Ever onwards: Driade’s Image Book reveals projects past and present

Image Book-a selection of the company’s sofa
(Image credit: Gordon Guillaumier. Lievore Altherr Molina. Enzo Mari’)

Last year, Italian company Driade enlisted architect David Chipperfield to curate the brand’s artistic direction. The first steps included introducing new designers to the collection and redesigning the Milanese showroom, now an all-white sculptural space.

As well as contributing product design for the brand, Chipperfield also introduced Driade’s inaugural Image Book, a photographic volume which presents the new pieces as well as furniture from the permanent collection through the art direction of John Morgan. To emphasise the continuity between past, present and future, the latest crop of Konstantin Grcic’s shelves were presented alongside archive pieces by the likes of Nanda Vigo and Marco Zanuso, while the book also includes Driade staples such as Fredrikson Stallard’s 'Basalt' collection and new pieces by design giant Enzo Mari.

Eschewing a standard catalogue style, the pieces, all with a strong sense of modernity and creative flair, were photographed by Berlin-based photographer Simon Menges against the suggestive backdrop of a stone quarry outside Verona.

‘Since its beginnings in 1968, Driade has, through its selection of designers and through the development of objects and furniture, represented a particular attitude, encouraging innovation and individuality, and enjoying a spirit of design diversity,’ says Chipperfield, who since taking the helm of the company has been quietly directing it while celebrating its roots. ‘Going forward, it is the intention of Driade to maintain its contribution to this culture and to continue to develop the generous balance between the individuality of the designer and the lose coherence and perspective so brilliantly determined by [founders] Adelaide Acerbi, Antonia Astori, and Enrico Astori.'

Driade’s Image Book

The images were curated by Chipperfield and art directed by John Morgan. Fredrikson Stallard’s ’Sereno’ coffee table in cast aluminium, which also featured in Wallpaper* Composed’s project in Chelsea earlier this year

(Image credit: Simon Menges)

Gordon Guillaumier’s ’Anapo’ series

Gordon Guillaumier’s ’Anapo’ series: the book’s photographs were shot inside a stone quarry near Verona

(Image credit: Gordon Guillaumier)

the ’Gazelle’ table in blue powder-coated steel

Pictured left: Fredrikson Stallard’s ’Basalt’ tables, which were added to the collection earlier this year. Right: the ’Gazelle’ table in blue powder-coated steel, designed by Park Associati

(Image credit: Park Associati)

A pair of amusingly-titled pieces

A pair of amusingly-titled pieces: pictured left: Francesco Bolis’ ’Miro’ mirror. Right: Philippe Starck’s ’Lou Read Armchair’

(Image credit: Press)

Series of mirrors

Pictured left: the ’No Frame’ series of mirrors by one of the company’s founders, Antonia Astori. Right: Christophe Pillet’s ’Meridiana’ chair

(Image credit: Press)

’Empasse’ chair collection

Pictured left: the ’Empasse’ chair collection by Atelier Oï. Right: ’Archipelago’ mirrors by Fredrikson Stallard

(Image credit: Fredrikson Stallard)

Ever onwards: Driade’s Image Book reveals projects past and present

Pictured left: Nanda Vigo’s fur-covered ’Blocco’ pouf, a recent re-edition from a 1970 design. Right: Enzo Mari’s outdoors sofa and chair from this year’s ’Elisa’ collection

(Image credit: Press)

A group of ’Ercole e Afrodite

A group of ’Ercole e Afrodite’ cabinets by the newly formed Driade Lab, an internal design team. The pieces combine human anatomy with geometry

(Image credit: Press)

Enzo Mari’s ’Sof Sof’ chair

Enzo Mari’s ’Sof Sof’ chair, a re-edition from a 1972 design

(Image credit: Press)

’Evelyn’ lamp, with a green anodised aluminium shade

Since taking the helm of the company, David Chipperfield has been quietly directing it while celebrating its roots. He has also contributed some furniture pieces to the collection, such as this year’s ’Evelyn’ lamp, with a green anodised aluminium shade

(Image credit: Press)

Driade’s Image Book

Konstantin Grcic’s additions to the collection this year came in the form of these zigzag-shaped structural shelving units

(Image credit: Konstantin Grcic)

’Zig Zag’, the shelves

Aptly titled ’Zig Zag’, the shelves come in a variety of compositions, colours and materials. Pictured: the wood and metal version

(Image credit: TBC)

Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.