"The objective of Nero Cucine is definitely to innovate, as an
engineer, that's where I contribute the most, not only
from a technological point of view but also from a design point of view,
where we brought in for our first collaboration Gabellini Sheppard - and, from a material point of view we want to create something that is durable, therefore
sustainable that uses high quality materials in the best possible way."
Bartolomeo Bellati
CEO and Co-founder Nero Cucine
Nero Cucine
NU [037]
Gabellini Sheppard - Viabizzuno
Gabellini Sheppard - Viabizzuno
No this is not a monolithic
work of art - with its beautiful graduated – ombre of dark to light stainless-steel exterior - it is a
sculptural smart hub - one of the two blocks of the NU [N037] kitchen by Nero Cucine – with production in Italy and headquarters in New York. The design is the result of a first time collaboration with architects Gabellini Sheppard and lighting designer Viabizzuno. Nu was launched during
the Salone del Mobile in the Pianca & Partner’s Milan showroom.
CEO, Bartolomeo Bellati and Creative Director, Stefano Venier
Co-founders - Nero Cucine
photograph courtesy Nero Cucine
NU is a
sculptural smart hub that combines Nero Cucine’s award-winning - Red Dot Award 2022 - N037 wing top technology, conceived by Stefano Venier with Gabellini
Sheppard’s design into an ‘off-the-wall’ performative stage. Defined by two monoliths,
one vertical and one horizontal. When the horizontal monolith's countertop is closed the system acts as a
sculptural piece, whilst when raised and recessed - it becomes a highly functional action station. The vertical monolith is constructed of stainless steel panels with a unique gradated
stainless steel in an ombre of dark to light effect, it is a pull-out station that includes a pantry, wine storage, full fridge, full freezer, convention oven, dishwasher and microwave niche.
"...this was something for us very entertaining and daunting, how to take
a general kitchen and how to think about kitchens that are very expansive
and have very large footprints and actually to reverse the challenge to
create something that is quite concentrated and quite focused...
The way in which it could get engaged in creating this sort of social connector an
off the wall theater in and around - out of this world kitchen concept."
Michael Gabellini
Architect - Designer - Gabellini Sheppard
"Developing a process where the kitchen should be in the center
because it becomes a sort of performative stage - so
you can look at it from different angles, it can become
a beautiful object, it's a background
everything changes the way you interact with the kitchen
just because you put it out of the wall."
Sivia Maffei
Senior Associate - Gabellini Sheppard
"When the horizontal monolith's countertop is closed the system acts
as a
sculptural piece, whilst when raised and recessed
it becomes a highly functional action station."
The horizontal monolith has a tinted artistic glass enclosure while the action station’s marble top is made of Cipollino Verde marble from Italy. NU incorporates unique materiality with the
best of Italian craftsmanship to mold an immersive sensory experience replete with the highest level of innovation and materials.
photograph courtesy Nero Cucine
"Nu, designed by Michael Gabellini, integrates the Wing Top N037 mechanism by Nero Cucine. Viabizzuno's lighting was very important for the success of this kitchen, which consists of a sheet of light above the columns and one that illuminates the artistic glass in the front and sides of the island. My passion for the world of engines, cars and motorcycles has certainly influenced
my way of doing design and it can be perceived
in the mechanics of these kitchens."
Stefano Venier
Creative Director and co-founder Nero Cucine
"The vertical monolith is constructed of stainless steel panels with a unique gradated
stainless steel in an ombre of dark to light effect, it is a
pull-out station for a pantry, wine storage, full fridge, full freezer, convention
oven,
dishwasher and microwave niche."
Bartolomeo Bellati, Daniele Solari, Silvia Maffei and Stefano Venier