MINIMALISSIMO EDITED
The simpler and more intuitive you can make something, the better. Most of us know the feeling of being overwhelmed by technical complexity, but lately also by endless possibilities within the virtual world. Values can help here to guide us in what is right—for society and for us personally.
– Oliver Grabes
What's happening?
Hello. On one hand, given the cost of inflation most of us are experiencing, making grand plans are likely to remain dreams for the foreseeable future (or at best delay plans). On the other, I am trying to move forward with an exciting domestic project: building a prefabricated house (which, incidentally, would also become Minimalissimo's HQ). I recently wrote a short blog post on why I think prefab architecture is an attractive approach in terms of home building, and although I'm still in the very early stages of the project, I hope this doesn't just become an unattainable dream. I'm probably about 3 years out from realising the build, so time is hopefully on my side (he says naively). Anyway, I decided to publish an ongoing project page, which you're welcome to check out if this is something you're also pursuing or if you're simply curious. Now let's have a look at some recent features.
– Carl
Features
RC03 CONSOLE TABLE
Designed by Rotterdam-based Johan Viladrich, RC03 is the simplest expression of a console. A 1500mm steel plate leans onto two 800mm tall steel tubes. The three elements are connected with large custom made steel bolts.
TORUS HOUSE
Brutalist architecture at its finest. Designed by Noriaki Hanaoka Architecture and located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, Torus House was built under severe conditions on a steep north-down slope. The lower part is an intermediate space, while the floating upper part is a one-room living space, with concrete structure as a base for living.
POSIT
Designed by Karl-Johan Hjerling for Swedish furniture design studio Snickeriet, the expression of Posit stems from its assembly, which has been stripped down to the most rudimentary components. The glass top is glued to the glass frame and is meticulously slid on top of a perfectly fitted cedar base.
GERMAN APPLIED DESIGN
Every country produces exceptional designers while some countries offer particular approaches to design with renowned craftsmanship and special materials. As part of our applied design series, we look at a selection of works of German designers spanning a range of topics within the spectrum of minimalism.
VIKTORIA'S HOUSE
Viktoria's house is located in Vals in South Tyrol at about 1350m above sea level. Designed by Andreas Gruber Architects, the concrete brutalist building is located in the south-facing Vals valley and is accompanied by steeply rising mountain slopes that end in meadows and forests in barren peaks.
KEHAI CLOCK
“kehai” embodies a slightly ambiguous sign of time. This clock was originally designed in 2004 by Makoto Koizumi and has now been produced by Lemnos. The movement of the dimly visible hands softly conveys an ambiguous sign of time through the translucent glass.
Supply spotlight
minimal 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. The project, which was two years in the making, is a mixed art and design collaboration between Minimalissimo and hybrid graphic designers/artists, Berger & Föhr.
Where next?
Discovery
other things for you to read, explore, and maybe even admire:
Thoughts on RSS: taking back control of your content feed
LifeLabs: a sustainable and environmentally-friendly materials science company with a beautiful design aesthetic
metalabel: a group of people working under a common identity for a common purpose with a focus on releases
AIAIAI Mix 055 - ANASTASIA KRISTENSEN: recommended mix
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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