Endless design proposals directly from the Salone del Mobile 2010

Lightness, recyclability, ductility and workability, fundamental characteristics of aluminium, are becoming increasingly valued in the world of design. Aluminium is traditionally used in the transportation, building and packing sectors, but for several years now, aluminium use has been expanding in the furnishings field thanks to prestigious international designers, such as Rashid, Sadler and Starck who have designed important furniture collections and have introduced the versatility of aluminium to the entire world.
Probably we are unaware of its presence, but in our homes we are surrounded by this metal, since it is frequently chosen by several manufacturers of furniture, home appliances, lighting products, and kitchenware, among others. This selection by manufacturers is the natural consequence of the continuous search for sustainability, since aluminium is infinitely recyclable.
A first-rate event in the field of furniture design is, as usual, the Salone del Mobile di Milano that, this year, was in its 48th edition.
From the myriad of furnishing solutions for every room in the house, we have selected some that we propose in these pages.

Not only books Albed, the Milanese designer, has revolutionized the classic concept of a library with Vista (1), a wood and aluminium rack system that allows you to equip it with different accessories. They can be affixed to the walls of homes, walk-in closets or offices. Albed has also presented impithe Vista sliding version at the Salone di Milano: comfortable drawers slide and turn on themselves changing the room appearance. Also new from Dieffebi, the company has presented the new angular version of cWave (2), a modular bookcase that can fit the dimensions of every room since this new design unfolds as a single strip of metal (5 mm aluminium, laser cut) on nearby surfaces. The same refined design, essentially the same characteristics in terms of durability and practicality, but with the latest feature of having functional spaces on each surface that are rigid and without interruption. Versatility is the key word for Kristalia: in fact, Dot (3) bookcase is easily adaptable to walkin wardrobes. The Dot modular system can be fitted against the wall, wall-hung, floor-standing or as a two-sided partition, thanks to the adjustable thrust devices. The panels can be fitted with CD racks and book-ends, mounted at the same level as the aluminium uprights.
		To the table! Can a table combine strength and lightness? Yes, if it is called Five (4), the model of Sicea completely in aluminium, with brill aluminium finishing for the legs and structure, the top in black and white lacquered aluminium, powder painted without solvents. Five has also some particular details, such as rounded edges between the legs and top and the triangular-shaped legs. It is full in volume, but light in both weight and line, as result of a design that looks towards technology and architecture. Bontempi Casa also offers an aluminium table. It is known as Corinto (5) and in its white finishing it moves away from a hi-tech effect and assumes a more classic identity granted by the metallic coating, almost provenzale. The final elegant touch is given by the glass top.
Metallic seats Indoor as well as outdoor, the new products presented by Fast in the Salone are pieces completely manufactured in extruded, painted or embossed aluminium. We highlight Anna Conda (6), a chair made up of a single extruded aluminium structure to which legs are connected by threaded fastening. Thanks to its sinuous line, which not only characterizes it, but also gives it a strong personality, it can fit both indoor as well as outdoor areas. As it is easily stacked and handled, it is ideal for contract furnishing. Its name is Estrosa and it is the Alma Design chair designed by Rimoza studio (7), with seat and back in extruded aluminium. 4 legs and sledge versions available, stackable. Multicoloured and smart, it is characterized by a particular profile that makes the light reflect differently in each position. In this way, Estrosa acquires a new identity all the time.
		Radiator evolution Three shapes offer old-fashioned power and define contemporary interior spaces. The new Format models from Ad Hoc (8) anticipate future heating trends as materials are used in a new way, which has been developed to offer improved technical and aesthetic solutions. Built in extruded aluminium, it is light and flexible and every individual element is made from a single piece of metal, with no welded joins. This feature facilitates the achievement of improved heating performance levels and increases the safety and durability of the radiator by decreasing the risk of leaks or breakages. An important detail of the Format models from Ad Hoc is their considerable resistance to high operating pressures, a quality that increases the capacity of the radiators, transforming them into true heating instruments. The flexibility of these elements is evident in the way that they may be used in different combinations: the Format models from Hoc are available in two different heights and may be installed using a variable number of elements, thereby meeting different household needs.