607 Taliesin 1

A geometric armchair for a surprisingly new aesthetic code by Frank Lloyd Wright. Taliesin 1, designed by Wright for his own home, a masterpiece of modern architecture. The Taliesin 1 armchair was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1949 for the living room of his Taliesin West home/studio in Arizona, today the headquarters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Acclaimed as one of his greatest works, Frank Lloyd Wright developed this piece of architecture between 1937 and 1959 in the Sonora desert in Arizona, not just as his residence but also as a workshop and school. Wright lived there until his death at the age of 91 in 1959. An authentic piece of wooden origami, expression of his design maturity. In the early part of his career, Wright created furniture, and in parallel architecture, that stood out for its classic forms and balanced proportions. In the years that followed, he began to explore more sophisticated solutions, experimenting with far more complex designs. Indicative of this design evolution, with its angled components, the Taliesin 1 has a complex geometrical structure that ensures the stability of the chair. Constructed from a single piece of folded plywood, it is frequently called ‘Origami’ because of the way it recalls this Japanese art. The return of an even more comfortable icon. The first reedition of the Taliesin 1 armchair was produced by Cassina between 1986 and 1990; it was part of the collection for only a short amount of time perhaps because it was still seen as too avant-garde. Thirty years later Cassina unveils a new version in accordance with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

Completely manufactured in the company’s carpentry workshop, the armchair combines handcraftsmanship with the most advanced wood processing technologies. The project has been further developed thanks to the study of original drawings and the research and reconstruction work carried out by Cassina for the first reedition under the guidance of Professor Filippo Alison. Compared with the first edition various additional elements, such as the front feet, have been eliminated in order to place greater emphasis on its folds, and the armchair is even more comfortable thanks to its thicker padding and more reclined backrest. A contemporary limited edition of 450 pieces in addition to the historical version.