Philippe Starck is quite a big name in the design world; so it is no surprise that his work will be on display this month at Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2009 (aka Milan Design Week). From restaurant and hotel design to furniture and products, Starck has actually done it all. He is likewise known for his long-term design hotel partnership with Ian Schrager and more recently with nightclub mogul Sam Nazarian for the SLS hotel brand.

out/in Collection. Designed by Philippe Starck for Driade.

And if you’ve seen any advertisements for Alessi, you’ve likely his sleek juicer dubbed the Juicy Salif, an iconic and popular “cult item” that has practically become the company’s logo. Renowned, popular and iconic; new work comes with high expectations. In a few weeks time, Philippe Starck and Eugeni Quitllet’s “out/in” series for Driade will be debuted at Salone: a sofa, armchair and high chair built from various plastics suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Thus far, we have seen only renderings of these items, which I find unconvincing.  The photographs of the finished pieces have yet to be released. Given the plethora of outdoor or outdoor/indoor furniture we have seen with the onset of the spring season, Starck’s out/in series is somewhat disappointing. On a positive note, perhaps the renderings don’t do the pieces justice and the finished pieces will in fact appear distinguished.

In any case, these pieces appear best suited for city living as opposed to life in the suburbs or countryside. The molded plastic surface is finished with metal feet and arms, seemingly more appropriate for a roof deck in the city. Fredericia’s Stingray Rocker and Jang Yoon’s Janus Chair have proven the capabilities of plastic in more convincing ways.  Pandanus Lounge Chair, designed by Jessica Konawicz, though not a new piece for 2009, is an ecofriendly and ergonomic outdoor lounge chair made from cellulose-based plastic. One of the winners of the 2008 One Good Chair Competition, this can remain an outdoor classic for 2009.