First presented at Salone del Mobile 2023, the Trave chair, designed by Alberto Brogliato and Federico Traverso, is a response to the challenge set out by Magis: a new take on the concept of solid wood. The design duo BrogliatoTraverso combines industry and craftsmanship in the Magis way.
What the designers came up with is all about subtraction: a simple bar of solid ash which becomes the focus of the entire design. The steam-bent bar is the only element to which the legs and the two fabric cushions, which serve as seat and backrest, are attached. This structural solution reduces the components to a minimum, while increasing comfort by allowing large padded surfaces.
BrogliatoTraverso's approach to design is called "No time, no space" and refers to their will to make objects with a timeless design that fits any context. This is reflected in the design of the chair. 'Trave presents a new perspective on the structure of a solid wood chair, a complexity resolved with simple and distinctive style', explain the designers.
The production of Trave pushes solid wood bending technology to its limits. Indeed, only the preparation of the central curved beam requires seven days, in which the piece first gets soaked in steam, then immediately bent, and finally placed in a drying kiln. Once dried, the beam is refined and assembled with legs and cushions, obtaining a chair that merges industrial technology and craftsmanship. 'It took a great deal of trial and error before we managed to bend a piece of that size with this kind of curve.'
The frame is available in three colours, natural ash, black ash, and oak finish, while the cushions are available in a variety of fabrics suitable for both home and contract settings.
More information:
Magis
www.magis.com