If you’ve had it up to here with minimalist, mid-century furniture, you’ll be happy to hear that architect Mario Bellini’s much-loved Camaleonda seating system is being brought back by B&B Italia with an eco-friendly approach.
According to a press release, “By mutual agreement, Mario Bellini and B&B Italia have decided to keep the 90 x 90 centimetre seat module, together with the backrest and the armrest, faithful to the original project, whose original cutting pattern was used for the new edition.”
First launched in the in the early 1970s, the still actively designing 85-year old Bellini explained the meaning of the system to Architectural Digest. He explained, “I crossed two words: camaleonte, or chameleon, an extraordinary animal capable of adapting to its environment, and onda, or wave.”
While this is the first time Bellini is putting his seal of approval on a reissue, reproductions of his units are available to purchase.
Original Camaleonda systems are coveted among furniture collectors who drive high bids every time one comes to auction. Owners including Beastie Boy’s Mike D (shown above) and artist Daniel Arsham.
For the second go around, B&B Italia will make used of recycled materials to construct the units. “Aesthetics, dimensions, proportions and the way it is configured remain unchanged, while the composition of the interior has been completely redesigned with no room for nostalgia. The sandwich structure of Camaleonda is made up of recycled or recyclable materials that can be easily disassembled,” reads press.
There’s no info on pricing, but you know it’s expensive because the company told someone inquiring on Instagram, “For any information regarding the price of products we kindly ask you to write to info@bebitalia.com we will answer you as soon as possible.”
Check out an 1971 ad featuring the original Camaleonda below. Image: Falchi & Salvador
