It takes wood to make a table. Porada knows this all too well. Since 1968 Luigi Allievi’s company has in fact made the use of solid wood its signature trademark. But Porada also knows that as fine as wood may be, it is not enough; to create a design object that speaks a universal language you also need research, technology and inspiration.
And therefore to make a table, dresser, bookcase or chair you do need wood, but above you need study to team with genius. This is the starting point for going backstage at Porada and discovering the concept behind the object, the ideas and the hands of those who thought up and then designed the icon pieces in the new Seventeen collection.
ALFRED – David Dolcini
“My work,” writes David Dolcini, “aims to investigate the relationship between complexity and simplicity to find that magic that only delicate equilibrium of these two elements manages to recreate.”
David has Italian origins and comes from a long tradition of craftsmanship. His passion for material and search for equilibrium are the cornerstone for his creations: Alfred, the table designed for Porada, is one example.
“This table reworks the trestle model, thanks to the use of solid Canaletto walnut wood, brushed brass and tempered glass. “Study into the legs of the table refers to criss-cross metal architecture from the nineteenth century, while the central joints, glass supports and adjustable feet are evidence of the project’s technical inspiration.
BAYUS ed ELEY – Gabriele e Oscar Buratti
Two brothers, a single passion for objects, furnishings and design. Their intense, multi-varied professional path where themes, places and people weave together styles, materials and production processes. The duo has designed residential buildings, work in old city centres, home and showroom furnishings. Their intention is to combine culture with experimentation and originality. For Seventeen, Gabriele and Oscar Buratti have concentrated on the bedroom, coming up with bedside tables, chests of drawers, dressing tables with mirrors and desks, combining the linchpin of Porada, solid wood, with structures in metal. In this way they have brought balanced visibility to the game of contrasts.
FUJI - Tarcisio Colzani
A freelancer and free thinker. Works by Tarcisio Colzani are where technology and thought meet up. Together, study and idea come together to produce small works of art free from frills. The Fuji table is therefore enchanting in the minimal simplicity of its lines, teamed with clever use of ebony. Colzani explains its origins: “It grew out of an intuition triggered by looking at what we often admire in nature documentaries: the bud that lengthens and widens to form the flower’s corolla of petals.” Twelve segments of wood therefore rise upwards and together, exploding to form the table top. The central hole allows comprehension of the link between the axis and the petals and can be used as a frame or for holding a plant or other object.
DALIDA - Carlo Ballabio
Originally from Cantù, the Brianza centre for interior furnishing design and production, Carlo Ballabio has for a while now been one of the hands and minds behind Porada creations. For Seventeen, he decided to experiment with contrasts and elements having strong visual impact. This led to Dalida, a bookcase whose shaped sculpted uprights are arranged irregularly between the shelves. “Designed as a room divider or classic wall bookcase, it gives best results when several are used alongside each other as it gives a very interesting modular perception without any gaps in the shelving.”
HARALD e SONJIA – Gino Carollo
With a multi-faceted career behind him, Gino Carollo has analysed all the aspects, angulations and connotations of furnishings. From art director to industrial designer, Carollo has collaborated with many companies, thanks also to his ability to team engineering with art, involving different noble materials in dialogue. “Harald combines the timeless elegance of wood with the eternal refinement of glass. Sonja plays with elements having contrasting volumes and aesthetics, resulting in a project that prioritises attention to detail and constant research into innovation.”
JOINT – Marconato e Zappa
Both originally from Como, both devoted to the study of design. The passion shared by Maurizio Marconato and Terry Zappa ensured that they met and moved to Cantù, where they forged flair with experience to make furnishings. “Joint is a series of occasional tables whose structure is highlighted by the use of metal and wood that come together in a joint that has an almost animal shape. The foot looks like a stilt, the central part is in Canaletto walnut and the slender arm extensions support the glass or marble top.”
