MINIMALISSIMO EDITED
People shouldn't really have to think about an object when they are using it. Not having to think about it makes the relationship between a person and an object run more smoothly.
– Naoto Fukasawa
What's happening?
We're back! Took a bit of a break from the newsletter while I was sidelined with other projects, so there's a lot to catch up on. Although the newsletter took a break, the website has continued to churn out feature after feature of beautiful minimalism. So I'll recap some of my favourites below, but of course, you can always hop over to the site and take a look through our categories and collections.
One thing we have recently re-introduced on the site is sponsorship. But done very differently this time. We're inviting brands and/or studios to sponsor particular categories for an entire year. And there's no set fee. You simply make an offer for us to consider. So if you're a lighting company that produces lamps, it would make sense for you to sponsor the lighting category. Beyond the site, we're also seeking to secure a year long sponsor for this newsletter. It just helps with the maintenance costs. So let me know if this is something you're interested in.
Read more about becoming a sponsor
I also recently wrote a short blog post reflecting on Minimalissimo and what it means to me. It touches on perseverance and success. As we're now into year 15 of this little website about minimal design, it's kind of crazy that we're still going strong. I love that.
Finally, a big side project of mine, and very much in line with minimalist design, is the launch of 099.supply. It's a mockup marketplace with 3D photo-realistic products engineered to help the design community thrive. Each product has 27 variations which you can choose from before downloading and customising further in Photoshop. It's an exciting new direction and with the aim of producing 99 products, we have launched with 10 beautiful designs with the next batch coming soon. Check it out if you've ever used or considered using mockups to showcase your work.
Read about the project background
– Carl
Features
FIELD DESK
The prolific Swedish design studio teenage engineering have recently unveiled their latest work in the form of the minimal and brutalist Field Desk. A deviation from their typical audio design, yet with a distinctive design language that we have come to recognise. Constructed from recycled aluminium and assembled with double-sided formica birch plywood, field desk is teenage engineering's very own modular workspace. It's everything it needs to be and nothing it doesn't.
KOREAN 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 Korean designers spanning a range of topics within the spectrum of minimalism.
THE RAUM OBJECTS
Handcrafted and sculptural minimalism, designed in Hamburg and brought to life by Carolin Balas Pavisic. The Raum Objects is a capsule collection consisting of four chairs each representing a letter in "Raum"—and one table—available in different colours. The furniture pieces, composed of powder coated steel, interact with themselves and their surrounding space, stimulating a dynamic relationship with their "Be-Sitzenden". Each object turns its owner into a conversation partner who is modifying the object's arrangement and purpose.
SHOP LIGHT
Designed by Montréal-based experimental studio A-OKAY, the Shop Light is a made to order minimalist lamp that references the protective cages found in industrial shop lighting. The goal is to bring this familiar architecture into the context of contemporary living spaces.
MVS LOUNGE CHAIR
We first shared the remarkably minimal MVS lounge chair back in 2013. 10 years on, it's time to shine a fresh light on this incredible design by Maarten van Severen. Originally designed back in 2000, the chair's resilient material adapts to the shape of the body and is quite soft and pleasantly pliable. The sleek and versatile frame structure makes it easy for users to alternate between a sitting and reclining position by simply shifting their weight.
HOUSE OF LORRAINE
Once a decayed place, House of Lorraine was a grievance at the Grote Markt in Mechelen. So dmvA was asked to transform this corner and revive the market and street scene. In this project there was great importance attached to urban integration, with respect for the history of the building. For dmvA, high quality living was also the aim.
THINKING PERSON LAMP
When we come up with a brilliant idea in the face of a problem, we call it to a light bulb moment. The Thinking Person lamp reflects a person who came up with a brilliant idea after thinking. Conceived by SEUNGHO Design Studio, the glass cover that comes down with a sense of volume that represents the root of "thinker".
HILLTOP HOUSE
This exquisite white box house designed by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects has been built on top of a hill that was generated during land development at the foot of a mountain. The housing site occupies about 830 square-metres, and is situated in a location with nice panoramic views of nearby mountains.
YOELL
Belgian architect and designer Vincent van Duysen has restyled an archetype created in the 1950s; the deckchair. Supported by an elegant solid wooden structure stained of Black Oak, Eucalyptus, or Sunrise Oak, Yoell reflects the distinctive feature of the deckchair, designed for relaxing in patios, living spaces, and terraces blessed with a tropical climate. In his minimalist version, Vincent underlines the difference with the systems of the original chairs, featuring textiles or straw with freedom of movement by designing a brand new element.
ORA RAW
Conceived by Australian designer Ross Gardam, the brutalist Ora Raw desk lamp reflects a desire for purity and honesty in materials and manufacturing. A beloved design classic, the Ora collection celebrates the tactility of aluminium and the calming essence of a single light with expert engineering and refined function.
Supply spotlight
minimal product design made to own (and made by us):
M–WATCH
An exclusive design collaboration between HODINA and Minimalissimo to produce 300 limited edition timepieces. It is one of our most proud collaborations, realised through our shared vision for a minimalist lifestyle and timeless design. Each timepiece is individualised with a numbered edition.
Where next?
Discovery
other things for you to read, explore, and maybe even admire:
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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