journal
In conversation with GROOVIDO
Material redefines the concept of organisation
GROOVIDO, a studio founded by Gianmaria Della Ratta and Giorgio Gasco, has reinterpreted the concept of modular storage unit with a language inspired by digital culture. For Orbita, they designed Tier, a module in 70Materia® that reflects on the logic of classification and organisation, introducing a new mix, Gemme, characterised by a striking magenta aggregate. The duo discusses it in this interview.
GROOVIDO. Photography: Chiara Catalini
Sketches. Photography: Chiara Catalini
70M
Please briefly present your research for Orbita.
GR
Tier is an evolution of 70Materia's modular design that uses material texture to talk about radical organisation. Created by revisiting the company's characteristic mix, the module proposes a new way of dividing space into compartments, in which every object has its place. As part of Orbita, Tier combines structure and adaptability with the aim of responding to contemporary and future needs.
70M
Where does the inspiration for this module, in which material becomes a storage unit, come from?
GR
The inspiration comes from analysing how we categorise, collect, and curate objects in the digital world. Tier translates this logic into a module with integrated shelves and drawers. The name is inspired by tier lists, a classification system borrowed from the world of video games where it refers to the categorisation of objects, characters, or concepts based on their performance, quality, or popularity.
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Research process. Photography: Chiara Catalini
70M
How do you envision it being used within domestic spaces?
GR
Tier is designed to adapt to different environments as a display element or a functional storage unit. Its modularity allows for precise organisation of space, offering a solution that meets the needs for tidiness and flexibility. We imagined three contexts: the kitchen, the living room, and the boudoir, respectively as a cocktail bar, a mobile bookcase, and a make-up trolley. The goal is to adapt to the growing demand for hybrid spaces, such as resimercial environments or open spaces, where flexibility of use becomes essential.
70M
What are the most interesting aspects of the 70Materia® material, and what novelty have you introduced?
GR
70Materia® is characterised by a strong textured presence and remarkable durability. The main novelty introduced with Tier is the addition of a magenta-coloured aggregate to the basalt granules. It's an unusual shade for cement, which emphasises its distinctive character without compromising its technical properties. Furthermore, by coating the entire structure of the module, we have enhanced the presence of the material which, in fact, becomes a frame for the objects.
Magenta is a colour rarely used in industry and difficult to integrate into the cement mix. In Tier, it creates a balance between the rough texture and a bold, contemporary aesthetic, reinforcing the experimental vision of the project and our dialogue with 70Materia.
70M
How did you work on optimising processes and materials in your project?
GR
The project maintains 70Materia's commitment to sustainability through the use of a durable material and the enhancement of a modular design, which prolongs the product's life cycle and reduces waste, encouraging conscious use of resources. Our research integrates various guidelines provided in Tomorrow's Kitchen, the 2024 white paper produced by Fragile and curated by Tracey Ingram.
the objects.
70M
How do you imagine the kitchen system of the future?
GR
The kitchen system of the future will consist of highly accessorised 'dancing' islands, where high technology, nature, art, and food meet in a single ecosystem. A fluid and interactive environment, capable of adapting to the needs of those who live in it, integrating innovative materials and smart solutions to make the kitchen not only functional but also capable of offering a complete sensory experience.
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Tier detail. Photography: Giacomo Bianco