Side Chair "Synthesis 45" Office Furniture System

Designer Ettore Sottsass Italian, born Austria

Manufacturer Ing. C. Olivetti & C. S.p.A., Ivrea, Italy

1972

Not on view

Sottsass began designing individual office equipment for Olivetti in 1959, though he eventually became interested in creating ideal, holistic work spaces. This pursuit led to the development of Synthesis 45, an integrated office furniture suite with more than one hundred components, including desks, cabinets, chairs, and divider screens. Basic units feature neutral hues with pops of color, like the vibrant yellow frame of this adjustable typist’s chair, red and blue side panels for office cubicles, and brightly colored desk accessories.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Side Chair "Synthesis 45" Office Furniture System
Designer: Ettore Sottsass (Italian (born Austria), Innsbruck 1917–2007 Milan)
Manufacturer: Ing. C. Olivetti & C. S.p.A., Ivrea, Italy
Date: 1972
Medium: Aluminum, steel, plastic, synthetic foam, synthetic fabric
Dimensions: 30 11/16 × 22 1/4 × 23 7/16 in. (78 × 56.5 × 59.5 cm)
Seat H. adjustable
Classification: Furniture
Credit Line: Anonymous Gift, 1987
Object Number: 1987.386
Rights and Reproduction: © 2025 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art

More Artwork

By Ing. C. Olivetti & C. S.p.A., Ivrea, Italy

By Ettore Sottsass

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"I Designed It For Pitagora" Desk, Ettore Sottsass Italian, born Austria, Brier-wood and pear-wood veneers, marble, painted wood — "I Designed It For Pitagora" Desk
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"The Structures Tremble", Ettore Sottsass Italian, born Austria, Plastic laminate, composition board, painted steel, rubber, glass — "The Structures Tremble"
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"Ivory" Table, Ettore Sottsass Italian, born Austria, Formica, wood, glass — "Ivory" Table
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