The Seventies: Franco Sargiani and Eija Helander designed “Programma 8” for Alessi. This systematic and comprehensive project of small modular and stackable household items was based on the very same methodological premise of the “international-style” architecture of the period: the theory of open-system meta-design ideal for the free composition of unlimited living and formal models. Defined by Alessandro Mendini as “the most evolved system of household objects ever created on an international level” (Paesaggio casalingo, 1979), this design concept radically overhauled the implements used for table and kitchen service, oriented towards maximum practicality and flexible use. At the time it was presented, it created an enormous stir in the small world of the Arts de la table, and it has now been taken up again and completed by adding the function of preserving to the original ones of cooking and serving.
Again, the stainless-steel tray is the first and most basic unit, and ceramic containers, oil and vinegar cruets, salt and pepper castors, serving utensils and a wooden chopping board are developed around it. Thirty years later, and in the wake of all the work we have conducted in the field of expressive research and of the powerful visual identity of objects, I feel it is interesting to bring back to the design scene this marvelous utopia that normalizes and neutralizes the archetypical forms of household items, as a way of seeking a different kind of balance between Beauty and Function.
Sargiani Franco
An architect, he was born in Modena in 1940 and graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at Milan Polytechnic. After an early experience at Studio Morassutti and numerous training periods abroad, in England, Sweden, Finland and Denmark in particular, where he came into contact with some of the most distinguished design and production centres in those countries, he began his autonomous professional activity by opening a Studio in Milan. His interventions range from civil architecture to industrial and interior architecture, from industrial design to corporate image organisation, the latter often in collaboration with Eija Helander. He has taught industrial and visual design at the Scuola Politecnica e di Design, run by Nino Di Salvatore. He has collaborated with numerous other companies, including Alessi, Fantini, Filasp, Fidenza Vetraria, Inda, Emicar, Sipea… His designs have been published in books and specialised magazines, have been selected for the Golden Compass Award and have been presented in numerous museums, including the Beaubourg in Paris, the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tel Aviv Art Museum, the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, the Museum of Applied Art in Helsinki, the Kunst Museum in Dűsseldorf, the Milan Triennial, etc. His creations can be found in the permanent collections of the Milan Triennial, the Museo de Arte de Sao Paolo in Brazil, the Kunstgewerbemuseum SMPK in Berlin, the Kunstmuseum in Dűsseldorf and in the Deutsches Deushes Klingenmuseum in Solingen in Germany.
Helander Eija
Designer, born in Lathi (Finland) in 1944.
After her studies, Eija embarked on a long collaboration with Marimekko, first managing its visual merchandising and later entirely coordinating its corporate image throughout Scandinavia.
She has participated in developing the settings for advertising shoots and short films, and has collaborated in the capacity of consultant with many interior décor magazines.
In 1969 she moved to Italy to work in the field of Industrial Design, creating projects for companies such as Fivep, Inda and Alessi.
In particular, with Alessi she worked with architect Franco Sargiani on the company's coordinated image and packaging.
She currently runs her own business, covering a comprehensive range of services, from interior design to advertising graphics, setting up stands and creating corporate logos.
Graphic concept, templating and develop
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