Rinaldi-Sarfatti-Borsani aka Rima-Arteluce-Techno. According to the architect, designer, writer and critic Marco Romanelli, this list expresses a common destiny. In particular, the stories of Rinaldi and Sarfatti are characterized by bizarre coincidences. Both design for the family business, both are not architects and both are actually so-called mono typological designers. Where it is lamps for Sarfatti, Rinaldi excels in chairs.

Rinaldi is therefore mentioned in the same breath as other greats within design. He was a revolutionary because he managed to break with the tradition of so-called upholsterer's furniture such as Cesare Cassina produced. Romanelli explains that Rinaldi bends the tube and stamps the sheet metal, then paints it black. Not an upholsterer, not a carpenter, but rather an engineer and inventor (p. 9).

Design

These P 94 lounge chairs radiate finesse through the apparently simple frame. But not an inch of the individual wooden parts have the same length, size or width and the way they are positioned at a gentle angle results in a strong organic character. The seat is technically fully connected to all parts of the chair. At the very front, the mortise and tenon connection of the front rail is visible and then the side rail extends through the front legs to end with again a mortise and tenon connection in the rear legs. And just before that we see another round pin and spigot connection.

The front and rear legs are made of dark walnut and the horizontal elements such as the backrest and front rail are made of ash. A subtle combination where walnut demonstrates a refined glow and drawing and ash has a coarser wood grain. In addition to their classic comfort, nine cognac saddle leather girths add a surplus of aesthetic value to these architectural objects.

Finally, the Kvadrat upholstery provides an extra sensory tingle due to its mixed composition and coarse surface structure. Bouclé yarn gives the soft look and the palette consists of natural shades combined with bold combinations.

Condition
The P 94s have been restored a regola d'arte with accurate preservation of the original character and appearance.

Literature
Giuseppe Drago, Jacopo Drago.”Gastone Rinaldi, Designer alla Rima”. p. 190, Capitolium Art Edizioni. 2015, Brescia.