BLOCKS By Wittmann
Blocks is a sectional and modular sofa, covered in velvet.
Design duo Neri&Hu like to play with opposites and set great store by contemporary products that link with tradition. Their Blocks upholstered furniture series for Wittmann picks up on this design approach: organic and geometric at once, the individual low-slung modules lend themselves to a huge variety of combinations. In a minimalist line that demands precision handcraftsmanship, the armrest and backrest circumscribe the generous seating area in a striking arc. The inspiration for this shape was the geometry employed by Josef Hoffmann in his generously-proportioned CLUB 1910 armchair. With respect for tradition and an intuitive understanding of the contemporary needs, Neri&Hu singled out some of the specific hallmarks of Hoffmann’s design before translating them into the modern era in line with contemporary demands. The outcome is a furniture series that has its own strong identity – it is a complete reinterpretation of an iconic form.
An inviting three-seater sofa and three different modular elements spark the imagination when it comes to creating flexible compositions. Corner, central and quarter elements can be freely positioned to create islands, snake through a room or act on their own terms as stand-alone pieces. The options are virtually limitless: from perfect circles to seats that face in different directions, all is possible. A table element, available with or without drawer, can either be added to an ensemble or positioned alone to make a statement in its own right. Made of wood, the body of the table can be adorned with a marble tabletop. Generously dimensioned, a square footrest – also suitable as a seating element – completes the series. All in all, the pared-down shape of Blocks makes for an exciting interplay of covering materials: elegant, almost severe in leather, or – depending on the choice of fabric – striking, youthful and laid back.
