Gae Aulenti “Stringa” Living Room Set for Poltronova, 1962, Set of 3

Design
1962

Manufacture
1960-1969

Location
Lonigo, IT

Gae Aulenti “Stringa” living room set for Poltronova, stainless steel & black leather, 1962, set of three.

Designed by Gae Aulenti in 1962 and originally produced by Poltronova, this living room set — comprising two "Stringa" armchairs and a matching three-seat sofa — serves as a definitive example of Italian radical design. The concept centers on a structural interplay between a rigid, polished chrome tubular steel frame and the soft, tactile quality of the cushions. The name, meaning "lace," describes the unique method of securing the upholstery within the frame using straps, a move that exposed the structural skeleton rather than concealing it, creating a sense of transparency and lightness.

Aulenti's approach transformed these seats from merely decorative objects into a functional, modular system, consistent across both the armchairs and the sofa. By juxtaposing industrial materials with artisanal assembly, she created a timeless silhouette that remains as aesthetically relevant today as it was in the mid-sixties. This "Stringa" set stands as a testament to Aulenti's ability to marry industrial pragmatism with refined elegance, solidifying its status as a highly sought-after piece of Italian design history.