| SPHAUS / MILAN INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE FAIR 2006 |
SpHaus was established in 2004 by Filippo Dell'Orto. The idea behind it is simple: first of all, for a designer to express his own creativity in the first person, not working for someone else but setting up his own business. And then, to start from scratch (something not often done in Italy these days) and set up a business which, while positioned in a tiny, elite niche market, will go down in the history of contemporary design.
The first collection marking the brand's debut in April 2004 was a collection of 15 items almost all designed by Filippo Dell'Orto, laying spHaus' foundations. Tables and chairs, coffee tables and lamps characterised by pure, anti-decorative design that is functional, non minimal.
In 2005 the spHaus catalogue grew with the addition of 13 new items. The intention was to expand the range by introducing designs produced by different designers which suit the spHaus style but add to its variety. Some of the world's most promising young designers were selected to help come up with a more mature, advanced collection.
The 2006 collection includes 10 new designs which, like the others, strive for formal and technical innovation. One of the most interesting new addition is a set of chairs by Danish designer Johannes Thorpe: the items in the collection are oversized, but ultra-light thanks to use of polystyrene as a structural material. And a system of free-standing shelves with a traditional set-up but ingeniously designed proportions and flexibility for customised layout.
2006 was also the year of the first collection of accessories: all made of ceramics, an age-old material which is still worked by hand but is pure and malleable enough to adapt easily to even the most contemporary forms.
Two new lamps for the collection SpHaus 2006 are shows by Filip Gordon Frank – Mini me –, and Modoloco with Cleo.
The Img mirror and towel-rack by Fabio Bortolani transformed itself in a lamp too.
A seating system 500kg by Johannes Torpe is based on 5 elements (a chair, a footstool and three armrests) which can create a wide variety of compositions when put together: an armchair, a chaise-longue, a straight or corner sofa of any size. The detail that makes this system unique is structural: the elements are made of high density expanded polyurethane, covered with polyurethanic foam and then with a removable fabric upholstery. The result is an ultra-light product: one person can easily take it apart and put it back together with ease.
Kaar is a contemporary version of the classic etagère, by Setsu Ito and Shinobu Ito.
Again designed by Setsu Ito and Shinobu Ito SpHaus present also the armchair and sofa Spira.
A.B.C. by Lorenzo Damiani is a wall mirror placed over a steel plate so that magnetic coloured plastic letters can be attached. The letters on the mirror form a work of pop art, a frame, or an occasional message: whatever your imagination suggests.
Flirtstones is an asymmetrical seating system, by Barbara Goltermann. Each separate item (sofa, armchair and two footstools) can be independent or become part of the most varied compositions.
Enrico Buscemi and Piergiorgio Leone designed Lake: Coffee table with mat lacquered top and powder coated steel wire frame. The socket bottom is in anodized aluminium.
Ceiling or wall light Sun by Tonylight. The base is matt white powder-coated steel. Bulbs are protected by an opalescent methylacrylate cover that gives the light a golden hue and creates a curious star-like effect.
SQ3 by Alessandra Bettolo and Betty Sperandeo are shelves sold in single columns available in two heights with a depth of 30cm. The taller column comes with 3 cubes of coloured methacrylate, while the shorter version has 2.
Stay by Fabio Bortolani is available as both a floor lamp and a table lamp. Made of hard polyurethane with white embossed scratchproof paint. PAR30 100 w halogen bulb.
Mother chair made by Filippo Dell'Orto combining matt lacquered MDF and powder-coated aluminium in the same RAL colours so as to obtain consistency and continuity between the two materials, while at the same time underlining their differences.
Two unusual details help to increase the seat's comfort: firstly, the fact that the chair gently closes when prompted by a person's weight with the aid of a special hinge structure, and secondly, because Apple by Dodo Arslan is a rocking chair.
Its structure is made of polyurethane foam, reinforced with a tubular steel frame. This item is available in all the fabrics and leathers shown in the catalogue.
Big box by Enrico Cesana is a container system based on four modules: three linear modules and one-L-shaped module which can be put together in a variety of different ways. The large sliding drawers may be fitted with a range of accessories.
Lite by Eero Sairanen is rectangular coffee table in laser-cut peraluman aluminium plate, modelled by hand. Automotive paint finish, hand-polished, with clear scratchproof coating.
T2, coffee table formed of two L-shaped elements of different heights that may be joined together and overlapped. Designed by Luca Casini.
Zero L, by Clara Pozzetti, is a light designed like a piece of jewellery: it may be hung on the wall with the hook provided or simply placed on a surface.
Designed by Filippo Dell'Orto are the seats Black betty and Soft pill, and the floor lamps E.t. and Hal 9003, in transparent methacrylate and stainless steel shade with perforated design.
Lowres, by Dodo Arslan is a sofa and armchair in polyurethane foam reinforced with a steel frame.
The colored tables ora L and ora M are designed by Roberta Savelli.
SpHaus
Via Vespucci 4
20038 Seregno (MI) Italy
Tel. +39.0362.330355
Fax +39.0362.242238
www.sphaus.it
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