13 March 2025

Merging Elegance & Functionality in Modern Design

Jean-Marie Massaud’s collaboration with Poliform and Poltrona Frau highlights his ability to harmonize architectural proportions with elegant minimalism.

Jean-Marie Massaud has established himself as a celebrated force in the design world, blending innovative ideas with a deep respect for functionality. Since graduating from the École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle in Paris in 1990, he has consistently pursued a quest for synthesis, reduction, and lightness in all his creations. Massaud’s versatility is evident in the breadth of his work, which spans furniture, industrial products, and architectural designs. In 2000, he founded Studio Massaud, a pivotal moment that allowed him to expand his expertise into brand development and architecture. Collaborating with an impressive roster

Massaud’s partnership with Poliform showcases his skill in balancing architectural proportions with refined simplicity. Each piece from this collection reflects his clean lines and impeccable craftsmanship, exemplified by the “Brera Collection,” which seamlessly marries modern minimalism with luxurious touches. This ability to create functional yet elegant designs has made his work not just visually appealing but also practical for everyday living.

When working with Poltrona Frau, Massaud brings a softer touch to his creations. The “Archibald” armchair (above) stands as a prime example of his capacity to blend sculptural form with supreme comfort. Its enveloping design and sumptuous leather upholstery illustrate how functionality can harmonize with artistry. Each detail speaks to Massaud’s intent to evoke an emotional response while ensuring the utmost comfort.

Massaud’s exploration of design goes beyond aesthetics; he aims to create experiences that enhance the spaces they inhabit. His pieces invite interaction, encouraging users to engage with their surroundings in meaningful ways. By considering the interplay of lightness, space, and human interaction, he fosters an environment that nurtures both individual and collective well being.

Jean-Marie Massaud’s Brera collection (above) shapes a refined, architectural landscape for the home, centering on clean, contemporary lines and versatility. The Brera system includes not only sofas but also a bed and a stool, extending its elegance across the living and sleeping areas. Available in configurations from classic linear to graceful curves suited for larger spaces, the collection combines high comfort with relaxationfocused technology. Exquisite couture details in leather and a new selection of fabrics elevate each piece, with seams that stand out like precious accents.

When it comes to wardrobes, Massaud’s designs are celebrated for their architectural precisionand refined elegance, effortlessly merging functionality with a modern aesthetic. His approach to wardrobes, exemplified in collections like Lexington, goes beyond simple storage to create flexible, integrated systems that enhance the living space.

The Lexington wardrobe system offers versatile elegance with its pillar-based design, available in wall-mounted or ceiling configurations, including double-sided compositions for an impressive finish on both sides. Featuring shelves, drawers, and fittings from the Senzafine range, Lexington seamlessly integrates with any space. Available in a day version, its flexibility in dimensions, applications, and finishes represents a sophisticated evolution in modular design, ensuring cohesion across every room of the home.

By using sleek materials and finishes, and incorporating modular elements such as adjustable shelves, drawers, and hanging rods, Massaud’s designs prioritize customization to meet a variety of spatial needs. His wardrobes are not only about containment but about creating a visually cohesive environment where each fixture and finish contributes to a sophisticated, harmonious design.

Throughout his career, Massaud has received numerous accolades for his contributions to design, and his work is featured in prestigious collections across the globe. His design philosophy, centered on the fusion of pleasure and responsibility, resonates through each piece, inviting a sense of serenity and connection.

Discover more of Jean-Marie Massaud’s iconic designs at Studio Italia. 

studioitalia.co.nz

Archibald Large, the new version of the iconic armchair designed by Jean-Marie Massaud, is the perfect combination of substance and form. Archibald is now more welcoming than ever with an even more comfortable and enveloping design, ideal for meditation and relaxation.

The breadth and depth of the seat are enhanced and balanced by its thin feet for an agile and slender overall effect that promises boundless comfort. In the Archibald armchair the leather upholstery, pleasantly wavy thanks to a series of vertical folds, is embellished along the edges and external surfaces by contrast stitching, giving it an extra touch of refined elegance. The backrest and seat structure is made from steel with moulded polyurethane foam padding and shaped foam with polyester wadding in the areas where more comfort is required. The spring system consists of elastic belts. The base comprises four cast aluminium feet and a tubular steel frame with gunmetal grey finish.

Pictured above, the Archibald Large is clad in Denim, the latests in the Archibald collection.

(Above) The Le Club armchair is a modern reimagining of a classic design icon. While honoring the voluminous curves and comfort of traditional leather club chairs, Le Club’s streamlined silhouette and lighter profile bring a refined, 1970s-inspired casual elegance to any space. Expertly upholstered in fabric or leather, each piece is seamlessly integrated with the steel frame and flexible polyurethane seat, embodying a masterful touch of high-quality craftsmanship.