GamFratesi designs allegory desk, targa + morris seating for gebrüder thonet

GamFratesi designs allegory desk, targa + morris seating for gebrüder thonet
all photos courtesy of GamFratesi

italian-danish duo GamFratesi have realized a line-up of furniture for gebrüder thonet: the ‘allegory’ desk, ‘targa’ sofa and lounge and ‘morris’ chairs.

front view of the desk reveals how the circular back balances the rectangular desk

the ‘allegory’ desk features a bent beech wood construction and is characterized by a woven cane screen inscribed in its circular frame. the octagonal patterned mesh adds a complex design element while increasing functionality by allowing users to hang memos on the weave, while also offering a more private and intimate place to work.

the profile of the desk reveals subtle design elements including flaring at the legs

the circular mesh screen allows users to hang memos and notes

conceptual sketch of the ‘allegory’ desk

‘targa’ sofa and lounge

the ‘targa’ sofa and lounge combines the comfort of fully-upholsterd furniture, shaped by a bentwood structure that is a signature of gebrüder thonet. while the upholstered sections are simply supported by the wooden frame, the vienna woven cane is fixed into the construction, creating a small screen along the seating’s backrest.

‘targa’ sofa

‘targa’ lounge chair

conceptual sketch of the ‘targa’ sofa and lounge
‘morris’ chairs

rounding out GamFratesi’s collection of furniture for the viennese company is ‘morris’ — a reinterpretation of the classic thonet chair in which new proportions have been carefully worked in. of the design, GamFratesi says, ‘our aim was to reach a delicate shape achieving small proportion. the chair is made of classic bend wood technique and vienna cane. the upholstered seat in textile gives comfort and personality to the chair. we have developed two versions with low and high back to create a playful combination in contract use situation. the name ‘morris’ is inspired by morris mini-minor, the first commercial name of the ‘mini’ car in the history.’

‘morris’ is a reinterpretation of the classic thonet chair
front view of the ‘morris’ chairs