The Qi collection combines the prestigious Italian craftsmanship of SCAVOLINI and the distinctive approach of Nendo, the Japanese studio headed by Oki Sato, which interprets design as surprise, experimentation and refined details.
Designed for kitchen and bathroom environments, the proposal aptly reflects Scavolini‘s current international strategy, already apparent in other recent proposals of the brand designed by prestigious designers, such as Ora-ïto, Diesel Creative Team, Michael Young, Karim Rashid, King & Miranda Design and Giugiaro Design.
The Qi concept is trying to make the kitchen “hidden” in two objects to create space and offer complete design freedom: a container, an unique object with a strong connotation, synthesis of an expressive code that can be repeated ad infinitum and a wooden shelf of pure essentiality (Qi in Japanese, meaning at the same time container and wood).
The collection reveals a rigorous interpretation of minimalistic and extremely contemporary taste, and embodies exclusive values, creative thinking, innovative challenges, on-going research, genuine Italian quality and finely-worked details.
“The basic concept, the basic story about this kitchen is trying to make it hidden in two objects, because the kitchen is basically filled with so many objects. I want to make it hidden with wooden shelves and a white bowl that was the initial idea that I had in mind. In reality it is not that simple because there are so many different functions, there are so many details. So these small details in the end create the special moment, the special feeling within yourself. Have a lot of space, a lot of freedom and something that makes you feel very relaxed in a way. I named it Ki, meaning bowl in Japanese, but it also means wood, so one word Qi explains the white bowl and the wooden shelves. And then the idea expanded into the bathroom, focusing on the shelves, on their esthetics and functionality” said Nendo.
With this project, SCAVOLINI envisions new ways of inhabiting space, with the pivotal element — the container — resting on linear-shaped shelves. What emerges is an actual storage system that dominates compositions designed for both kitchensand bathrooms, with Scavolini Bathrooms.
Qi comes with an exclusive range of decorative melamine finishesspecifically created for SCAVOLINI, including two wood-effect nuances that blend artisan know-how and advanced technologies to perfection.
The kitchen
In the Qi kitchen, which includes linear, island and peninsula compositions, the containers rest on shelves and function as wall units, or re-appear in the sink and hob units — novel, important elements that add a personal touch.
An absolute total look: the doors, recessed grip profiles, upstands, wall claddings, plinths and worktops come with a single finish.
The base units and baskets can be opened using a door with shaped handle side and a top with 45° slanted profile, developed especially for the model. The speciallydesigned hood completes the situation envisaged by Nendo.
For this environment, the container replaces traditional wall units and also defines the washbasin, offered in the sit-on, inset and free-standing versions.
The lights – in the suspension or wall version – are an additional furnishing element and were specifically designed for this collection, similarly to the free-standing towel rails which can also house one of the containers.