Cassina has partnered with One Block Down for a new collaborative chair that pays homage to the 1930s Zig Zag chair. The chair features a wooden base and contrasting metal top layer and will arrive in a limited release of only 30 units. The industrial chair was showcased during Milan Design Week, highlighting Dutch designer Gerrit Rietveld's impact on contemporary design.
One Block Down was inspired by Rietveld’s original unstable form, which was held up by dove-tail joints. This concept was explored in the brand’s new version of the iconic chair, first imagined through a series of stacked chairs that formed a pyramid.
One Block Down explained the design process, stating: “The chair’s iconic wooden structure is overlaid with sheet metal panels – a nod to One Block Down’s architecture – and, while these two opposing materials keep their natural feel, light manipulates its raw surfaces to create a sinuous form that almost seems to change shape.”
Image Credit: Davide Tacchini
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Collaborative Design
- Partnerships between designers and brands to reimagine classic designs and create limited edition products
- Industrial Chic
- The popularity of industrial design elements in furniture, such as metal accents and raw materials
- Contemporary Homage
- A trend of paying tribute to historical furniture designs with contemporary twists and updated materials
Industries Being Reshaped
- Furniture
- Opportunities for furniture companies to collaborate with designers and create limited edition products that blend classic and contemporary elements
- Interior Design
- Growing demand for industrial-chic elements in home decor and furnishings
- Luxury Goods
- Creating limited edition furniture pieces that highlight craftsmanship and design
