Some design pieces are timeless, and that’s not an adjective for the sake of adjectives. The Sesann sofa and the entire project signed by Gianfranco Frattini prove it. The Italian designer created this set for the Italian company Cassina in 1970. Over 40 years later, in 2015, the company Tacchini reissued the entire furniture set, which looks as contemporary as it did in the 70s.
Why? Because the Sesann set fits in every space, and it’s comfortable in every situation. Its elegant lines and shapes make the set perfect for a waiting room in an office or studio. Meanwhile, the comfortable padding and the warm materials make the sofas and armchair ideal for a living room. From work to home, Frattini produced the Sesann sofa for everyone.
The specs of the set
The original set includes different pieces that mix and match. It features an armchair, a two-seater and three-seater sofa, plus an elegant coffee table. Innovative in the 70s, Frattini created a project filled with shapes, comfort, and innovation.
One of the top innovations is the padding’s technology, which is polyurethane foam. The properties of this padding include ergonomy, so the seats and cushions adjust to the body shape. The designer used the same technology for the backrest insert and seat. The seat itself is made of thick poplar plywood and solid fir wood with elastic belts.
On the other hand, the external structure of the Sesann sofa is made of chrome steel, and customers had three options for the upholstery: velvet, soft leather, and cotton. All-natural and warm materials, almost a wink to the past of Italian design. While plastic was becoming more and more relevant, materials such as wood and leather were becoming obsolete.
Designers like Gianfranco Frattini believed in the power of tradition. But with a twist. In fact, the innovative group of designers, who included names like Afra and Tobia Scarpa, looked at the past for inspiration while producing furniture in industrial design. So, the feet of the Sesann sofa are made of walnut or ash wood, while the forms of the set look simple yet chic. Afterward, Cassina started to make them of plastic. But the Tacchini’s reissue features the original wooden feet. Frattini created a bold set focused on contrast and textures, especially when it came to the upholstery options.
The story of the Sesann Sofa
This project for Cassina was so successful that it received an honorable mention at the 3rd Compasso d’Oro. The award focused on innovative and alternative design, on creators who pushed the boundaries of Italian design all the way to the international stage. To make this push even stronger, creators had companies like Cassina, a business that focused on industrial style, and Italian designers like Gio Ponti.
And designers like Gianfranco Frattini, who also created the 849 armchair for Cassina. Everything Frattini produced had a specific philosophy in mind. He mainly focused on the concept of space. He wanted to create a feeling in the viewer and not just fill the emptiness. So he used shapes and materials to make those emotions happen.
His furniture is comfortable, functional, and elegant. His jewelry, everyday objects, and lamps are chic and practical. Frattini introduced industrial design, but he added his own touch, filled with emotions and intention. He wanted to create those same emotions in people who enjoyed the Sesann sofa and set.
The armchair and couches are comfortable, perfect for a group of friends and a drink or morning coffee. After all, there must be a reason for the 2015 reissue. To the company Tacchini, it was worth it. So is for any design enthusiast.
