amazingly similar and not by design. however, visually complementary so to speak.

Partnerships within the contract furniture industry may be commonplace. Here are two new “design-driven” big ones thus far in 2011.

Herman Miller | Magis
Beginning September 2011, Herman Miller will become the exclusive distributor of products in the U.S. and Canada for Magis, a leading Italian furniture designer.

Addition is a key theme in the partnership. Magis means “more than” or “to a greater extent” in Latin. For all who appreciate modern design, Magis means more choices for community spaces within workplace, education, and healthcare environments with its wide array of lightweight café seating, stools, tables, and outdoor products.

“Creating great design demands a delicate balance between craft and industrial production,” notes Ben Watson, Herman Miller Executive Creative Director. “Magis, like Herman Miller, understands this intuitively.” The meaning of Magis—”more than”—also captures the company’s approach to design and manufacturing. Magis employs innovative processes that maximize performance, while minimizing volume of material, energy use, and environmental impact.

“We add to Herman Miller because we are complementare, complementary,” explains Alberto Perazza, Co-Managing Director of Magis.” Like Herman Miller, Magis believes in authored design. They have produced many iconic products, such as the Bombo Stool by Stefano Giovannoni, Jasper Morrison’s Air Chair, and Konstantin Grcic’s Chair_One. [ herman miller ] [ magis ]

Haworth | Capellini | Cassina | Castelli | Poltrona Frau
In May 2011, Haworth introduced the Haworth Collection at the 2011 International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) which includes Haworth in partnership with Castelli; in June at Neocon 2011 select brands within the Poltrona Frau Group. In all, Haworth inherits a heritage of design that goes back to 1877 with Cesare Castelli, 1912 with Poltrona Frau, 1927 with Cassina, and 1946 with Cappellini. Haworth roots begin with Gerrard Wendell (G.W.) Haworth in 1948. The new carefully curated collection of furniture and lighting represents some of the best work by leading architects, industrial designers and artists.

[ haworth collection ] [ poltrona frau group ] [ neocon 2011 ]