The Future Perfect introduces Assembler I, the debut furniture collection from Studio Athena Calderone. Comprising fourteen pieces, the collection explores form and materiality through a contemporary lens, shaped by Athena Calderone’s immersive study of French Art Deco and the Viennese Secession. Installed within The Future Perfect’s West Village townhouse, Assembler I unfolds as a dialogue between past and present.

Calderone distills the principles, geometry, and proportion of early twentieth-century design into a distinctly contemporary vernacular. Across the collection, a cohesive visual language unfolds through subtle yet deliberate gestures. Chamfered edges, inspired by a 1930s Daum glass vase, recur as a defining motif, uniting furniture, lighting, and hardware. Monumental proportions are balanced by refined detailing, allowing each work to carry a sense of presence while maintaining a disciplined restraint.

Materiality plays a central role in shaping the identity of Assembler I. High-gloss wood, lacquer, sustainable parchment, and delicate nickel accents define surfaces that are both luminous and tactile. These finishes draw from traditional techniques while embracing the needs of contemporary life, resulting in objects that honor the imprint of the hand.

Both rigorous and poetic, the collection reflects Calderone’s intuitive approach to interiors, translated into objects that balance proportion, texture, and tone. Assembler I marks the first volume in an evolving study and stands as a clear declaration of artistic intent from one of design’s most influential voices.

A special thanks to Amelie du Chalard, Amuneal MFG, Calico Wallpaper, Kamp Studios, and Puiforcat, whose contributions further enrich the dialogue between craftsmanship, material innovation, and contemporary design as a part of the Assembler I exhibition.

Assembler I is on view at The Future Perfect’s New York gallery until June 26.