Stability – what a novel concept in this day and age. We search, create, and yearn for the balance of life to “just slow down a bit,” unwilling to admit that is in fact true of all moments in time, and probably those in the future. A wide stance is needed to maintain sustained strength, consistency one of our most silent but deadly weapons. The Settecento Chair by Leonardo Liendo creates space to sit among what could be considered chaos, a sign of welcome in the eye of the storm.
Taking inspiration from Gio Ponti’s 699 Superleggera, these familiar typologies are translated through the lens of steel rather than wood, creating unique vertices all their own. Two continuous curved tubes form both the legs and backrest, reducing the structure to its most essential gesture while maintaining a clear and recognizable silhouette. A perforated, CNC laser-cut seat lessens overall weight, yet adds a charming transparency as well—its openings offering ventilation and drainage, making the chair equally at home indoors or out.
Multiple powder-coated colors make this project modern and virtually indestructible. The four colors are as follows: Caffè, a deep brown; Terracotta, a warm brown; Pistacchio, a yellow-leaning green; and Metallo, a clear gloss lacquer that preserves the integrity of the steel while revealing its material honesty.
Double bars on the back distribute weight more evenly than a singular bar, a subtle nod to Ponti’s iconic design language. Placed closer together, they offer a more controlled leverage when handling the chair, allowing for greater ease and accessibility in use. The result is an object that feels intuitive in the hand as much as it does stable beneath the body—where interaction becomes second nature rather than effort.
Designed and produced entirely in Argentina, the chair balances industrial precision with a hands-on sensibility. Each component is bent, welded, and assembled with care, reinforcing a dialogue between machine process and human touch.
Leonardo Liendo, based in Córdoba, Argentina, balances a highly experimental process with meticulous sensitivity to form and function. Clear logic follows his work, pieces immediately expressing their purpose with distinction. The Settecento Chair platforms familiar shapes that bridge a warmth of tradition and the freshness of modernity—an object that feels both remembered and newly resolved.
To learn more about the Settocento Chair by Leonardo Liendo, visit leonardoliendo.com.
Photography by Sofia Quiroga.
