Max on Top presents: FENIX and Arpa

Arpa Industriale and FENIX materials’ distinctive technological features were once again on show at the Lake Como Design Festival.

Part of the When Nature Blooms installation, along with Formica, Homapal, Getacore, Westag Türen and X-KIN, the project is on exhibit at Villa Casa Bianca as part of another bigger project titled Returning to Villa Casa Bianca.

Forming part of the Lake Como Design Festival, which aims to establish an original dialogue between history, architecture, design and art, the exhibition, the installation highlights the features and creative solutions offered by the various materials to clients, architects and designers.

Created by the florist and flower stylist Letizia dei Fiori, the site-specific installation proposes a reflection on the relationship between nature and human beings.

“In Returning to Villa Casa Bianca project, visitors identify with the role of the owners who return, after many years, to the charming villa on Lake Como that has been closed for countless seasons,” explains the companies. 

“The signs of ageing are deliberately evident, the furnishings are partially covered by sheets, while some objects have remained motionless as if they had been used recently and reinterpreted by giving them new life.

“The result is a time travel between contemplation and memories, between architecture and historical pieces combined with innovative elements and materials. Antique furniture, fabrics and carpets, flamboyant wallpapers from different countries dialogue with contemporary design furnishings. A space-time short circuit that reveals, room after room, different imaginaries and suggestions.”

“The theme of nature is closely linked to that of sustainability, an essential topic to the company which has long been promoting best practices, production innovations and constant research into materials aimed at reducing its environmental impact. Among these achievements, it is important to underline FENIX’s carbon neutrality since 2021,” the companies add.

For the installation, Dutch studio Van Beek & Dings created different room settings in the villa using FENIX and Arpa materials.

The designers opted for FENIX matte and soft-touch surfaces for setting and furnishing elements,  including free-standing bookcases and sunscreen panels, showing the material’s extreme versatility and some of the most iconic colours of the brand’s palette.

They also made use of one of Arpa’s newest materials – Tuet – a material with a classic ribbed surface similar to wooden boiserie. This was used as dividers in the bedroom and for some furnishing elements.

When Nature Blooms will be open until December 2023

FENIX and Arpa products are available from Max On Top in South Africa.

Max on Top® develops and supplies a range of decorative surface products offering architects and designers the ability to specify décors and designs suitable for a wide range of applications.