mario bellini for meritalia 'via lattea' children furniture

'via lattea' air-filled furniture for children 'only' by mario bellini for meritalia
image © designboom

the 'stardust' 07/08 collection, created by mario bellini for meritalia, returns this year in a version
for children. the 'via lattea' project is based on an 'air ravioli' concept, deriving from the packaging
sector. mario bellini transformed lightweight stainless steel mesh of industrial filters and recycled
fibres, used in construction (and also for the transportation of sugar, grains or stones) into surprisingly
elegant and indestructible furniture items.


'via lattea' is padded / filled with transparent bubbles of 'pure air'.
image © designboom

the extremely low-cost and high-pressure technical materials were combined for the strong white
fabric with distanced warps and wefts in black carbon threads (originally used as earthing for
electrostatic currents).


'via lattea' photo wall by oliviero toscani
image © designboom

these robust furniture pieces are particularly lightweight and can be lifted easily.


'via lattea' presentation during milan furniture fair with photo wall by oliviero toscani
image © designboom


'via lattea' collection for children
image © designboom


'via lattea' chaise-longue and cube-pouf

'via lattea' furniture can also be used outdoors and in a swimming-pool or at the seaside.



'via lattea' prototypes


'via lattea' prototypes


glow-in-the-dark - the 2007/08 'stardust' version (for adults)


glow-in-the-dark - the 2007/08 'stardust' version (for adults)


glow-in-the-dark - the 2007/08 'stardust' version (for adults)


'stardust' prototype

this series works with low consumption LEDs which are inserted in the pieces, transforming pillows,
poufs, chaise-longues, armchairs and sofas into luminous objects.


'stardust' prototype

the innovative idea was to use a sort of bubble wrap for the padding, similar to that used for packing.