lanzavecchia wai fools gold
lanzavecchia + wai covers corrugated steel furniture with gold-chrome car wrap
all images © davide farabegoli

 

 

 

referencing the laminates used by the italian group alchimia in the late 1970’s, design duo lanzavecchia + wai created ‘fools gold’, a furniture collection consisting of a tall cabinet and a console. the pieces of furniture are constructed out of corrugated steel sheets that are then covered with gold-chrome car wrap. the designers appropriated this laminating technique from alchimia, which was what gave the postmodernist pieces their unique and recognisable visual effect. 

lanzavecchia wai fools gold
the ‘fools’ gold’ furniture collection is composed of a tall cabinet and console 

 

 

 

the wrapping material was chosen on purpose in order to increase the perceived value of the pieces while revealing at the same time its actual humble materiality. the corrugated property not only gives the metal sheet its structural strength but also maximizes the surface area for the car wrap application, therefore adding even more value to the regular steel layer.

lanzavecchia wai fools gold
referencing the 1970’s italian group alchimia laminating processes, the pieces were covered in gold-chrome car wrap 

 

 

 

the ‘fool’s gold’ collection was first presented during ‘the alchemists’ exhibition at la triennale di milano during milan design week 2015. the show that documented the results of a lecture and workshop series held at singapore’s national design centre.

lanzavecchia wai fools gold
the wrapped material is a galvanized corrugated steel

lanzavecchia wai fools gold
the gold-chrome wrap adds to the perceptive value of the furniture 

lanzavecchia wai fools gold
the corrugated shape of the metal sheet gives it structural strength and maximizes the covering surface

lanzavecchia wai fools gold
the pieces were presented during ‘the alchemist’ exhibition

lanzavecchia wai fools gold
‘fools’ gold’ tall cabinet and console

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: juliana neira | designboom