MINIMALISSIMO EDITED
Good design is a matter of discipline. It starts by looking at the problem and collecting all the available information about it. If you understand the problem, you have the solution. It's really more about logic than imagination.
– Massimo Vignelli
What's happening?
Sometimes I feel when writing this newsletter that there is a silent pressure to update you on projects, refinements, and design thinking. I don't know why I feel this, it's stupid, really. Quite often my focus is simply to maintain. To be consistent in curation quality, frequency, and taking care in what is published. I love looking ahead and making plans or visions of what might be made or crafted in the future, but sometimes it's important to slow down, forget about pushing forward with force and instead just find a walking pace and accept it. Pressure typically derives from comparison and expectation. But I think it's good to always keep expectations low, but standards high. It will probably work out better in the long term. In short, I'm trying to enjoy the walk.
– Carl
Features
SNMYO HOUSE
From what initially appears as a basic minimalist front facing grey facade, the SNMYO House, located in Ichinomiya in Japan and designed by Keitaro Muto Architects, has more and less to it—a white coloured roof appears, with one side of it exposed to reveal a vibrant outdoor space illuminated by natural lighting.
BIOMEGA EIN
Referencing the German word for 'one', the Biomega EIN is the first of its kind. A unique take on a modern urban lifestyle. The electric, single wheel, detachable trailer was conceptualised and designed for Biomega by Manyone. Described by Biomega as weightless progress, the electrical bike trailer represents a new for sustainable transport accessory for contemporary urbanites.
QUADERNA COLLECTION
If only Superstudio was still active today, we might be treated to such wonderful designs as the Quaderna furniture collection. The good news is that the collection is still in production courtesy of Zanotta. A family of unique and timeless furniture: an icon based on regular geometric shapes covered with squared white laminate and characterised by strict volumes; simple and perfect. A real "artificial landscape" extensible as you wish, neutral and strong at the same time: a single squared top "with legs" that becomes a table and space, as well as a chair, bed, bench, cabinet, stool.
SHADES OF PLUS MINUS ZERO
The ±0 brand is something of a symbol that expresses the idea of being “just right”. People naturally try identifying tools that fit in with their lifestyle based on their daily experiences. This is also a search one makes themselves for their own preferences. We explore some of the Japanese brand's beautifully designed range of small and minimal household products.
CHAPEL IN SIERRA LA VILLA
Nestled on a rural estate in Cuenca, Spain, this elegant minimal chapel has been designed by Madrid-based architecture firm Sancho-Madridejos. The chapel, which jointly includes a family house, is developed from a single curved fold. The curved fold is a response to complex external stresses of a topological action. It is not an origami, rather it is a formal topological expression—in structural equilibrium—that responds to these outer strains.
THE PRINCIPLE OF LIGHTNESS
On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, MDF Italia has launched a minimalist capsule collection which reimagines four classic products. Created to mark this special anniversary, The Principle of Lightness Collection—limited editions in hand polished steel or aluminium finishes—reimagines four exemplary products from its history; simultaneously freezing them in time and bringing new life to them.
Supply spotlight
minimal design made to own (and made by us):
M–SLM–880–ICONS: ANDROID
A minimal icon set that includes over 100 icon designs for the most popular apps, letting you customise your home screen to give it a clean, calm, and beautiful aesthetic.
Where next?
Discovery
other things for you to read, explore, and maybe even admire:
The Dwell House: a 540-square-foot, one-bedroom 'ADU' that fits in most backyards
NeueBit: a beautiful pixel font; crafted for maximum legibility, versatility, and pairing capacity
isitgood.design: how good is your design? this is a scoring system measured against Dieter Rams' design principles
code 2022: Tim Cook, Sir Jony Ive, and Laurene Powell Jobs talk... Steve Jobs
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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