Lierna, Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni

The Castiglioni brothers, Achille and Pier Giacomo, named the Lierna chair after a town on Lake Como. The project is based on rigorous design, and fits into the ambit of reflections on functionalism starting with traditional chair types. Although the structure of Lierna is in lacquered solid wood, the chair is actually very light. Thanks to the experimental approach of the Castiglioni brothers, applied to create a very solid chair in spite of its slender forms, Lierna is an excellent example of the correspondence between form and function, free of virtuoso gestures but defining a new totally Italian interpretation of the Modern.

Lierna is designed without lateral, frontal or back crossbars, liberating the legs of the chair and allowing users to move their own legs without restrictions into the most comfortable position. The padded seat covered in leather or fabric also makes it extremely comfortable and ergonomic. The stated intention of the Castiglioni brothers was to create a chair as a “posture reminder,” far ahead of its time: “It is a chair specifically conceived to accompany a dining table. Therefore the back is quite high, shielding the shoulders of the diners; it is narrow, to facilitate the movements of those serving the meal; and it is perfectly suited to the positioning of seated guests”. The structure of the back – intentionally, but without coercion – fosters an erect, “well-mannered” sitting position, which is also correct from a physiological standpoint. The back bends with a carefully shaped line that prevents contracture and arching, specifically addressing the needs of people dining around a table. Nevertheless, Lierna is also perfect for working on a table.