From marble to bouclé: Pietro Franceschini's Olympus collection is myth made modern

Neoteny is the condition in which an organism reaches maturity without losing all of its juvenile characteristics. An exhibit at A/D/O in Brooklyn about the possibility of a 'Neotenic Design' has been the starting point for a deep research in terms of language and materiality, leading to Italian designer Pietro Franceschini's furniture collection: Olympus. It is a diverse and experimental body of work where classical and majestic elements meet young and playful ones.

Olympus transports the observer to a realm where material whimsy and sculptural art collide. This is effectively illustrated by the Atlas Ball, which combines luxurious upholstery with shiny cast brass to produce a piece that is both imposing and charming. The distinction between furniture design and personality is also blurred by the three-legged chair Bling Bling, which combines soft fabric with curving wooden legs.

Marble sculptures from the collection, such as Gamma and Cha Cha Cha, exhibit exquisite craftsmanship. Robot-sculpted and hand-finished in Italy, Cha Cha Cha features three stools made of Nero Marquina marble that have a melodic rhythm. Hewn from Moroccan Port Laurent marble, Gamma's black and gold veins pay homage to the stone's primordial beauty while also evoking the texture and spirit of ancient altars.

The Gold Arch, one of Franceschini's most well-known product designs, is available in a range of finishes across steel and brass with custom possibilities. The release stays true to the graphic presence and importance placed on highlighting materials established across Olympus. In works such as the Khelone Ottoman, which takes its name from the Greek nymph that Zeus transformed into a tortoise, myth and modernism also come together. A sculptural yet playful piece, it is softened by the plush texture of the upholstery. Translating to 'The Three Wishes', Deseo I, II and III serve as a stool design or side table, and are a feat of manufacturing capabilities.

Los Tres Deseos is inspired and meticulously resolved. While Tomyris, a three-legged chair design made of cast brass and upholstery, sits at the nexus of abstraction and regal, Medusa, a seat with delicate curves covered in bouclé, conveys motion and repose at the same time. Together, the Olympus collection as a whole is a reverent yet rebellious ensemble of shapes, reimagining ancient stories via bold and tactile design.