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Molteni & C is one of the classic Italian design firms, combining a high level of craftsmanship and quality with outstanding and inspiring design. The Molteni product range is focussed primarily on all aspects of modern living, ranging from extensive modular storage systems to seating, tables and bedroom furniture.

History

Molteni & C is a company with advanced technology and a longstanding tradition. In the 1970s, it started to define its identity by following two routes. First, it implemented ongoing research in the sector of modular furniture, developing with Luca Meda's designs a number of solutions suited to all parts of the home, from wardrobe to living room and study/home office. Modular systems such as 505, 7volte7 and Pass, to name but a few, are designs in constant evolution, both in technical and construction terms, as well as in function and comfort. They have been highly successful and Molteni is considered a leader in this sector.

Molteni, design, italian design, furniture, molteni furniture

Since the 1980s, in particular, Molteni has proposed a large collection of single pieces that can with the modular furnishings create a home of simple elegance. From the types bound to the collective living memory, characteristic of the designs of Aldo Rossi, it came, in the 1990s, to produce furnishings such as those designed by Jean Nouvel, in which essence blends with advanced technological solutions, a research terrain that has always distinguished the company.

Philosophy

Hidden qualities. This is the slogan for the 100,000 books printed by Molteni&C to present a world and a mission. 700,000 wooden panels produced in a single year, 7 each minute. 1,000 kilometres of squared panel, the distance as the crow flies between Milan and London. Technology, design culture and a living material, wood. A dream, hidden qualities. As if we imagined travelling that distance in first class. An industrial reality which promotes and gives value to the heart and soul of craftsmanship.Molteni is this too. The stars of international design, from Jean Nouvel to Norman Foster, and the 300 specialised technicians that arrive on foot or by bicycle every morning at 8 o’clock at the factory in Giussano, in the heart of Brianza. 124,000 square metres of creativity and engineering. A complete production process to order, constant attention to all stages of production. The Made in Italy brand, the history and innovation of an entrepeneurial dream. Since 1934, when Angelo Molteni started building quality.

Design

All the designers that work with Molteni are highly individual but agree on the fact that furniture must be elegant and comfortable, but also sturdy and incorporate attention to detail and be produced from fine woods and carefully checked materials. This is furniture that, apart from the individual charm of each piece, offers a possibility to define - with a wealth of choices but a single good taste - the lifestyle in the Molteni home.

Quality

The company made a dual choice. On the one hand, to maintain sophisticated craftsmanship in-house, as regards material know-how, careful finishes and product customisation. On the other, the company has always developed its research on the terrain of technological research, with the ongoing experimentation of innovative solutions. Molteni furniture incorporates the expertise of a long craft tradition with technological quality, which facilitates the life of the user but is in no way ostentatious. When talking about Molteni, people also speak of hidden quality, alluding to the technical, functional and material quality present but often unseen in its furniture. Molteni quality is well known in Italy where the group is based, but also internationally, because the company exports to the leading world markets.

Innovation

Today, both individual pieces and modular systems are conceived for the simple elegant home that is also unconstrained and capable of responding to the new needs produced both by the current changes in lifestyles and computerisation with home entertainment and home offices. Molteni proposes modular systems that are highly functional and attractive but are also conceived for practical and flexible solutions, suitable for storage and offering easy integration of IT technology. Globalisation and the computer revolution have driven the company to conduct constant research into new technological and type solutions, to facilitate both domestic comfort and work activities.

Projects

Molteni is also active in major contracts such as hotels, museums, ships, shop chains, hospitals and theatres. Recent examples include furnishings for the Walt Disney cruise ships built by Fincantieri, furnishings for the Cartier chain of boutiques all over the world and for the Cartier Foundation in Paris, the interiors for the La Fenice theatre in Venice and the furnishings for public areas on the cruise ships of the Holland America Line and P&O North Sea Ferries.

Products

Modular storage systems:

505 (Luca Meda)

Graduate (Jean Nouvel)

Pass (Luca Meda)

Piroscafo (Aldo Rossi & Luca Meda)

Sequence (Patricia Urquiola)

Cabinets:

808 (Molteni Design Team)

Carteggio (Aldo Rossi)

Convivio (Ferruccio Laviani)

Seating:

Clipper (Molteni Design Team)

Doda – Easy (Ferruccio Laviani)

Francine (Molteni Design Team)

Freestyle (Ferruccio Laviani)

Hi-Bridge (Ferruccio Laviani)

Lido (Hannes Wettstein)

Reversi (Hannes Wettstein)

SKiN (Jean Nouvel)

Still (Norman Foster + Partners)

Turner (Hannes Wettstein)

Dining, coffee and side tables:

Arc (Norman Foster + Partners)

Buddy (Hannes Wettstein)

Diamond (Patricia Urquiola)

Globo (Luca Meda)

Less (Jean Nouvel)

Quake (Arik Levy)

Rialto (Molteni Design Team)

Chairs:

Alfa (Hannes Wettstein)

Glove (Patricia Urquiola)

Lean (Rodolfo Dordoni)

Summary

Most of the images link through to the relevant product page on our website. Not every image is an active link, because we did not yet put the complete Molteni collection on our website. Every model is available, so any questions, explanations or an overview of pricing and availability can be accessed through the advisors in our showroom.

09-12-2010