The element of surprise that distinguishes the design of Frattini is back. Sesamo is a master of disguise, when it is closed, it looks like a solid sculptural masse, when it is open, it becomes a writing-desk. The construction is complex and combines contemporary technology with cabinetmaking tradition; by simple pulling the top towards himself, appears the throw, that is composed by drawers, shelves and 2 little glass sliding-doors. A balanced mechanism makes this transformation a smooth simple operation. The structure is characterised by volume in the form of parallelepiped and with 6 big drawers, is made with precious pearwood that make a contrast with the rotating cylindrical base in black varnished. The top is made in black leather /
Le fabbrieche del design, di G. Gramigna, Ed. Alberto Alessandr & C, pag. 57 - Year 2007
Gianfranco Frattini was born in Padua on May 15, 1926, in 1953 he graduated in Architecture at the Milan Polytechnic and entered Gio Ponti's studio. He opened his own studio, initially with Franco Bettonica, in Milan. Numerous companies collaborate with in the field of furniture and lighting design, including Cassina, Bernini, Arteluce, Knoll and Artemide, for which, with Livio Castiglioni, he designs an absolute masterpiece, the "Boalum" floor lamp, first of all a typological invention. Wood is undoubtedly the favorite material for Frattini, a passion in common with Pierluigi Ghianda, cabinetmaker from Bovisio Masciago, who will unite the two in a strong and consolidated relationship that, in addition to the human aspect, tells the passion of a lived job to the executors, always attentive to the quality of the close realization and of the design stories. Frattini revolutionizes interior architecture by creating a world of beauty and rigor. The architect is an attentive director for Frattini, the design and the interiors do not add up in a virtuous and elegant combination, but merge to set up a new vision of the interiors that effectively sums up furniture design. Some of its interior architectures mark the social rituals of the city of Milan in the early 1960s, in particular the Stork Club and the St. Andrews restaurant. Furthermore, we must remember the achievements in Portofino, Capri and the interiors of the Hilton hotel in Tokyo. Numerous reports were received at the Compasso d'Oro, as well as the Medals and Grand Prix of the Milan Triennale. Domus magazine regularly publishes its products and creations. Frattini is one of the founders of ADI and is repeatedly involved in the management of the Milan Triennale. In 1988 Pier Carlo Santini dedicated an important monograph to him "Italian Design, Gianfranco Frattini" 1988. We also remember the book Ritrovare Gianfranco Frattini, Rescovered by Marco Romanelli, Triennale Design Museum, 2018. Gianfranco Frattini died in Milan on April 6, 2004. The furniture currently on sale by BGallery consists of historic pieces purchased on the secondary market dating back to the historical production of Bernini srl, and BGallery does not directly or indirectly produce historic furniture designed by architect Gianfranco Frattini. /