An object of undisputed functionality, the folding chair can boast a thousand years of history. Originally used as a field chair, with the expansion of the film industry, it acquired definitive star-status as a director’s chair, thanks to the ease with which it could be moved from one set to another.
Antonio Citterio.
These legendary qualities – comfortable, lightweight and easy to carry – are what inspired Antonio Citterio and Flexform to give it a new interpretation in the Luchino chair.
Made of solid hand-turned and finished wood, with the seat and backrest in cowhide, the Luchino chair possesses a sophisticated system of joints that allow it to be quickly folded and moved.
Simple only in appearance, to the discerning eye the Luchino chair reveals exquisite wood craftsmanship and the meticulous care invested in designing the small metal parts that govern movement of the folding mechanism.
A harmonious marriage of elegance and practicality, the Luchino chair is an easy match with any of the tables in the Flexform collection.
“Lightweight and practical, the folding chair has long been the subject of research and innovation; for example, I’m fascinated by the manufacturing simplicity found in some of the early post-war folding chairs. With Flexform, we decided to honor this history with a contemporary product where the turned wood, metal alloy joints and premium cowhide leather are assembled, recapturing a combination of features that calls to mind this tradition”, says Antonio Citterio.
Design & Craftsmanship: The integrity of the materials – wood and cowhide – attention to detail, and the thrill of creation
To create an object like the Luchino chair requires excellent raw materials, the appropriate tools and, above all, talent, intelligence and passion.
Behind every calculated gesture lies the appropriate tool and, at every stage of the work process, there is a person, with their hands, their eyes and an inexhaustible commitment to a job well done.
With the Luchino chair, Antonio Citterio and Flexform intend to fully acknowledge the crucial role of artisanal Italian craftsmanship and to strengthen ties with the contemporary design system.
Various highly prized materials, like solid wood, metal and cowhide, are combined in the Luchino folding chair under the bold design signature of architect, Antonio Citterio.
The solid wood is turned and hand-finished and, once the semi-finished materials are ready, the next step is gluing, carried out exclusively with water-based, and therefore, non-toxic glues.
Upon completion of this stage, the two sides of the chair have been assembled and are ready for the next stage of crafting. At this point, the metal brackets are inserted. Their role is central to the folding mechanism because they regulate rotation with respect to the crosspieces and determine the height of the seat.
The next phase calls for the insertion of the die-cast aluminum joints that connect the sled bases with the center crosspieces.
Assembly of the structure concludes with the attachment of the two cast pieces of the cross braces at the point of intersection by means of custom-designed turned fasteners.
At this point, the wood structure is ready to receive the cowhide backrest and seat. The parts in cowhide are first cut, based on a custom template, then sewn, and the edges finished.
The backrest is then simply slipped onto the uprights while the seat is attached at the appropriate sites to ensure just the right grip, with respect to the contours of the wood structure.
The final step is meticulous testing to ensure proper functioning of the folding mechanism as well as an additional inspection of every part of the chair; the finished product is then sent to the packaging department.