A modern successor to the Thonet chair
The iconic Thonet chair, designed in the 1850s by Michael Thonet, set a high standard for furniture design with its use of Beech wood and an innovative steam bending process. This approach allowed for both aesthetic appeal and efficient manufacture. In later years, designers like Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer introduced tubular-steel frame chairs; however, they could not replicate Thonet’s complex curves due to technological limitations of the time.
In a contemporary context, Italian industrial designer Alessandro Stabile has developed the Areo chair, a tubular-frame piece that integrates advanced production techniques to achieve a sophisticated design. The Areo chair epitomizes modern craftsmanship by incorporating materials and methods that ensure both form and function.
The Areo chair’s design begins with a rigorous mechanical process. Its tubular frame is crafted using CNC cold bending technology, enabling continuous curves with high precision. Once formed, each structural joint is manually welded to guarantee optimal strength.
Ergonomics played a crucial role in the chair’s development, resulting from extensive testing and refinement. Additionally, the design process is environmentally conscious; production scraps are fully recycled, minimizing waste.
The Areo chair, brought to production by Italian furniture brand Kristalia, exemplifies the integration of technology, craftsmanship, and engineering in modern furniture design. Modern furniture design often explores subtle design elements that contribute to both form and function.
Alessandro Stabile’s Areo Chair for Kristalia
