MINIMALISSIMO EDITED
This newsletter is supported by aprile, the hanging chair
Design means observing objectively. It means being aware of our living nature, a simple element in the larger environment. I like when a project doesn't sell my name or my characteristic, when it is just an object that happens to be there. Not anonymous, just natural.
– Naoto Fukasawa
What's happening?
Is it just me, or has noise around this year's Salone del Mobile Milano been relatively quiet? The thing begins in a couple of days and in the lead up to it, we typically receive a wave of emails. Maybe it's partly down to me constantly unsubscribing from newsletters that I didn't sign up to in the first place, in combination with our new approach of asking for a commission on suggested features of self-promoted work. Regardless, I need to take a closer look at what's being showcased next week because there's always some beautifully minimal and interesting objects to discover. Anything I should keep an eye out for? Are you attending at all? I'm curious to make a return visit there. Could be next year.
– Carl
Features
HOUSE IN HIGASHI GOTANDA
This two floor wooden house with a steel facade sits in a quiet residential area in the city centre of Tokyo. In a dense residential area, it is usually challenging to get an adequate amount of light on to the ground floor. Surrounding this site, there was a low-rise apartment building, and a house of the same height. Architects CASE-REAL proposed to set up a terrace on the second floor and gently divide it with angled louvers to create an intermediate space that allows light and wind to pass through while shielding the view from the neighbouring land.
NO.30
Zinc is assigned number 30 on the periodic table. It is from this number that project no.30 derive their name and it is from this unassuming metal that all of their products find their beginnings. Located in Changhua, Taiwan, their family-run factory focuses on zinc production and has been in operation for over forty years. In 2013, no.30 started collaborating with international designers to realise a new vision for zinc products. Today, the retailer catalogues an impressive and incredibly minimalist range of homewares, figurines, and office stationery.
CHORD MACHINE AKT-0.1
The Akuto Chord Machine AKT-0.1 is a minimalist MIDI controller keyboard that makes it easy to play chords and tune melodies. You can connect it to your personal computer via USB and use it with any software that can receive MIDI inputs, such as DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) or game engines.
OPENING NEXT TO THE PARK
Located in a residential neighbourhood in Hokkaido, Japan, the minimal yet unusual house designed by Qukan perches on a quiet corner across from a small children’s park. Boasting a crisp white facade with simple timber accents, the project's distinctive feature is a large, curtain wall device that punctuates the eastern elevation and conceals a versatile, semi-enclosed transitionary space.
NIIIL DEBUT COLLECTION
niiil is a Singapore-based collaborative brainchild between two artists that share an interest in a design process pushed by imagination and play. Their debut collection consists of various metallic furniture pieces including lounge chairs, dining chairs, a desk, dining table, and a side table.
CHOOZE COFFEE
A minimalist interior design project by id inc. for CHOOZE COFFEE, their first flag-ship store located in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. CHOOZE COFFEE uses decaf beans that are made from high-quality specialty coffee. It's a coffee brand that offers a new experience of choosing the amount of caffeine.
Supply spotlight
minimal product design made to own (and made by us):
M–GO–PACK
When you need more than just your pockets. This practically sized bag is big enough for a camera and other everyday essentials, and small enough so you can stay light and roam free anywhere. Made in collaboration with ODA and with different divider options, the Go Pack can be customised for any occasion from daily use to full day explorations.
Where next?
Discovery
other things for you to read, explore, and maybe even admire:
make something wonderful: Steve Jobs in his own words
self: configure and produce your own furniture
incentives and motivations: an obsession with growth
099 supply: minimal product mockups with a dark aesthetic
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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