the floor to take over the role of the walls. Yabashi aimed to create a landscape element that affects the architecture and the mountains in the distance that are continuous with the atmosphere of the residential area.
COLUMN TABLE LAMP
With a minimalist shape inspired by the bollards used to secure vessels to a jetty, Audo's portable Column Table Lamp, designed by Danish studio Norm Architects, combines technology and mood-setting style in a striking mushroom shape.
SHTEF SHELVING SYSTEM
Grupa, a studio established by three designers (Filip Despot, Ivana Pavić, and Tihana Taraba) in Croatia's capital Zagreb, are the principle makers behind the minimal Shtef shelving system for Prostoria. Made in collaboration with architecture studio 3LHD, Shtef is a highly modular lightweight system which was designed specifically to be able to adapt with ease to any interior.
MA-HOUSE NEO
Japanese architecture firm Kubota Architect Atelier are no strangers to Minimalissimo. The latest architectural gem handpicked from their remarkable portfolio is MA-HOUSE NEO. Located in Matsuyama City, the beautifully reborn space gives you the feeling of being in an oasis or nature, eliminating the boundaries that separate everything, the inside and the outside, the mind and nature, and allowing the mind and nature to assimilate into a wide, rich, and free world.
Supply spotlight
minimal product design made to own (and made by us):
M–100–0–DIPTYCH
100–0 is a split-fountain diptych print series utilising 13 hand-mixed tints of black ink and white to create a fluid gradient screenprint from 100% black to nearly white across two sheets.
Where next?
Discovery
other things for you to read, explore, and maybe even admire:
nordic knots: minimal rugs inspired by Scandinavia
lyma: the ultimate supplement formula
infinity pillow: an essential travel accessory
small communities: Manu explains why they're the best communities
This monthly edition of the Minimalissimo newsletter was supported by aprile, the hanging chair
inspired by spring days and designed by Matteo Modica, aprile is a simple suspended chair that oozes elegance—a floating seat, shaped after spring petals, swinging gently. designed and handcrafted in Italy with artisanal love.
whether you're looking for visual inspiration or design insights, you can visit our gallery to discover the very best of minimalism in art and design.
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