FLOCK: tacchini and formafantasma exhibit innovative use of sheep's wool in milan

installation ‘flock’ debuts in milan

Tacchini has teamed up with Formafantasma once again to present a sustainability-focused project at Milan Design Week 2023, unveiled with an installation titled Tacchini FLOCK. The installation is curated by Formafantasma to showcase a new fabrication process that considers both tradition and contemporary environmental concerns. Four iconic upholstered seating options — including Le Mura, Costela, Five to Nine, and Lina — have been reimagined from the inside out to address sustainability and circularity of materials. This installation showcases the extensive research conducted by Tacchini and Formfantasma to create upholstery production that is more eco-friendly. Located at Milan’s Capsule Plaza, FLOCK will be on view until April 23rd, 2023.

‘We want to offer quintessential Tacchini designs with a new approach to upholstered stuffing, improving the products with a natural solution that supports small producers,’ say Simone Farresin and Andrea Trimarchi of Formafantasma.

image © Andrea Ferrari

traditional methods reinvented with sustainable approach

Unveiling its FLOCK installation, curated by design studio Formafantasma, furniture manufacturer Tacchini notes that ‘not all design revolutions are visible.’ Together, the team leads a new manufacturing process that combines traditional utilitarian practices with a more sustainable approach.

Formafantasma has reworked the upholstery of seating by introducing a sustainable, nature-based approach to produce iconic Tacchini designs. The technique is inspired by antique mattress production and involves using surplus sheep’s wool to replace industrial foam. Softness and stuffing is created with natural latex in combination with non-polluting sheep’s wool, a natural material that is usually considered a waste product.

image © Andrea Ferrari

continuing the heritage of tacchini

This new solution will premiere in seating designs that draw from Tacchini’s entire history, including the radical design classic of the Le Mura sofa by Mario Bellini, the Brazilian naturalism of the Costela armchair by Martin Eisler, the structurally ingenious solidity of the light-framed Lina armchair by Gianfranco Frattini, and the essentialist geometry of the Five-to-Nine daybed by Studiopepe. These designs are known for their lasting aesthetics and environmental considerations, both in terms of their manufacturing impact and longevity. Each design will be available with its traditional stuffing and the new wool and natural latex filling option.

Tacchini presents the project as a significant advancement in the manufacture of upholstered seating and to collaborate with the groundbreaking studio of Formafantasma in innovating new methods.

image © Andrea Ferrari

image © Andrea Ferrari
image © Andrea Ferrari

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image courtesy Capsule Plaza

tacchini at salone del mobile

In addition to its FLOCK installation curated by Formafantasma, Tacchini has introduced its new 2023 products at Salone del Mobile. The brand is known for its cutting-edge furniture and continues to expand its catalogue with a new living philosophy focused on conviviality. With organic shapes and strong materiality, the newly unveiled chairs and tables include both historical masterpieces re-edited by architect Tobia Scarpa, such as the Sempronia and Dialogo chairs, as well as the unreleased T-Table, and contemporary designs by Lorenzo Bini.

In addition to these designs, Tacchini is collaborating with new designers such as Umberto Bellardi Ricci, EWE Studio, Salem van der Swaagh, and Brian Thoreen, and expanding their collections like Sesann by Gianfranco Frattini. Lastly, the Le Mura seating, which was launched in honor of Mario Bellini’s design 50th anniversary last year, is now available in a new color palette designed by Formafantasma.

Equinox and Solstice by Studiopepe | image © Andrea Ferrari