Gebrüder Thonet Vienna presented a series of new seating designs during Milan Design Week 2026, taking part in the Fuorisalone programme at Triennale Milano.
The exhibition, titled Continuum: From Archive to Living Art, was staged between 20 and 26 April across the Salone d'Onore and the Terrace, two of the venue's most prominent spaces. The presentation was developed in dialogue with a work by Quayola, creating a connection between historical design and contemporary artistic practice.
© Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
At the centre of the showcase were three new seating pieces, C 5501, C 1920 and the outdoor lounge chair C 1879, each derived from reinterpretations of the company's extensive archive.
According to the brand, the naming of the pieces reflects this heritage-led approach. The letter "C" refers to the Continuum collection, while the numerical codes reference either original model numbers or, where unavailable, the year of first production.
The new designs highlight Gebrüder Thonet Vienna's ongoing strategy of reworking historic typologies for contemporary use, combining traditional craftsmanship with updated forms suited to modern interiors and outdoor environments.
By presenting the collection within the Triennale Milano, the company positioned its work within a broader cultural and curatorial context, reinforcing the connection between design history and contemporary expression.
The collaboration with Quayola introduced a digital dimension to the installation, further emphasising the dialogue between archive and innovation.
For the wider furniture sector, the presentation reflects continued interest in heritage brands that reinterpret archival designs to meet current aesthetic and functional requirements.
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, known for its legacy in bentwood furniture production, continues to draw on its historical catalogue as a source of inspiration, translating past designs into new pieces that bridge tradition and contemporary design culture.
The Milan showcase underlined how archival research remains a key driver of product development for established European manufacturers.
More information:
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna
[email protected]
www.gebruederthonetvienna.com
