PONTICELLO

Ponticello is a timeless design born from the material fusion of wood, fibre- and acrylic glass, creating an artistic bridge between tradition and modernity. By using the advantage of the latest manufacturing industry and combining it with a traditional wood craftmanship, a design legacy is born merging the architectural and interior design field.

Inspired by the elegant/iconic bridges of Venice, a unique design draft of the Ponticello chair has been founded. The analogy between the Italian bridge, its considerable forms and organic material has led us to a new design symbiosis. We studied and analysed the harmonious combination of the two main geometric forms of a classical bridge– the circle and the rectangle. To translate the bridge‘s geometry into ergonomic seating dimensions, it was carefully aligned and then filleted. Subsequently, the bridge was divided into three segments transforming into its legs and backrest. In the next step, both sides were being rotated by 90 degrees. Special attention was drawn to the endpoints, resulting in the same square cross-section of both sides of the chair. The backrest follows the design process, gently connecting and ensuring comfort. In a final step, the construction was duplicated and rotated again to form the horizontals and forming the seating. Finally, the chair legs were po- sitioned and connected to the rotated side legs, to complete the final construction. The numerical and by that aesthetic interconnection is by far an important derivation to create a striking and recognizable design.

The wooden sides of the chair are connected through a mortise and tenon joint, while the solid wood frame for the seat is glued to both sides using a domino joining. The seat is connected by two slim elongations of the fiberglass materiel downwards and the insertion of a screw into the wooden frame, creating a flush connection with the seat. The fiberglass seat shell rests like a trophy on the rails. The curved wooden side parts, which are glued together using a lamello joint, end in the bridge-like wooden backrest, which is designed as a frame and completes the shape.

The connections to the wooden frame are reversible, allowing for easy interchangeability of the backrest and seat. The Ponticello chair allows simple repairs but also offers a potential exchange of color and materiality finishes for individual components. This variety and the simple connection of the fiber- and acrylic glass will make the chair enjoyable forever and adopt to its changing environments.