Chiaro Sgabello Alto | MC8

As with many words, CHIARO has several definitions: clear, bright, and straightforward.

Chairs by nature are straightforward — the proportions of a seat and back suggest a place to sit, and regardless of their formal language, most of the time we know what to do with them.

Beyond physical function, furniture has a powerful ability to transform atmosphere. It is fascinating that despite technological progress, our fundamental need for chairs seems to endure, while the appearance of many chairs does not. A number of mysterious variables decide which designs find long term success.

Judging from history, one might guess that in order to last a chair must be culturally poignant, technologically or ergonomically innovative, or able to solve a particular need effectively. Sophisticated manufacturing technology and handcraft give Mattiazzi the rare ability to shape wood in almost any form.

Although I was extremely tempted to explore those boundaries, CHIARO is not a radical chair. This design flirts with notions of an archetype to create what seems to be an ordinary design that is both visually and physically comfortable in many different environments.