Achille Salvagni to Debut Apollo Show in London

Ahead of his latest show Apollo’s March debut, the architect and designer Achille Salvagni has transformed his Mayfair Atelier into a retro-futuristic space capsule inspired by set designs from iconic science fiction movies. Drawing on his fascination of space tourism and interest in the aesthetics of 2001: A Space Odyssey by Stanley Kubrick, Salvagni has created his own spacecraft – a composition that features three new pieces of his work, along with a selection of items from his classic collection.

In the first room an all-white floor, ceiling and paneled walls act as the installation’s backdrop, with portholes looking out into space. This stark white background complements the designer’s earthy and metallic signature pieces, which are crafted from natural materials such as onyx, 24K gold-plated bronze and European walnut, incorporating organic texture and soft curves. This juxtaposition between the objects and their surroundings explores the harmony between tradition and innovation.

A classic Spider chandelier in white patinated cast bronze and backlit onyx act as the focal point for this room. And this is joined by Emerald and Menhir side tables and softer Papillia armchairs, which are a new version of the successful dining chair introduced in November 2017 by the designer. The new Bubbles wall sconces are reminiscent of the original design conceived for Jeff Koons, and the two cabinets, Silk and Roma then further enhance the space with their natural materials and artisan detail.

The second room is distinguished by its wood paneled walls and Simposio chandelier that mimics an orbiting moon, along with the new Pietra coffee table in Alpacca and Lacewood, which is the key piece of this module. The marbled Cosmedin side table and Atlante and Calipso candleholders in onyx and bronze complete the inspired space.

Commenting on his new showcase, Salvagni says: “I admire the ground-breaking production design of 2001: A Space Odyssey and the visionary atmospheres of 1960s science-fiction movies in general. As commercial space tourism takes shape, I created my own interpretation of a space capsule. I wanted to imagine a futuristic yet opulent interior with highly crafted pieces, design a personal response to the imminent exploration of this uncharted territory, another marvel soon to be revealed.”