A global architecture and design practice, Heatherwick Studio and the leading Italian furniture company Magis have reunited for a new collection, In-Side. The duo had their first collaboration in 2007 with the Spun Chair. Sold under the Magis brand, the chair gained huge recognition as sculptural furniture designed for fun and function. After the great success of the Spun, their second collection is eagerly awaited. The new collaboration showcases plastic furniture made from recycled materials, utilizing a unique approach that reveals the unexpected inner beauty of plastic waste.
“After the success of our Spun chair it’s thrilling to partner again with our friends at Magis. In a world grappling with the consequences of plastic pollution, the idea behind this new collection is to use waste materials and reveal their inner beauty in an unexpected way.”
Thomas Heatherwick, founder and design director of Heatherwick Studio
The ‘In-Side’ collection employs an innovative form of recycled plastic technology that utilizes an industrial process to uncover the hidden beauty of recycling. This collection demonstrates that recycling can be visually pleasing and can produce lively and joyful forms. Magis has recently developed a new material that uses a blend of post-consumer recycled polyethylene and post-industrial recycled polyethylene in different colors of flakes.
Working together with Heatherwick, the team studied this material and discovered that it appeared ordinary on the outside when subjected to rotational molding, yet after being cut open, the material revealed a fascinating inner complexity that resembled the intricate formations found in geodes. Furniture made using this method reimagines the potential of plastic recycling as a renewable resource.
The collection comprises pieces that showcase exceptional craftsmanship, which is a hallmark of both organizations. The collection also demonstrates the potential of recycled materials in the design domain. The collection’s primary objective is to highlight the beauty of plastic waste, which is often ignored, and to start discussions about sustainability. The hope is that consumers will be more conscious of their choices and make sustainable decisions.
The ‘In-Side’ collection includes a sofa, a table, a chair, and cushions. The collection’s debut was at Salone del Mobile, held during Milan Design Week, which offered visitors a first look at these unusual pieces. The full collection is expected to be available for purchase through selected retailers later this year.
