Osvaldo Borsani (1911 – 1985) Italian Furniture Designer and Architect

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Borsani’s P40 adjustable lounge chair alongside Zara Home’s Octagonal Table

Osvaldo Borsani (1911 – 1985) was an Italian furniture designer and architect. In 1954, he and his twin brother Fulgenzio changed the name of their grandfather’s company, Borsani Arredamenti, to Tecno, emphasising the company’s transition from craft to industry.

Biography

Osvaldo Borsani was born in Varedo, Switzerland, at the crossroads of craft and modern manufacturing. The son of a cabinetmaker, he trained as an architect in Milan in the 1930s, when the city was a centre of technological advancement and flourishing artistry, with the economic momentum to propel both at speed. A creative pioneer, technical innovator, and entrepreneur, he would come to revolutionise the world of contract furniture.

Imitation is the biggest compliment. We don’t bother to go through a lawsuit each time we run into an imitation of our furniture; we write a complimentary letter.

Osvaldo Borsani

With his twin brother Fulgenzio, Borsani developed a new productive formula based on two tenets: ‘an original idea’ and ‘fulfilling a need’. Their vision took shape in 1953, when they founded Tecno, and started manufacturing Italian design on an industrial scale. The use of innovative technology gave Tecno furniture a distinct elegance that came to characterise the brand.

Lounge Chair by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
Lounge Chair by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s

Borsani was best known for his 1954-55 p40 articulated chaise lounge and its matte, the 1955 D70 sofa version. The rubber armchair was a sophisticated ‘machine for sitting’ that could, it was claimed, assume 486 positions.

Legacy and Influence

Borsani’s designs are celebrated for their timeless elegance and innovative use of materials. His work is featured in prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. (Wikipedia) His legacy inspires contemporary designers, reflecting a seamless blend of artisanal craftsmanship and industrial innovation.

Sources

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing.

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