Plia Folding Chair

Anonima Castelli Plia Folding Chair – an Italian design icon from 1967

Hardly any other folding chair showcases its construction as confidently as the Plia folding chair by Anonima Castelli . Giancarlo Piretti designed the chair in 1967 and transformed a piece of furniture conceived primarily for functionality into an icon of Italian design. The delicate steel frame and the seemingly transparent surfaces of the seat and backrest give Plia its unmistakable lightness—whether unfolded in a room or folded up to save space.

Revolutionary Folding Mechanism by Giancarlo Piretti

At the heart of the Plia’s construction is Piretti’s famous three-disc hinge. This ingenious mechanism connects the seat, backrest, and front and rear legs, enabling smooth opening and folding. Rather than concealing the technology, it becomes a visible component of the design. It is precisely this combination of construction, function, and aesthetics that made the Plia a groundbreaking design of its time.

Steel and transparent surfaces with exceptional lightness

The slender construction gives the Anonima Castelli Plia a particularly light and minimalist appearance. The steel frame forms a clean geometric outline, while the seat and backrest reveal the structure beneath. Different color options for the frame, seat, and backrest allow for various interpretations of this classic—ranging from subtly transparent to bold and colorful.

A design classic and practical folding chair in one

Plia functions not only as a collector’s item but also as a straightforward, everyday object. When needed, the chair can be quickly set up and then folded down compactly. This makes it suitable as additional seating as well as for dining areas, home offices, or rooms where flexibility is needed to adapt to different situations.

A Piece of Italian Design History

The design attracted extraordinary attention even at its debut at the Milan Furniture Fair. To this day, Plia is Anonima Castelli and is considered one of Giancarlo Piretti’s signature designs. Its clean lines and innovative construction demonstrate how an everyday folding chair can become a furniture classic with high recognition value.