PRINCIPLES – a new furniture collection designed by OMA with global workplace furniture designer and manufacturer UniFor – has been unveiled for the Milan Design Week 2022. The furniture range characterized by simple yet rigorous forms and offering an endless spectrum of configurations is the result of the close collaboration between UniFor and OMA since 2018.
The fundamental concept of PRINCIPLES is to provide furnishings that can be used by anyone, at any time, to best support the flow of operations and communications required by the contemporary workplace. The collection is composed of more than one hundred elements – in the sizes S, M, L, and XL and organized into different categories – which can be configured in limitless ways for working in groups or independently.
One of the families, the ‘spines’ of the collection, includes straight and curved partition panels that can be joined to form individual pods for private calls and focused work, or semi-secluded nooks for smaller meetings. Another family comprises ring-shaped sofas and soft islands that allow for more informal interaction.
The elements, which provide for multiple and diversifiable functions and applications, have been designed to give form to every type of space, be it for working, waiting, meeting, relaxing, or any combination of functions. Conceptualized as an interior micro-architecture, each space has its own identity differentiated by forms, colors, and dimensions.
Each piece in the collection has been specifically designed to ensure the flexibility of the workplace and to offer a maximum level of functionality for the convenience of its users. The desks and tables have double-layered surfaces for multiple uses such as eating, working, and organizing. The furnishings are fully wired, giving users the flexibility to work anywhere in the office, while soundproof materials are incorporated into their design for elevated acoustic performance.
Exploration of technology and materiality is integral to the development of the collection. Fabric for high-tech sportswear, extra-thick color core laminates in carefully selected tones, and specially designed microperforated sheet metals for acoustic performing surface have been deployed to create the highly functional furniture. Source by OMA.
- Location: Milan, Italy
- Architect: OMA
- Partner: Rem Koolhaas
- Team: Philippe Braun, Giulio Margheri, Katrin Betschinger, Camille Filbien, Valerio Di Festa, Natalie Konopelski, Konstantinos Papasimakis, Andrea Verni, Giada Zuan
- Collaborator Design: Antonio Barone
- Client: UniFor
- Year: 2022
- Photographs: DSL Studio, Courtesy of OMA
