All the magic of igusa

Look into Nature

Harmonizing Landscape: the third chapter in the furnishings collection is a journey in tune with Nature, where igusa plays the leading role.

No conversation about Japan is complete without reference to igusa, a variety of rush cultivated in paddy fields, woven and then dried. In fact, this traditional material has countless applications, from the classic tatami mats for homes to the world of design where it becomes an expression of a refined and ancestral creativity that has existed for more than a thousand years.

Between craftsmanship and tradition, igusa is intertwined with the history of Japan where Nature has forever played a primary role, defining a minimal but highly evocative aesthetic.

ADAL, a Japanese company established in the field of furniture design, proposes a contemporary continuation of this narrative of symbiosis between man and his natural habitat, with its Look into Nature collection inspired by a respect and awareness of Nature.

Crafted entirely from igusa rushes, Look into Nature is an expression of the Japanese lifestyle in which individuals, objects and places coexist in harmony. It reinforces that relationship between people and the environment, drawing on it for inspiration in the design of formal elements, chromatic palettes and materials, all combined to form one harmonious whole.

Harmonizing Landscape - the theme of the collection’s third chapter - inspires a range of characterful furnishings capable of recreating interior settings in perfect harmony with Nature.

It is the company’s belief, in fact, that multiple benefits can be reaped from letting our lives unfurl in a more natural context, also thanks to the objects that surround us. For this reason the Look into Nature manifesto is based on three fundamental principles:

• people, objects and places become one single environment
• living together means accepting one another
• man is a part of Nature, not the other way round

The Look into Nature collection has thus been extended, now numbering 15 pieces which confirm the collection’s modular and contemporary nature. The repertoire – including lounge chairs, chaises longues, room dividers, shelving, sofas, side tables and multifunctional modular panels – is made completely from igusa, alternating with only steel and wood, in order to enhance all its natural beauty and versatility.

The common thread that distinguishes the line is precisely in the way the igusa rush is worked, defining a three-dimensional texture in depth, but with a flat, even surface; a glossy mesh that enhances the colour, blending with tones of walnut and oak in a single chromatic weave.

It is a contemporary collection steeped in history, minimal but iconic, functional but comfortable. A cultural crossover where East meets West lies at the heart of the collection, some of whose pieces bear the mark of German designer Michael Geldmacher who explains:

“The pieces I designed for "Look into nature" are firstly inspired by the unique sensual and esthetic properties of Igusa. The scent, the touch and the look are full of sensual qualities that only few materials can offer. It seems almost like a living material. It has its own characteristics and would usually force you to adapt to its particular properties.  Nature teaches you humbleness and respect and working with an all nature's material transfers these qualities into products. Igusa invites you to take a deeper look at your environment to understand better the beautiful offerings that natures provides. I hope my pieces for LIN communicate this spirit and invite everybody to experience the sensual qualities of Igusa.”

This year ADAL and the Look into Nature collection will be inviting visitors to make a captivating sensorial journey in the heart of the Brera Design District, to discover all the beauty of igusa and enjoy a harmonious experience with Nature.

ADAL
ADAL is an acronym of Adviser for Amenity Life  - a name that sums up the company philosophy of recreating an environment that guarantees a high quality of life through furnishings, and Look into Nature is the brand that best expresses these values. Founded in 1953, ADAL is now one of the largest companies in the Japanese contract sector, and it is expanding into China and Europe thanks to a product catalogue that combines traditional motives with avant-garde solutions in a continuous search for tailor-made designs. And thanks to the integration of digital technologies, their production is state-of-the-art.

MICHAEL GELDMACHER

Following his studies in Philosophy, in 2000 Michael founded the Neuland Industriedesign studio in Munich, a cornerstone in the furniture design sector and voted as one of the 50 best studios in Germany.
Today Michael is continuing his career independently, opening his area of activity to include sectors such as the kitchen and heating industries, as well as taking part in charity projects, like the one sustaining local craftsmanship in developing countries, and housing projects for refugees. The clients he has worked for in the past ten years include MDF Italia, Bulthaup, Kristalia, Magis, Interlübke, Swarovski, Nils Holger Moormann, B-line, La Cividina, Billiani, Lechner AG, Freifrau, MCZ, HBF, and Stylex.

His work has earned him numerous awards, such as the ElleDecor design Award, the Wallpaper Design Award, the Chicago Good Design Award, the Interior Innovation Design Award "Best of the Best", the German Design Award, the IF Design Award, Nominee for the Compasso D'Oro, and many others.