A D71 sofa designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in the 1950s, a project in which the generous upholstered volume is balanced by the expressive geometry of the exposed wooden structure. The continuous seat and backrest establish a broad, uninterrupted composition, while the sharply articulated armrests and splayed legs introduce a distinctive sense of movement. The design reflects Borsani’s ability to reconcile comfort with structural clarity, translating the language of the modern armchair into a larger domestic element without losing its formal precision.
The wooden structure is defined by a sequence of angular transitions and carefully resolved joints, with the armrests extending forward in long, tapered planes. Their pronounced profile contrasts with the softness of the upholstered seat and backrest, creating a continuous dialogue between structural definition and domestic comfort. The light-coloured textured fabric emphasises the generous proportions of the upholstery, while the warm tone of the wood and the visible brass fittings articulate the construction. The uninterrupted horizontal development of the seat gives the sofa a particularly strong architectural presence.
Produced by Tecno, the D71 belongs to the period in which Borsani’s work increasingly explored the relationship between furniture, industrial production and the modern domestic interior. The model’s combination of expressive wooden elements and carefully proportioned upholstery demonstrates the continuity between his architectural approach and his furniture designs, balancing structural experimentation, comfort and a distinctly modern sense of proportion.
Condition: Excellent overall condition.
Provenance: Private residence, Zoagli.
Restoration: Wooden elements refinished and polished. Upholstery and fabric renewed.
Documentation: Giampiero Bosoni, Osvaldo Borsani. Architetto, designer, imprenditore, Skira, 2018.
An identical model is preserved at Villa Borsani, Varedo.
