Milan 2013: French designer Jean-Marie Massaud has created chunky grey seating resembling the jagged forms of an iceberg for Swedish furniture brand Offecct.

Massaud's Airberg collection for Offecct comprises a long sofa and a chunky chair, both with an asymmetrical backrest.

"Airberg consists of a structural case that gives the impression of being filled with a vacuum, but is in reality filled with a flexible padding material," explained Offecct.

The collection, currently still in prototype form, is one of the first results from the new Offecct Lab research and development initiative.

The design was presented at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan alongside UNStudio's curvy red seating for Offecct – see all news and products from Milan 2013.

Massaud recently collaborated with auto maker Toyota to create an "anti-crisis" concept car with plastic bodywork and a bamboo bonnet – see all design by Jean-Marie Massaud.

Other Offecct furniture we've published recently includes a chair by Japanese studio Nendo that flicks out like a flowing cape and a sofa with a winged backrest by Spanish designer Carlos Tíscar – see all design by Offecct.

Here's some more information from Offecct:

Airberg by Jean-Marie Massaud is an innovative piece of furniture that breaks with conventions.

Airberg is one of the first results to come out of the work at Offecct Lab, a strategic initiative designed to concentrate Offecct's efforts in the development of new solutions and new products. Airberg is not ready for production yet, but should be seen as a result of an ongoing R&D process where Offecct and Jean-Marie Massaud dared to develop a piece of seating furniture for the meeting places of the future.

The inspiration behind the form of Airberg is a combination of a comfortable, inviting piece of seating furniture and an iceberg filled with vacuum. The furniture's abstract form is light in its expression and Airberg is contemporary both in its design and in the technique used.

"Offecct is prominent in offering the market a strong and varied product selection. This means that with Airberg I could take a step further and break with conventions and question existing norms of what a piece of seating furniture usually looks like," says Jean-Marie Massaud.

Airberg consists of a structural case which gives the impression of being filled with a vacuum, but is in reality filled with a flexible padding material. The unique craftsmanship used in the production of Airberg makes it possible to create a deconstructed piece of furniture that is more defined in its asymmetry. Jean-Marie Massaud has created a piece of furniture that is comfortable, sustainable and competent, making it highly contemporary.

"Offecct has always worked continuously with product development and lately we have intensified our efforts to taking yet another step in creating innovative and challenging products for the international market," says Kurt Tingdal, CEO, Offecct.

"With Airberg, Offecct, together with Jean-Marie Massaud, take a great leap in that direction resulting in a unique piece of furniture that has to be experienced," Kurt Tingdal concludes.