Franco Albini

Rare set of six “Luisella” chairs by Franco Albini for Carlo Poggi, Pavia, Italy 1955. Teak and cotton fabric.

After working for around 15 years on several prototypes of the model, the Italian designer, architect and town planner Franco Albini (1905-77) completed what is considered to be a masterpiece: the Luisa chair, with armrests, and Luisella, the chair without armrests. The definitive teak version was put into production by Carlo Poggi in 1955.

Luisa is often compared to the equally minimal and robust Leggera chair, designed by architect and designer Giò Ponti, with whom Albini apprenticed after graduating in architecture from Milan Polytechnic in 1929.

Albini’s blend of functionalism and style won him numerous awards, including the 1955 Compasso d’Oro, a prestigious Italian award for excellence in industrial design. (This award was created by Gio Ponti in 1954).

It is also in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The Luisa chair, with armrests, is still produced by Cassina. The Luisella chair, without armrests, is no longer produced.

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