Fabrica, Benetton Group's communication research centre, won a competition launched by the Milan Expo to design a recreation area aimed at enriching the visitor's experience in this world exhibition. Under the motto You make the Park, the project is developed around an innovative collection of outdoor furnishings made of cork, wood and Galestro terracotta. Corticeira Amorim has been a partner in this project since its inception and has played an active role in providing specialist technical advice and supplying the cork necessary for manufacturing the entire furniture collection.
In line with the Milan Expo's theme "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life", this range of sustainable outdoor furnishings evokes the concept of "whatever comes from earth returns to earth", which supports the use of 100 % recyclable natural materials, with cork standing as the epitome of these properties.
As stated by Sam Baron, an internationally famous designer and head of design of Fabrica: "For Expo Milano 2015 Fabrica and its international team of designers have conceived a collection of furniture allowing people to gather in a park which is part of the exhibition venue. Since all of us are coming from several countries and habits, we thought to put together different materials and references." And he added: "While designing the outdoor pieces, cork came as the perfect material for this project and of course Amorim the perfect company to collaborate with, being it a strong player in the field. We are delighted to show how recyclable materials, savoir-faire and ideas, while combining the respect to nature, can also generate a unique design".
You make the Park is an outdoor furniture collection of 60 pieces - benches, stools, daybeds and tables - that will invade Piazza dei Tigli (located next to the Open Theatre) until the end of October 2015. Clean and simple design pieces will be scattered all around the park offering visitors a comfortable and unique sensory experience as they enjoy the furniture for relaxing, chatting or socializing in the open air.
The innovative nature of the collection has to do with the fact that the pieces are modular. They can be used in many different ways and be easily moved to encourage interaction as visitors are constantly challenged to create their own personal area in the exhibition site. It is, thus, a space that changes continuously and whose shapes and colours will evolve according to the season.
By accessing the dedicated website www.youmakethepark.com, the public can take part in the discussion in all the world's languages by sending comments, suggestions and photographs. The most interesting contributions will become an integral part of the furnishings.
In addition to Corticeira Amorim, three other leading companies in their fields have provided technical sponsorship to this project: Deroma (Galestro terracotta), Prosign (wood) and Alquimia White, Red & Green (digital media).
