1980’s: Toledo Chair

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History

Between 1986 and 1988 Jorge Pensi designed the Toledo chair as a stackable outdoor chair for Spanish cafes. It is light and yet very stable. The design aesthetics has been kept equally high as the ergonomics and stability of the chair. Toledo chair won a number of highly recognised awards: the First Award Selection from SIDI, Silver Delta Awards from the Assoziazione del Diesegno Industriale and a Design-Auswal 90 Award from the Stuttgart Design Center.

Designed by

Argentinian and Spanish designer Jorge Pensi (born in 1946)

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Dimensions

Height 77 cm, width 56.5cm, depth 56 cm, seat height 44.5 cm.

Materials

Epoxy-coated cast aluminum and aluminum tubing.

Elements and Principles

Shape is the main Element, and Repetition is the governing Principle of this design. Repeated ribbons of the aluminium slats create the unique design of the Toledo chair. The repeating gaps also serve the practical purpose of letting the rainwater escape – as would be needed for an outdoor chair.

Manufactured by

Amat s.a., Martorell, Barcelona

Used by Designers

Although designed for outdoor cafes and gardens, the Toledo chair quickly made its way to indoor spaces as well. Outdoor this chair looks great and functions well in cafes, on terraces or balconies. Indoor it can be used in residential dining rooms and kitchens, it works well in commercial interiors such as restaurants and cafes, meeting rooms, waiting rooms or offices. Toledo chair emanates simple and unassuming elegance combined with quality and practicality.

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Replicas

Currently Knoll manufactures the Toledo chair. However this functional chair has many replicas worldwide. AliBaba website sells replicas in PVC (seat and backrest) and they are in a variety of bright colours.

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