A minimal structure of extruded aluminum embodies reduction and lightness. Cradling cloud-like pillows, it supports a solid seating system with firm cushions. Massaud’s vocabulary for this line also translates into in low coffee tables, both square and rectangular. The designer’s Yale Collection of sofas, armchairs and tables synthesizes form, function and beauty, personalizing pieces with varied colors, densities and materials. Massaud has done more than simply design a product. He has imagined a way to enhance how people live.
Massaud’s forward-thinking and elegant application of padding to a minimalist frame was celebrated this year when the Associazione per il Disegno Industriale (ADI) awarded him the Compasso d’Oro. Conceived in 1954 and hosted by the ADI since 1964, the Compasso d’Oro is the oldest and most influential award in the design world. Today, environmental sensibilities carry significant weight when considering the award winners, and this has given Massaud an opportunity to share his passion for such concerns. For example, his role as Creative Director of Environment Today, Inc. presented a platform to incorporate features like the matte black version of his Yale tables made with PaperStone®, an ecological material made from recycled paper and oil-based resin.
The Compasso d’Oro pays homage to the products of our everyday lives when it supports the advancements in technology and Italian production bringing life-altering designs like Massaud’s Yale Collection to homes across the globe.
August 2011
