--- title: "Modern always works" url: "https://www.stylepark.com/en/news/modern-always-works" language: "en" type: "article" description: "Salone 3: Forget social issues. The trend in furniture is to give modern classics a contemporary tweak, a makeover that guarantees their timelessness." published: "2016-04-28T00:00:00+02:00" modified: "2024-10-14T16:24:54+02:00" image: "https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2016/2016/modern-funktioniert-immer/l2_v366715_1046_237_237-1.jpg" --- # Modern always works Modern always works von Thomas Wagner Apr 28, 2016 ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2016/2016/2016/modern-always-works/l2_v366715_958_992_666-1.jpg) Is Modernism today’s Classical Antiquity? The motto of the day, and not just at Knoll International, is currently “Modern Always”. Photo © Thomas Wagner, Stylepark Salone 3: Von sozialen Fragen des Wohnens ist keine Rede, moderne Klassiker werden gern zeitgemäß renoviert, garantieren zugleich aber Überzeitlichkeit. ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2016/2016/2016/modern-always-works/l2_v366715_958_992_609-2.jpg) Are cool classics made of chrome and leather now morphing into colorful companions? At the Thonet booth some are even learning to fly. Photo © Thomas Wagner, Stylepark ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2016/2016/2016/modern-always-works/l2_v366715_958_992_656-3.jpg) Modernism as a mirror of the present? Rem Koolhaas and OMA pay homage to Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion in their booth design for Knoll International. Photo © Thomas Wagner, Stylepark ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2016/2016/2016/modern-always-works/l2_v366715_958_992_557-4.jpg) What once shocked people now gets celebrated for being timeless: “Avio”, the new sofa and marble table by Piero Lissoni for Knoll International, is staged accordingly. Photo © Knoll International ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2016/2016/2016/modern-always-works/l2_v366715_958_992_699-5.jpg) Color seems to be the order of the day every which way you look: “Zig Zag” – by Gerrit Rietveld at the Cassina booth. Photo © Thomas Wagner, Stylepark ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2016/2016/2016/modern-always-works/l2_v366715_958_992_669-6.jpg) Designed by Patricia Urquiola, the Cassina booth paid homage to the 1955 Rietveld Pavilion. Photo © Thomas Wagner, Stylepark ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2016/2016/2016/modern-always-works/l2_v366715_958_992_627-7.jpg) The charm of “je ne sais quoi”: Philippe Starck confirms with his “Volage EX-S” settee that the path heads for infinity. Photo © Cassina ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2016/2016/2016/modern-always-works/l2_v366715_958_992_713-8.jpg) On the l.: Patricia Urquiola’s “Gender” dons a feminine or a masculine appearance, as required. - On the r.: Carpets are definitely back in the main ranges. “Lattice” by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec on the Nanimarquina booth. Photos © Thomas Wagner, Robert Volhard, Stylepark ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2016/2016/2016/modern-always-works/l2_v366715_958_992_652-9.jpg) The rediscovery of a very special standalone dating from 1936: The “Fenice” table made from a design by Piero Bottoni on show at Zanotta. Photo © Thomas Wagner, Stylepark ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2016/2016/2016/modern-always-works/l2_v366715_958_992_592-10.jpg) The place where it first saw the light of day: Villa Muggia in Imola: Originally, the table was cast on site in concrete. Photo © Thomas Wagner, Stylepark ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2016/2016/2016/modern-always-works/l2_v366715_958_992_992-11.jpg) The pattern clearly predominates in Alessandro Mendini’s designed space. Photo © Thomas Wagner, Stylepark ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2016/2016/2016/modern-always-works/l2_v366715_958_992_642-12.jpg) New Man is evidently an admixture of Modernist figurines and an Oscar: A figure of a guardian from Fabio Novembre’s Room of Skulls in the “Stanze” exhibition. Photo © Thomas Wagner, Stylepark ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2016/2016/2016/modern-always-works/l2_v366715_958_992_702-13.jpg) Digitally controlled most definitely: Carlo Ratti presents hexagonal elements that can be height-adjusted individually – thanks to the hydraulics – each time spawning a different space configuration. Photo © Robert Volhard, Stylepark ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2016/2016/2016/modern-always-works/l2_v366715_958_992_713-14.jpg) On the l.: The new philosophy of interior living as presented in the “Stanze” show does not really point in any new direction. - On the r.: With Laudani Romanelli’s design you can at least peek behind the curtain, not that you’ll find new ways of living. Photos © Thomas Wagner, Robert Volhard, Stylepark ![](https://www.stylepark.com/assets/articles/2016/2016/2016/modern-always-works/l2_v366715_958_992_570-15.jpg) An mule’s stoicism: Our loyal companion “Ettore” remains attentive and sends his greets. Photo © Thomas Wagner, Stylepark