D70

When the D70 was first presented as a “patented sofa-bed” at the Exhibition of individual furniture items in the 10th Triennale Exhibition in 1954, it emblemised the fresh direction taken by the newly formed Tecno. Almost as a manifesto statement, the highly visible mechanical joint expressed Osvaldo Borsani’s determination to design and make items of furniture that were original, autonomous and elegant in form, but technical and industrial in production. The D70 has two pivoting wings, a metal frame, polyurethane foam filling, and fabric or leather upholstery. The opening mechanism consists of a lever with a securing pin that engages with holes in a graduated plate. The mechanism is operated effortlessly by a practical knob and allows the backrest and seat to assume any angle and to fold down to form a bed. The base and all painted metal parts are finished in dark grey or satin nickel. The sofa is strikingly harmonious in its form and static design, and extremely comfortable too, thanks to the way in which its soft parts adapt to the shape of the body. It has become a design icon for home, office and reception areas.