Header: The Solice by Neri&Hu for Arflex, courtesy of Neri&Hu
Neri&Hu Design and Research Office is an interdisciplinary architectural design studio based in Shanghai, with offices in Milan and Paris. Milan Design Week, a fair internationally known as the number one place to show your designs to the world, will host Neri&Hu while it unveils its latest installations and product designs for Arflex, Cassina, Ento, Stellar Works, and Valcucine. The variety of products represents the studio’s interdisciplinary approach, which constantly tries to find meaningful dialogues between furniture, accessories, product design, and interior design within architecture.
The Solice
The Solice armchair, designed by Neri&Hu for Arflex, has an inherent simplicity to it, transmitted through its structural design. A line goes from the feet with a small bend and goes on to form the chair’s legs, armrests, and back, making it appear lighter than it is. The chair will be exhibited at Salone del Mobile, alongside many other ingenious furniture designs.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Neri&Hu
The lighting collection
Neri&Hu also designed a lighting collection for Cassina at Cassina Store Milano. Inspired by the structure of a kite, the collection is comprised of translucent woven fabric wrapped around a thin metal wire frame, which becomes the shade of the lamp. The light’s thinner section, meticulously made to be the smallest possible, gives off a gentle and elegant lighting effect on the subtle texture of the fabric.
The Xū
The handle collection, Xū, by Neri&Hu for Ento, explores the normally uncharted space within bamboo, bringing the plant’s inner realm into the conversation. The hollow inside has a natural concave form, perfect for the thumb to press and grip the handle.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Neri&Hu
The Canvas and the Plintch
The installation “The Canvas and the Plinth” was designed by Neri&Hu for Stellar Works at The Garage, a Marco Zanuso building. The installation, a fusion of traditional and contemporary elements, is inspired by Marco Zanuso’s vision of a profound connection between painters and architects. More than just a display, the installation is an architectural dance that intertwines art and space.
Alongside the installation, Neri&Hu will showcase its latest furniture designs for Stellar Works: the Intercollection (a coat hanger), the Lyrical collection (a side table), the Mr. B collection (a chair), and the Qi collection (a sofa).
Photo credit: Courtesy of Neri&Hu
The Hearth
The Hearth, designed by Neri&Hu and exhibited at Valcucine’s group exhibition Architectural Scenarios, shares the studio’s vision of the kitchen as a spatial metaphor for warmth and conviviality within a home. The installation is divided into two parts: a public one in nature with the kitchen sitting on an open plaza, and a more private kitchen located within a wooden structure. Additionally, Neri&Hu developed an array of everyday objects that act as prosthetic utensils.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Neri&Hu