This desk is a clear demonstration of Albini’s rationalist design philosophy and minimalist aesthetic, the design derives its appeal through simplicity of form and celebration of material, without extraneous ornamentation. It represents one of the first collaborations between Italian designers and American companies and is the predecessor for the 1961 ‘Stadera’ desk manufactured by Poggi.

Franco Albini was a major figure in the Neo-Rationalist Movement, excelling in architectural, furniture, industrial and museum design. After receiving a degree in architecture from the Politecnico di Milano in 1929, he worked with the Ponti and Lancia design studios. His work for the magazine Casabella also played a key part in his development, marking his conversion to the Rationalist Movement and his becoming its spokesman on the Italian cultural scene.  While working under famed Italian designer Gio Ponti, Albini developed an appreciation for combinations of traditional craft techniques and modern forms. His portfolio is recognized for remarkably transparent furniture designs, which often feature very basic, near-raw materials and make little effort to conceal their internal structure or processes of production.