FAST
The Intersection of Technology and Nature
Perhaps attributable to a former knowledge in the foundry and aluminum before becoming a design firm in 1995, at Fast, the principles of durability, solidity, trust and firmness not only allude to the materials that the firm has mastered and used during this time, but also to the deep-rooted ties with its environment and the relationships cultivated both with its team and the designers with whom the Italian brand has been collaborating over time.
In conversation with Francesco Meda, current creative director of the company together with David López Quincoces, the designer reaffirms this concept: “Our relationship with Fast is based on trust. Both David and I were attracted to the idea of collaborating with a company that has in-house production, which allows a deeper understanding and a technical and functional approach.”
The commitment in Fast’s future of this design tandem came about organically, Francesco explains, about a year after Quincoces-Dragò & Partners curated the flagship Fast Milano. For Marco Levrangi, CEO of the company, the encounter with David Quincoces was so inspiring: “We met at the Valencia fair and we hit it off immediately. I like his approach, the clear ideas he has and his ability to create a whole universe in every space.” The curation of Fast Milano marked another milestone in the bold path undertaken by the Levrangi since the company started.
In 2017, Fast began its collaboration with designers such as Alberto Lievore. Nevertheless, the spark of creativity had ignited in the Levrangi family years earlier, where Marco and his father understood that their deep knowledge of foundry and materials could be the starting point for a new way of working aluminum. Based on this expertise and the versatility and solidity of the material, Fast specialized in outdoor furniture.
“Given Fast’s high standards of quality, we were focused on designing new products that reflect gratitude to the territory by using natural materials like wood, as well as more essential elements like mortar, lava stone at different aesthetic levels”, says Francesco Meda.
The location of the company, on the shores of Lake Garda, influenced the firsts models designed in-house: “We wanted to create something for ourselves and create a family brand since my father was, actually, a very creative person. We live in Vestone, a territory surrounded by greenery, and we were amazed by the idea of aiming ourselves to create pieces for outdoor living,” explains Marco.
The history of Fast relays also in the appreciation of the territory, and this is one of the lines that David and Francesco seek to highlight in this new stage: “Given Fast’s high standards of quality, we were focused on designing new products that reflect gratitude to the territory by using natural materials like wood, as well as more essential elements like mortar, lava stone at different aesthetic levels. This allows us to achieve a balance between the technological and the natural. A colored aluminum table has a particular aesthetic, while the same table with volcanic stone has another. It also gives us the opportunity to reach different audiences while maintaining the same quality.”
The new creative directors wanted to challenge the idea of furniture created for one function or another: “We use elements that allow our products to be used both outdoors and indoors.” This versatility is rooted in sustainability and in-house production with the cutting-edge machinery of Fast. “We want to create smart and timeless products for the customers, because when something is made well from the beginning, it is much more likely to last over time,” says Francesco.
Fast’s solid and flexible relationship with its new creative direction shares characteristics with the firm most used material. This way of working is essential to maintaining a meaningful connection between people, both professionally and personally. Like Fast’s designs, the path initiated with David and Francesco on the creative direction is meant to last.
