Happenings - Zanotta SpA

LIFESTYLEHappeningsno.2/09 p.6SUPERNATURALRoss Lovegrove’s alpine Capsule is an organic, ecocompatiblerefuge designed to savour nature at high altitudesHumanising abstracttechnologicalforms andcreating beautiful,fascinating and poeticenvironmental design forthe future is a stylistic featuremuch loved by RossLovegrove, the London architectand designer. Hisbook “Supernatu-ral” traceshis inspiring principleswhen he designs items, homesand equipment chargedwith powerful sculpturaland emotional aesthetics.His mission is to exploreinnovative solutions endowedwith quality energyand environmental featuresfor transports, living and lighting.Famous sinuous“eco” creations designed byLovegrove number the seatBrasilia for Zanotta, the “solarplants” for Artemide, theSony walk man, BritishAirways’ aircraft seats andOlympus cameras.Lovegrove can turn evenmountains into a symbiosisThe refuge with its “solarplants” for lighting and heating.of organic minimalism andhigh-tech research, as inthis futuristic but concreteproject for a craft, that is virtuallya spacecraft. In fact,he says: «My Cap- sule definesa new sustainable architecturalcondition that isharmonious with nature. Itexpands the potential ofmodern life with its comforts,technological connectionsand visions… the projectis the prototype for anew “off-grid” lifestyle… anew ambition for the 21stcentury that can be adjustedto suit various scenarios.It explores the conceptof dematerialisation, invisibility/visibilityand survivalsystems, which have beenimported from aerospacetechnology and adapted tosuit earthly comfort.» It feelslike living in the world of“Star Trek”, humanised bythe artful use of ergonomicsand materials. The designer-inventor’sidea is toposition a bed under thestars, a round, basic microroomwith walls and ceiling