The Cassina Perspective: Designing the Way We Live

The way we live has changed, and with it, the role of the home. No longer defined by static layouts or purely decorative intent, interiors today are expected to support multiple rhythms of living, working, hosting and retreating. At the centre of this evolution is “The Cassina Perspective”, a philosophy that approaches the home as a complete, considered environment rather than a collection of individual pieces.

Luca Fuso, CEO of of the Design Division at Haworth Lifestyle that oversees the Cassina, Karakter, Zanotta and Cappellini brands.

“At Cassina, we are not guided by trends,” says Luca Fuso, CEO of the Design Division at Haworth Lifestyle, overseeing Cassina, Karakter, Zanotta and Cappellini. “Cassina is renowned for its emblematic pieces; they embody radical ideas and enduring aesthetics, authenticating any space. These icons are not guided by trends, which is why they remain relevant in today’s home, naturally dialoguing with different styles and ways of living.” From the iMaestri Collection to contemporary collaborations, these designs are not positioned as statements, but as anchors within a space.

This continuity between past and present sits at the core of the brand’s philosophy. “The Cassina Perspective is our guiding vision,” Fuso continues. “We bring together more than twelve decades of design, combining iconic pieces from the past and present to create curated environments that feel like real homes rather than showrooms.” Living, dining, bedroom and outdoor spaces are conceived together, supported by a complete offering that extends to lighting and accessories.

Chaise longue à réglage continu, durable by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand – Cassina iMaestri Collection. Image by Paola Pansini

As homes become more multifunctional, design is adapting accordingly. “The home today is dynamic,” Fuso notes. “It needs to respond to different moments, from working at home to gathering and hosting.” This is reflected in pieces that shape space as much as they furnish it. Freestanding bookcases such as FF.Spine by Formafantasma or Franco Albini’s Veliero introduce structure, while modular seating systems like Mon-Cloud by Patricia Urquiola allow for more fluid, social layouts.

In Dubai, where hosting plays a central role, there is a growing emphasis on larger dining formats, seen in pieces such as the TL9 table by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and the Treflo table by Ronan Bouroullec.

“Cassina has a natural relevance in a market like Dubai, where interest in contemporary design continues to grow,” Fuso adds. “The classic pieces from the iMaestri Collection are highly sought after, from the 4 Chaise Longue à réglage continu by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand to the Utrecht armchair, an evergreen in any context. Combined with more recent designs such as the Sengu Bold sofa by Patricia Urquiola, this allows for a unique and personal approach that reflects how people live today.”

Mon-Cloud sofa by Patricia Urquiola – Cassina, Photo by Francesco Dolfo

In the Middle East, this approach is interpreted through Atelio, the design furniture, art advisory and collectible design platform, and regional partner for Cassina. Its Dubai flagship on Jumeirah Street brings this vision to life. As Ruggero Ottogalli, CEO of Atelio, notes: “Cassina has so much to say beyond its icons, and the market today has the opportunity to experience the full breadth of the collection. What stands out is the ability to seamlessly integrate design masterpieces from the 1960s with more recent releases, a true expression of timelessness.”

The Cassina Perspective is not simply a philosophy, but a way of approaching the contemporary home, where design, craftsmanship and innovation come together to shape spaces that evolve with the people who inhabit them.

Cover image is Sengu Bold sofa by Patricia Urquiola – Cassina, with the Utrecht armchairs by Gerrit T. Rietveld – Cassina iMaestri Collection, photo by Francesco Dolfo