Boffi Chelsea, London

Kitchens and Bathrooms are the ugly ducklings of the design world. Not to say they can’t become the chicest of swans, but by virtue of their need to deliver within the strict parameters of function, they lack much of the glamour and wow-factor possible in so much design. However for the school of thought that sees design defined by its need to solve problems, kitchens and bathrooms are perhaps the most challenging area of design for precisely this reason – and there’s little argument that Boffi are the leaders in this field.

The Italian company has carved out a formidable niche for itself in the design world, based on a heritage of providing solutions to our changing basic needs and desires in kitchen and bathroom spaces. In the process, Boffi has been behind a number of revolutionary creations, combining problem solving with luxury design: Norbert Wangen’s K series kitchens, Zone kitchen by Creative Director Piero Lissoni, Naoto Fukasawa’s Terra bath and most recently Studio Kairos’ Anthea wall partition, to name just four.
The brand’s latest development comes in the form of a vast new showroom in London Chelsea’s design district. Designed by Piero Lissoni, the vast 600 metre-squared space houses Boffi’s entire design back catalogue, pristine and gleaming under spotlights against a dark graphite backdrop. The effect is spectacular to say the least and anyone with reservations as to how covetable a design element a bathroom or kitchen can be would be well advised to take a tour.
‘The space was originally rented by Prada for a sportswear store,’ explains Boffi’s CEO Roberto Gavazzi, ‘it was empty for about seven years, and we had high hopes of one day taking it over so were thrilled when they finally decided to give it up. It’s ideal for us because it has this loft-style presentation that suits our products very well. We were careful to leave the pipes, columns and architectural elements in place to give it a raw, industrial feel.’ Given the brand prides itself on providing architectural solutions, not simply domestic fittings, it’s a space that sells its wares beautifully.
It’s no surprise then that Boffi have featured prominently on our pages culminating in Norbert Wangen winning Product Designer of the Year in our 2005 inaugural Design Awards. It only seemed fitting they should choose to celebrate their exclusive opening in association with Wallpaper*, and naturally we were thrilled: any excuse to christen a spectacular new space with a party in honour of one of our favourite brands is fine by us.

see more http://www.boffi.com/