Partner Shelf by Kartell designed by Alberto Meda and Paolo Rizzatto
A system composed of an aluminum structure and shelves in which "transparent plastic" offered in various colors is adeptly combined with the cut aluminum plates. Thus the most is made of the various materials' aesthetic and functional characteristics in a poetic, novel and original ensemble. Partner is available in 3 different fixed modules- in 2, 3, or 4 shelf options (not including top shelf).
Each shelf comes with 2 bookends. 6 additional bookends are available.
Alberto Meda Alberto Meda was born in Tremezzina in 1945 and received a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Politecnico of Milan in 1969. From 1973, he was the technical manager of Kartell, in charge of the development of projects of furniture and plastic laboratory equipments. Beginning in 1979, he was a freelance industrial designer for various companies, such as Alfa Romeo Auto, Alessi, Brevetti Gaggia, Legrand, Omron Japan, Olivetti, and Vitra. Over the years, he has had many opportunities for teaching, research, and exhibitions. His numerous awards include the European Design Prize in 1994 for his work with Luceplan, 1999 "Designer of the year" -Salon du Meuble de Paris, and 2006 "Design Plus" and "Light of the future" for MIX led lamp by Luceplan.
Coming to design from engineering, Alberto Meda brought with him a pragmatic mind, and an attention to details in materials and production process, in addition to formal concerns. Meda's recognizable stamp of elegant simplicity shapes designs that are at once modern in form and organic in feel.
Paolo Rizzatto Paolo Rizzatto was born in 1941 in Milan. He earned his degree in Architecture in I965 at Milan Polytechnic. In his studio, he works as a freelancer in the fields of architecture, design and interior design, and continues to develop his experience as interior lighting designer. In 1978, alongside Ricardo Sarfatti, he founded Luceplan. He has designed for Arteluce, Luceplan, Alias, Knoll, Kartell, Philips, and Guzzini. Many of his projects and designs are included in the permanent collections of numerous Foundations and Museums, including Architectural Associations in London, Milan Triennale, Wave Hill Museum Centre in New York, Museum of Modern Art in New York, and Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Contrary to the common idea, products in plastic materials are highly ecological for the reason that they can be recycled (with the exception of polyurethane, little used in Kartell products). Thus, Kartell products can be easily recycled. In order to simplify the recycling process, the various components of Kartell products can be easily separated and reduced to elements made of one single material. Moreover, the plastic parts of each product carry, clearly printed, an identification mark to determine the correct classification of the different kinds of plastic and their effective recycling.
Creativity and technology, glamour and functionality, quality and innovation: a combination of extraordinary factors together with a strategic vision of distribution has contributed to the lasting success of Kartell. By cultural and entrepreneurial choice, since its origins in 1949 the Italian manufacturer has chosen to characterize itself as the market leader in the production of designer articles which use technology and plastic materials. This choice requires a great understanding of materials and transformation technology. A leader in furniture design, Kartell addresses an international audience with a collection unique in originality, variety, size, and range.
Alberto Meda
Paolo Rizzatto
