B-LINE debuts new chair designs by karim rashid and favaretto&partners
B-LINE was born in 1999 out of a desire to revive design icons such as the ‘BOBY’ trolley storage unit and transformable ‘MULTICHAIR’ seating system by joe colombo; and the modular ‘4/4’ table and bookcase by rodolfo bonetto, that were no longer in production. since then, the italian company has been manufacturing furnishings for the home, office and contract sectors, making a name for itself on the international design scene by boasting a product catalog of pieces noted for their versatility, originality, sculptural shapes and ethical sensitivity — employing a careful use of diverse materials and technologies.
as B-LINE safeguards the important legacy of pioneering designers and continues to grow, it has established collaborations with some of today’s most eclectic creatives such as karim rashid, and rigorous designers favaretto&partners; both who have contributed new seating pieces to B-LINE’s steadily growing collection of furniture, which were debuted during the 2016 salone del mobile in milan.
‘HOOP’ is made from a polyurethane that has a characteristically high surface hardness, even at low thicknesses
‘HOOP’ by karim rashid is produced in a rigid polyurethane, rendered through RIM (reaction injection moulding technology). this particular method was employed for the production of the chair’s shell because it enables even large-sized objects to be made with the utmost precision, while also establishing considerable savings in energy consumption when compared to regular injection moulding. the technopolymer from which ‘HOOP’ is made is a structural polyurethane that has a characteristically high surface hardness, and extreme mechanical strength even when it has low thickness. it is chemically inert to a great many substances and has the ability to withstand moisture, as well as hot and cold temperatures. an added bonus is that it is 100% recyclable making it a plastic material that graciously combines aesthetics and functionality into a single component.
the design is characterized by an ergonomically enveloping curve
the shell of the chair ranges in thickness from 4-6mm making it extremely lightweight, and is finished with water-based paint in black, white, dove grey and light blue. ‘HOOP’ is supported by galvanised steel legs in white or black, suitable for outdoor use; and chrome brilliant steel, or a natural solid beech wood, perfect for interior environments. in its entirety, ‘HOOP’ exudes a distinctive, minimalist, yet sensual and almost aerodynamic design, all characterized by an ergonomically enveloping curve.
‘HOOP’ is supported by galvanised steel legs making it suitable for outdoor use
‘my mantra of sensual minimalism is exemplified with the ‘HOOP’ chair. ‘HOOP’ is pure simplicity, designed as a soft plane of warm plastic laying over a metal or wood frame. the ergonomic shape creates integrated handle. ‘HOOP’ leaves you enveloped in calming simplicity, comfort and ease.’ – karim rashid
for indoor use, ‘HOOP’ can be accompanied by natural solid beech wood legs
‘HELIX’ by favaretto&parners is defined by legs that draw formal references from the shape of a propeller
for B-LINE’s product line-up, favaretto&partners have created ‘HELIX’ and ‘OVERPASS’ — two chairs that hail from very different worlds.
‘HELIX’ is defined by its long back legs whose various cross-sections recall the elegant screw shape of a propeller, that extend into the design’s slender curved backrest. the chair comes in a version with a back support that features a corset of elasticized cord that visually transforming ‘HELIX’ with a distinctive graphic mark. the contrast it creates with the warm beech wood grain of its frame, makes its eclectic dynamism even more evident. ‘HELIX’ also comes in a version that has a set upholstered in kvadrat fabrics that brings a softness and warmth to the natural feel of the wood.
‘HELIX’ comes in a version that features a corset of elasticized cord through its back
‘HELIX’ is designed for the domestic and contract realm
‘OVERPASS’ takes fashion details and employs them into a seating design
on the other hand, ‘OVERPASS’ has a padded bucket seat with a tailored cut that makes it ideal for the domestic environment or contract industry. taking on an aesthetic that draws on fashion details, one is able to change their comfort needs by lifting the chair’s ‘collar’ which allows them to alters the seat’s back height. the button-down detail makes it a casual armchair that suits any living room, entrance hall or bedroom.
button down detail of the design’s collar
OVERPASS’ has a padded bucket seat with a tailored cut that makes it ideal for domestic and contract environments
B-LINE now renders joe colombo’s iconic ‘BOBY’ trolley storage unit in a cool sky blue shade
and top it all off, B-LINE is now issuing joe colombo’s ‘BOBY’ trolley storage unit which is much more than a simple container, in a cool sky blue shade called ‘bonnie blue’ to accompany the designs already classic colours: black, white, red, aluminium, lime green and tornado grey. functionality and detail are the iconic design’s strong points which, together with an undeniably pop flavour, continue to make it the most popular storage trolley in creative and medical sectors, as well as in the home today. designed with injection-moulded ABS plastic drawers and compartments that guarantee simple vertically modular solutions, ‘BOBY’ provides versatile customized storage capacity, while its polypropylene casters guarantee full mobility.
see designboom’s instagram coverage @milan.design.week
B-LINE (4)
KARIM RASHID (46)
MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2016 (169)
SALONE DEL MOBILE MILANO 2016 (80)
PRODUCT LIBRARY
a diverse digital database that acts as a valuable guide in gaining insight and information about a product directly from the manufacturer, and serves as a rich reference point in developing a project or scheme.