The Arco system was designed by Studio BBPR for Olivetti in the 50’s and 60’s. The desk alone looks like it’s going for around $2500 on the used market. Way too much for a desk, but would be nice to have such a classic design as inspiration every day.
Some details on the desk from this auction:
Olivetti
Italy, 1963
lacquered steel, vinyl, plastic
63 w x 66 d x 30 h inches
Desk features three locking drawers and return features five shallow drawers. Signed with molded manufacturer’s mark to desk drawer: [Olivetti Arredamenti Metallici].
Some images via 1st Dibs
Looks like a piece of shit. Sorry. Someone had to say it. I wouldn’t set that up in my room if I was paid $2500.
second the above comment.
It does look like a stow-away table with some plastic drawers nailed to it.
Yeah, agreed with all the comments. My first thought was to ask if it came with red solo cups and ping pong balls.
Wow! Do you bear in mind that this was designed in the 50’s; long before stow-away tables and office tray-drawers were around, and at a time when desks where at their most boring form and shape?
So, some might think that it looks like shit, while others appreciate and celebrate this as one of the first steps to make the office space a less boring, less painful to the eye place.
And yes, $2500 is kinda too much.
The table’s support system and the general design concept is interesting, but the materials are out of date, just as you’d expect for certain products from the 50’s.
This reminds me of swivel chairs by Hans Wegner being sold for $12,000, you’re paying for the novelty and the symbolic value as opposed to the material product that you receive.
Link to the chairs: http://www.danishdesignstore.com/products/pp502-swivel-chair-by-hans-wegner
This desk rules.
Yay you’re back!!! Love the space and you know I’ve alyaws been a fan of Kelly Chau Photography!! Hope to catch up soon with you ad A; miss you guys! (Thanks so much for the card btw!)