Milan 2012: these stacking metal chairs were created by French architect Jean Nouvel for the restaurant of the RBC Design Centre that his studio have designed in Montpellier, due to open next month, and they're now in production with Italian brand Emu.

Flat metal bars make up the legs, backrest and arms of chairs, which come in white, red, grey and black. They stack and are weighted so they can easily be hooked over the edge of tables when cleaning the floor.

Launched at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in April, the collection shares the restaurant's name, MIA, and comprises stacking chairs, armchairs, benches, high stools and two tables.

See all our stories about Jean Nouvel here.

The Salone Internazionale del Mobile took place from 17 to 22 April. See all our stories about Milan 2012 here, plus photos on Facebook and Pinterest.

Here's some more information from Emu:

Jean Nouvel designs MIA, the new collection with a strong, happy character.

The new MIA collection, designed by Jean Nouvel, is a crystal-clear example of the spirit EMU brings to placing technological development at the top of its priority list, in an atmosphere buzzing with productive creativity. The whole concept stems from the RBC Design Centre in Montpellier, where three important elements were brought together: design, production and distribution. Frank Argentin, founder of RBC and a personal friend of Jean Nouvel, commissioned the Montpellier showroom to the French architect and designer with the aim of creating a venue that was to act as an authentic design manifesto, a showcase able to offer visitors a trip through the world of prestige furnishings. With this mission in mind, it was of the essence that the common areas be furnished with particular care; hence Frank Argentin’s decision to entrust the furnishing project for the Design Centre’s restaurant (also called MIA) to Jean Nouvel and to Emu, a company with years of sound experience in the contract sector, world leader in metalworking and trusted supplier of RBC. From the collaboration of these three outstanding names sprang the new MIA collection, with a design revolving around the concept of furnishings that make their mark and are so instantly recognisable the world over as to become true urban icons, thanks not only to the Emu brand name but to the efforts of the extraordinary work group the company is part of.

Simple, clean-cut lines are the hallmarks of these seats and tables, whose hard-wearing, practical qualities provide the perfect response to a wide range of requirements to suit all tastes. MIA is designed and certified as an outdoor product, but is also perfectly suitable for use indoors, not only in homes, but also in design or history museums, as well as the top-of-the-range hotel and street contract segment. Considering the needs of these different sectors, the new collection has been designed to guarantee maximum functionality: thanks to the lightweight frame and the shape of the seats and arms, the chairs can easily and practically be placed on top of the table, thus making tidying up and cleaning operations easier.

The collection will be composed of stackable seats featuring a distinctive, skilful combination of aluminium and metal, available with and without arms, as well as armchairs, a high stool, a bench and two tables, one round and one square, with fold-down metal and laminate tops and featuring a distinctive geometric base composed of four rectangular-shaped tubes. Made in Italy throughout, MIA is available in white, red, grey and black, and will be complemented with coordinated cushions suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.