b-ing Design
Paola Lenti at Minim
In conversation with Francesco Rota
Minim presents an exhibition of Paola Lenti indoor and outdoor furniture at its showroom on Via Augusta. The occasion marks the 25th anniversary of the Italian brand’s collaboration with designer Francesco Rota, the industrial designer closely associated with the brand since 1998. Paola Lenti’s pieces are instantly recognisable, upholstered in bright colours with characteristic silhouettes that are fluid and ergonomic. The brand was originally focused on textiles until Rota’s involvement when the first furniture elements were launched, Atollo (sofa) and Linea (chaise longue).
The beginnings of Paula Lenti were centred around textiles and the design of rugs. Founded in Meda, a town close to Como and Milan in the Italian region of Lombardy with an illustrious tradition of furniture manufacture. The first designs were inspired by felt, the compact fabric derived from wool used to create her rugs. After having perfected her research with the support of the Department of Chemistry of the University of Turin, in 2002 Paola Lenti launched Rope, an exclusive synthetic yarn, 100% recyclable, water-repellent and resistant to mould and bacteria. Over the following years, the company developed increasingly effective materials. And ever since Paola Lenti has blazed a trail in the research and development of high-performance textiles.
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Harbour 4 outdoor sofa
Francesco Rota studied Product Design at the Art Center College of Design, Switzerland before returning to Milan to launch his own studio, rather than working for other design studios. From the beginning his focus has been on the domestic sector, he is a self-taught interior designer. Which helps explain the relationship with Paula Lenti, till this day a family firm that remains independent and exudes an attention to detail that can be described as a coming together of craftsmanship and manufacturing. From the start of their collaboration their first two pieces including Linea the adjustable chaise longue, made an instant impression on the design community and went on to win awards.
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Hiro ground hugging chair
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Nesso 3 outdoor table
Many of Rota’s designs for Paola Lenti have a low centre of gravity, chaise longues and ground hugging seating in both chairs and modular sofas. Colour, pattern and texture are combined in ways that are instantly recognisable in both furniture and accessories representing the DNA and origins of the brand. Nevertheless, over his career Rota’s other collaborations represent a who’s who of Italian design, together with other European and global brands. His projects range from lighting to architectural design, events and accessories. He is currently the creative director of Lapalma. When designing for a number of different companies is there a danger of diluting the design language. “When I was studying design I was taught not to be an artist but rather a consultant,” explains Rota.
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Float, upholstered chair for outdoors
Over recent decades there has been a blurring between inside and outside in terms of the quality and design of furniture and other elements. Outdoor design is no longer the poor relative of indoor design. And in a post-covid world we are much more aware of the importance of outdoor space. For Francesco these developments have impacted the world of design beyond product design, “furniture has influenced the architectural world, because today you find many buildings that have rooftop terraces both residential and business, with gardens at the base. The idea of bringing the comfort of the indoors to the outdoor is more established.” However, he still believes in a clear separation of both when it comes to furniture design. “It’s an error to do furniture that can go inside and outside. The market doesn’t understand exactly what you do, and because the pieces that go outside are definitely more expensive, because the materials have to perform a lot more.”
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Shito 4 armchair
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Portrait of Paloa Lenti and Francesco together at the company design studio.
Paola Lenti continues to set the standard for indoor and outdoor textiles with some of the most challenging environments, the world of yacht fitouts, the upholstery of car interiors and terrace furniture. There is an unmistakable Mediterranean aesthetic about the work coupled with cutting-edge technology that has transformed terraces and gardens around the world. With the right care these pieces are guaranteed to withstand the elements over a lifetime of use and enjoyment.
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Linea, special editionchiase longue
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Portrait of Francesco Rota
- Minim
- Via Augusta, 185, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi,
- 08021 Barcelona
- T: 932 72 24 25
- www.minim.es
- www.paolalenti.it