Patricia Urquiola: Windsor in Plastic

(jiří macek) The Comeback technopolymer chair by Patricia Urquiola, presented by Kartell in Milan last week, is a beautiful quotation of the traditional Winsdor chair and a demonstration of the possibilities of plastic, which is Kartell’s sovereign material.

The Windsor chair, whose history dates back to the 18th century, ranked among the most popular chairs of many architects, e.g. Adolf Loos often placed it in his interior designs. Even though one of its versions is included in the catalogue of the Thonet company, the original shape was probably designed by an unknown English cabinetmaker. Patricia Urquiola did not do any harm to it through her re-design and transformation of its principles into plastic. On the contrary, the possibilities of plastic tempered its lines and details and provided a reference to the heroes who sought functionality and ergonometrics. If one realizes that Patricia Urquiola has already been showing us the way towards the future of design for several years now, it is clear that Kartell could not celebrate the 60th anniversary of its life in plastic in a better way. The brand has celebrated in a monumental manner indeed. The legendary company, founded by chemistry engineer Guilio Castelli in 1949, presented sixteen new pieces in Milan. The Comeback chair serves as a tasting. Other delicacies are to follow.

Kartell products can be found in several showrooms in the Czech Republic. The Kartell Flag Store is located in Senovážné náměstí in Prague.

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