Cassina, established in 1927 by Cesare and Umberto Cassina in Meda, Italy, has been a pioneer in the transition from artisan to industrial production in Italian design. With a focus on research, innovation, and combining technology with artisan craftsmanship, Cassina has created iconic pieces that have significantly influenced modern furniture design.
The company’s collaboration with renowned architects and designers led to revolutionary designs. The 699 chair, known as the Superleggera, designed in partnership with Gio Ponti, is an example of such innovation. This lightweight yet strong wood chair has become an icon of Italian design around the world. The Carimate small armchair by Vico Magistretti, introduced in 1963, is another early success story, marking Cassina’s rich history of design collaboration.
Cassina’s collection includes significant furnishings designed in the 1920s by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand, embodying the principles of modernity and excellence. Other iconic pieces include the Soriana sofa and armchair by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, which received the Compasso d’Oro for its masterful complexity and simplicity, and the Maralunga sofa by Vico Magistretti, a popular design distinguished by its adjustable backrest.
The Cab chair by Mario Bellini, resembling a tailor-made suit with a skin fit over a tubular steel skeleton, is a game-changer in design and part of the MoMA permanent collection in New York. The Wink armchair by Toshiyuki Kita, embodying 1980s design with its versatile and informal style, and the Privé collection by Philippe Starck, known for its innovative capitonné tufting motifs, are other noteworthy contributions from Cassina. Recently, the company has expanded into outdoor furniture with the Cassina Outdoor collection, reflecting a new direction in their design philosophy.