Massaud's Airberg collection for Offecct comprises a long sofa and a chunky chair, both with an asymmetrical backrest.

"Airberg consists of a structural case that gives the impression of being filled with a vacuum, but is in reality filled with a flexible padding material," explained Offecct.

The collection, currently still in prototype form, is one of the first results from the new Offecct Lab research and development initiative.

The design was presented at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan alongside UNStudio's curvy red seating for Offecct – see all news and products from Milan 2013.

Massaud recently collaborated with auto maker Toyota to create an "anti-crisis" concept car with plastic bodywork and a bamboo bonnet – see all design by Jean-Marie Massaud.

Other Offecct furniture we've published recently includes a chair by Japanese studio Nendo that flicks out like a flowing cape and a sofa with a winged backrest by Spanish designer Carlos Tíscar – see all design by Offecct.

Here's some more information from Offecct:

Airberg by Jean-Marie Massaud is an innovative piece of furniture that breaks with conventions.

Airberg is one of the first results to come out of the work at Offecct Lab, a strategic initiative designed to concentrate Offecct's efforts in the development of new solutions and new products. Airberg is not ready for production yet, but should be seen as a result of an ongoing R&D process where Offecct and Jean-Marie Massaud dared to develop a piece of seating furniture for the meeting places of the future.

The inspiration behind the form of Airberg is a combination of a comfortable, inviting piece of seating furniture and an iceberg filled with vacuum. The furniture's abstract form is light in its expression and Airberg is contemporary both in its design and in the technique used.

"Offecct is prominent in offering the market a strong and varied product selection. This means that with Airberg I could take a step further and break with conventions and question existing norms of what a piece of seating furniture usually looks like," says Jean-Marie Massaud.

Airberg consists of a structural case which gives the impression of being filled with a vacuum, but is in reality filled with a flexible padding material. The unique craftsmanship used in the production of Airberg makes it possible to create a deconstructed piece of furniture that is more defined in its asymmetry. Jean-Marie Massaud has created a piece of furniture that is comfortable, sustainable and competent, making it highly contemporary.

"Offecct has always worked continuously with product development and lately we have intensified our efforts to taking yet another step in creating innovative and challenging products for the international market," says Kurt Tingdal, CEO, Offecct.

"With Airberg, Offecct, together with Jean-Marie Massaud, take a great leap in that direction resulting in a unique piece of furniture that has to be experienced," Kurt Tingdal concludes.

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for Offecct appeared first on Dezeen.

Called Concentré de Vie, the system by Matali Crasset comprises two upholstered chairs and two pebble-like cushions, housed in a triangular base that doubles as a single bed.

The elements are upholstered in neutral fabric with orange highlights and can be rearranged to accommodate different numbers of guests or activities as required.

Italian brand Campeggi showed the design at Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan. The brand has produced a few interesting pieces of furniture for house guests, with past products we've covered including a sofa wrapped in a fabric wall, a chair that transforms into a single bed and a coat stand that conceals a spare bed by Crasset.

See all our stories about design by Matali Crasset »
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Here's some more information from Campeggi:

Concentré de Vie is a project allowing diversity to express itself thanks to a set of elements that can be moved everywhere within the domestic landscape. It’s a mutant structure able to welcome from two to seven people turning from sofa to living room and proposing, at the same time, a different kind of comfort.

A team among which each member plays a main role: two square elements that become, one after the other, armrest, footstool or pouf; a box element acting as a binding agent that can be used as a single bed and finally two relaxing elements, real core of the whole system, which can be used together or separately.

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for Campeggi appeared first on Dezeen.

The shape of the Zephyr Sofa by Zaha Hadid for Italian firm Cassina Contract is derived from erosion patterns, resulting in fluid banks of seating with deep platforms and backrests to encourage sprawling. The pieces have no front or back and can be joined together to create larger configurations.

Hadid explained the origins of her flexible furniture designs in a talk on the opening night: "When I was doing plans years ago, people always said 'what kind of furniture will you put against this kind of curved wall?' So it emerged from that - this idea of making islands or spaces in a modulated form, a sequence or a fluid movement within a space."

"These pieces are very communicative, they are never meant to be pushed up against a wall," added partner Patrik Schumacher. "You can put them in any direction, you can seat more people and it's slightly ambiguous how you can congregate."

The outside surfaces are finished in glossy lacquer and topped with foam upholstered in tactile fabrics.

The piece was shown at Multiplicities, an exhibition of furniture designs by Zaha Hadid in the north of Milan last week, which also featured the Array auditorium seats by Zaha Hadid for Poltrona Frau Contract.

Elsewhere in Milan, Hadid also presented a limited edition of tables for marble brand Citco at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, two lamps for Slamp at the Euroluce lighting show and a bench based on glacial crevices in the Tortona district.

Photographs are by Jacopo Spilimbergo.

See all our stories about architecture and design by Zaha Hadid »
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Here's some more information from Zaha Hadid Architects:

The sinuous shape of the Zephyr sofa has been inspired by natural rock formations shaped by erosion: the application of subtractive processes that carve solid matter. The resulting formal language gives the Zephyr sofa increased ergonomic properties without compromising the design’s fluidity or proportion; translating into a concept that allows for multiple seating layouts.

The carved profile incorporates deep backrests and generous undercuts for unrivalled comfort. A lacquered finish applied to Zephyr’s structural elements highlights every subtle nuance of its composition, and is contrasted by the tactile qualities of its bespoke upholstery and cushioning.

Zephyr showcases Cassina Contract’s unrivalled technical experience and longstanding tradition of artisan excellence.

Architect: Zaha Hadid Design
Design: Zaha Hadid, Patrik Schumacher
Design team: Fulvio Wirz, Mariagrazia Lanza, Maha Kutay
Manufacturer: Cassina Contract
Dimensions: 265x284x73cm

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for Cassina Contract appeared first on Dezeen.

Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, the duo behind the London 2012 Olympic torch, have designed a series of furniture with cast aluminium legs that can be finished in red, white or black paint.

The range includes two and three seat sofas, an armchair and ottomans, available in a selection of fabrics including leather, as well as side tables and a stool. They are on display at Knoll's stand C01-D02, Pavilion 20 at the Milan Fairgrounds in Rho, and in the brand's showroom located at Piazza Bertarelli 2.

The sofas feature in our round up of the best products at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile.

Knoll is also presenting a collection of rotating, sliding and motorised furniture by architect Rem Koolhaas at the Prada exhibition space in Milan - see all our coverage of Milan 2013 here and our map of events taking place across the city here.

As BarberOsgerby, the designers have previously designed limited edition stripy tables for Established & Sons and a tilting chair for Vitra.

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& Jay Osgerby for Knoll appeared first on Dezeen.

Designed for Italian furniture brand Meritalia, the seats by Iacchetti are wrapped DuraForm - a washable cellulose-based material more commonly used for book covers or jeans labels.

Covers can also be ordered in fabric or leather in a selection of earthy shades.

Four simple blocky shapes form the single cushion, two armrests and angled backrest, which are supported by black metal feet at each corner.

The sofas will be shown in Milan next month, where Zaha Hadid will present twisting auditorium seats and Werner Aisslinger will unveil brightly coloured chairs.

Nendo's modular furniture with tall backrests and a swinging sofa designed for the office may also be of interest.

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for Meritalia appeared first on Dezeen.