The 454 chair is the result of the creativity and technical expertise of Bruno Morassutti, in collaboration with Mario Memoli, Giovanna Gussoni, and M. Gabriella Beneventi. This stunning piece seamlessly combines clean, essential lines with exceptional wood craftsmanship, showcasing the visionary design of four talented creators. Made of durable hornbeam wood, the structure consists of two overlapping frames: a larger one that functions as the backrest and a smaller one that supports the seat. To ensure maximum comfort, both the backrest and seat are made elastic through a rubber lattice that adapts to the weight and returns to its original position. Additionally, the chair is foldable and, when closed, has a thickness of only 2 cm, minimizing its footprint. A perfect balance of technology, elegance, and comfort, ideal for the dining environment.
La chaise italianienne, p. 128, Experts 1980 _ disign Mobel italienisches, p. 167,168, year 1980
Bruno Morassutti (1920-2008) was a prominent Italian architect and designer, known for his rational and innovative approach, with a strong focus on functionality and material experimentation. Born in Padua, he studied at the Istituto Universitario di Architettura in Venice, where his mentors included Franco Albini and Carlo Scarpa. After graduating, Morassutti spent some time in the United States, working at Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio in Taliesin, an experience that influenced his style, oriented towards essential lines and the harmony between buildings and their environment. In 1969, Morassutti founded the design studio “Morassutti & Associati Architetti” with Giovanna Gussoni, Mario Memoli, and his wife Maria Gabriella Benevento, with whom he developed significant projects in architecture and design. One of the outcomes of this collaboration is the famous **model 450 chair**, designed for Bernini, which combines wood and rubber in an innovative structure and is now part of the permanent collection of the Design Museum at the Triennale in Milan. The chair, thanks to its foldable structure and the comfort provided by the use of elastic materials, represents a perfect example of the studio’s rational approach and continuous technical experimentation. Morassutti also collaborated with architect Angelo Mangiarotti in the 1950s, developing iconic projects for private residences and design furniture based on modular and prefabricated solutions, during a time when these approaches were particularly innovative. Morassutti’s career, characterized by rigor and a modernist vision, left a lasting impact on the Italian architectural and design scene. Morassutti and his studio embodied the essence of Italian design, merging aesthetics and functionality in works that remain today as benchmarks for innovation and research in the field of architecture and design.