joe colombo - ‘total furnishing unit’

joe colombo - ‘total furnishing unit’ .......................................................................................................................................................................................

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joe colombo - ‘total furnishing unit’

in the late 60s, colombo’s career took a far more
experimental turn.
he began to create entire living environments
that included all the functions of a given room -
continuing the use of plastic.
the ‘total functioning unit’ was a capsule-like
structure divided in ‘functional stations’:
the ‘central living unit’ is for daily activities as
reading and listening to music.
shelves with an integrated tv hang from above.
the bed, the bathroom and wardrobes you will find
in the ‘night cell’.
the ‘kitchen box’ is composed of an air-conditioned
kitchen and an extendable table for dining.
the ‘functional unit’ was exhibited in 1969
by the plastic company ‘bayer’ at the visiona in köln.

the ‘total furnishing unit’ is a multifunctional module
which features maximum compactness with varying
degrees of flexible movement.
this block incorporated a kitchen, cupboard, bedroom
and bathroom all in one.
this ‘living unit’ was part of the ‘new domestic
landscape’ exhibition at the new york museum of
modern art in 1972

all these units were designed in typical pop hues as
white, silver, purple and banana yellow.
the industrie’s favorite color yellow highlights the
object’s functionalism.

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see

inventing the future

biography of joe colombo

'universale' chair

elda easychair

superleggera easychair

total furnishing unit

modular furniture

recliners

cabriolet bed

birillo barstool

lighting

smoke glass, 1964

serving tray