WITTMANN | BLOCKS by Neri&Hu

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»We were positively surprised when #wittmann proposed a collaboration. We know the history and significance of the Vienna Secession and, as architects, have an almost emotional affinity to this era.

The historical Hoffmann archive in Wittmann‘s collection is of great interest and importance to us.« Neri&Hu

Their roots are Chinese, their influences international, their #design global. Based in Shanghai, #lyndonneri and Rosanna Hu‘s office is more creative school than workplace. Here they learn from each other and from history in order to shape an optimistic future. In this globalised world, they want to use their #design as a means of communication and build bridges. Between East and West, local and global, modern and traditional.

The two architects, interior and furniture designers are advocates of total #design and always work on new designs with a great interest in history. A way of working and thinking that fits #wittmann perfectly. The cooperation was to consist of reinterpreting a piece of furniture by Josef Hoffmann. A special challenge for #lyndonneri and #rosannahu, who have great respect for Josef Hoffmann and the Viennese Secession, and who also decided on a piece of furniture as a starting point whose #design took them out of their #design comfort zone.

»Our designs are usually about detailed #design, delicacy, lightness. So reinterpreting the CLUB was a challenge for us, because in some ways it‘s one of Hoffmann‘s simplest pieces. But when you look closely, you see how Hoffmann celebrated the fine stitching of the chair. Because of this fine craftsmanship, we felt there was no need to elaborate on the form itself.« Neri&Hu

The CLUB 1910 fauteuil by Hoffmann was to be the starting point for a re-interpretation. Its „simplicity“ faced Neri&Hu with a difficult task, as their style is normally characterised by delicacy and lightness. Never before had the two worked with such a solid piece of furniture. But the fact that the „simple“ basic form was embellished by these extremely fine and masterfully crafted stitches changed #lyndonneri and Rosanna Hu‘s view of Hoffmann‘s #design. He had focused on the subtleties. And so they created the BLOCKS modular sofa series, whose precise lines only become a statement thanks to the outstanding craftsmanship of #wittmann Möbelwerkstätten.

»We simplified and expanded Hoffmann‘s CLUB #design, creating a new generation. Through the different elements, one can configure their very own sofa landscape. So BLOCKS is a piece that can stand on its own, but can also be completely disassembled, making it unique in its appearance. Both in residential and commercial applications.« Neri&Hu

Its modularity makes BLOCKS a new generation of furniture, adapted to today‘s requirements. Organic and geometric at once, the individual low-slung modules lend themselves to a huge variety of combinations that can be used for different sized spaces. The result is a striking reinterpretation of an iconic shape that can take on different looks thanks to a wide range of upholstery options. BLOCKS functions both as a cosy retreat for the home and as flexible seating furniture in public spaces.

»When we looked at Hoffmann‘s CLUB #design, we thought, how can we continue the lineage of this particular brand without negatively impacting the tradition and history behind it, while evolving it into something new?« Neri&Hu