Five playful and unexpected pieces from Italy’s “design laboratory”
Published
XTRA celebrates the distinctive and unexpected work of Magis in their Singapore showroom.
In the midst of Singapore’s thriving shopping district, the XTRA showroom stands as a gateway to the best of local and international design. Their curated product collections feature leading and emerging brands from around the globe, servicing Asia Pacific’s residential and professional clientele with the likes of Herman Miller, Moroso, Tom Dixon, Muuto, Louis Poulsen and Carl Hansen.
Italian furniture house Magis is also part of the XTRA suite, with the distributor bringing their experiential design ethos to Singapore’s architectural scene. Founded in 1976 in Northern Italy, Magis has grown to become a “design laboratory”, collaborating with young and emerging talents to produce iconic and innovative pieces for home, outdoor, office and contract furniture. If you step into the XTRA space, you’ll be greeted by a mix of iconic and new Magis designs that interpret typical typologies in playful new ways.
Twain by Konstantin Grcic
Designed by master craftsman and creative Konstantin Grcic, the Twain armchair is a study in sustainability. Drawing on the familiar silhouette of the classic Safari Chair, Twain brings together a mix of natural materials, with a solid beech frame, leather armrests and a textile seat and backing that tilts with the movement of the sitter. A new iteration with Dutch designer Hella Jongerius also features a draped cover in two unique patterns designed by her specifically for this project.
Velvet Puppy XS
Puppy is a dog-shaped sculpture that recalls youthful drawings and doodles. Created in 2004 by Finnish designer Eero Aarnio in S, M, L, XL, and – as of 2019 – XS sizes, the Magis Puppy is the epitome of a collector’s item, enriching every surface or space it sits upon or within. Previously available in white, black, turquoise, mustard, and coral, the Velvet Puppy XS can now be shopped in an exclusive velvet range, with three in shaded velvet and three in iridescent velvet, an effect made possible thanks to the use of fibres in two different colours.
Brut by Konstantin Grcic
The Brut product range is an ode to cast iron and the physicality and rawness of heavy metal. The collection includes a rectangular table, a height-adjustable trestle table, a round table, a small bistro table, two kinds of benches, as well as an armchair and a two or three-seater sofa. Each piece references the industrial form of cast iron, but the addition of upholstery and the clever use of form interjects this rawness with the sweetness of sparkling wine, matching solidity with refinement and sophistication.
Costume by Stefan Diez
“What if we completely rethought the sofa?” This is what Magis asked designer Stefan Diez before starting to develop the Costume sofa. The result is a sofa system that can be completely dismantled; with a body made from recycled and recyclable polyethylene from furniture and car industry waste, an insert made of pocket spring cores, a thin top of polyurethane foam, and a fabric cover that can be fastened on using tension belts and easily removed at any time. Its infinite modularity and flexibility guarantees its longevity, for a piece that is in continuous evolution.
360° by Konstantin Grcic
The 360° collection consists of a chair, a stool, a table and two containers on wheels. Reflecting new ways of working, these unconventional and unexpected designs are made for movement, inverting typical shapes and forms to create objects that feel entirely new. 360° is not intended for long stints of work in a static position, but it encourages a form of dynamic usage that is ad hoc and improvised. Mobile silhouettes mean every piece can be moved and adjusted for different environments and users, creating a collection that is a must for the office of the future.
Magis is available to purchase in Singapore through XTRA, one of the country’s premium destinations to uncover the best of European design for both residential and commercial applications.
XTRA Singapore: 6 Raffles Boulevard #02-48 Marina Square, Singapore 039594
Related Articles
Articles
Creating synergies of form, hue and space
When considered from the perspective of the human experience, a chair is not merely an object. It is a human vantage point within a space, it is the focal point for energies and activities, and it is a visual anchor that guides activities and emotions.
Articles
Injecting identity into adaptable workplaces: the brand harnessing the visual treasure trove of cross-sector design culture
The magnetic pull of certain spaces comes down to how seamlessly they work and, more importantly, how they feel. Recognising this, Kettal Workplace draws on the uplifting codes of other sectors to deliver contemporary workplace design.
Articles
What Nikari reveals about Finnish design and its love of wood
KFive Furniture and Finnish design brand, Nikari, invite us into a world of Finnish folklore and exquisite woodworking traditions. As we step through this moody, magical forest of culture and contemporary design, we discover what makes Finnish design distinct from its Scandinavian counterparts.
Articles
The brand spotlighting furnishings crafted with purpose and the skilled design minds behind them
A wander around a BACHLI showroom reveals a tapestry of captivating furniture designs, curated precisely and craft-led. Thanks to its longstanding partnerships with iconic designers, BACHLI has become a go-to for discovering the most exciting established and emerging Australian and international brands. Initially based in Melbourne, BACHLI have recently expanded into Sydney with their Surry Hills showroom, increasing their presence and opening their invitation to the design-savvy and curious nationwide.