507 Soft Corners

A launch pad for young designers,

the Patronage project starts with Linde Freya Tangelder

The collaboration between Cassina and Linde Freya Tangelder, founder of the Antwerp-based design studio Destroyers/Builders, is part of a broader project named Patronage whose objective is to cultivate young international talent, support culture and develop creative ideas.

An interlocking embrace

Sculptural volumes, textural contrasts and vibrant tactility: these are the distinguishing features of Soft Corners, the first line of furniture developed for Cassina by Linde Freya Tangelder. The Dutch designer draws inspiration from the world of architecture and, in particular, the role of stability typical of stone walls in which various shapes support each other to create a complete whole.

Soft blocks combine to form three types of poufs made up of elements that embrace in interlocking shapes. Each pouf has a structural wood core encased in soft padded rubber, attached in a way that allows the components to be disassembled for repair or replacement, in keeping with Cassina LAB’s philosophy.

In contrast to the soft shapes of the padded poufs, the collection is complemented by a combined coffee table with an industrial aspect made of steel and produced through an articulated and precise process that hides its joints from view. Distinguished by sleek lines, the Soft Corners coffee table is composed of three volumes mounted together, echoing the same curved lines as the poufs but with a captivating interplay of solids and voids. The open, functional shape of this table can be adapted to different interpretations of use: in addition to providing a table-top surface, magazines or objects can also be placed inside it. With a view to circularity, this table is completely recyclable at the end of its life cycle.

In an eloquent juxtaposition of warm and cold materials, the coffee table coordinates with the poufs, both in terms of functionality and style, and handily overlaps one of the three models.

Soft Corners is a versatile collection of architectural pieces for interior decor that can be combined in different ways to create dynamic arrangements in any type of setting.

A symphony of voices to promote culture and design

This project was born from the experimental work conducted by Linde Freya Tangelder during her IN Residence experience which took place in Turin, Italy. Subsequently, thanks to the cultural patronage of Cassina, consistently committed to supporting exhibitions and cultural initiatives, the designer had the opportunity to develop her body of work for her first solo exhibition ‘Rooted Flows: Solidified Reflections’ held at the Carwan Gallery in Athens in February and on the calendar this autumn at the Valerie Traan Gallery in Antwerp.

The project also includes a monograph on the designer by Barbara Brondi & Marco Rainò, curators and architects of the IN Residence project, published by Nero Editions.