1981 Asolo / History

Asolo is the third milestone of Angelo Mangiarotti’s research into gravity joints. It builds on the experience of Eros (1971) and Incas (1978). The project explores the physical and mechanical characteristics of materials focusing on the exceptional qualities of granite, originally used here as the sole material. 
In Asolo, the contact patch is further reduced compared to Incas and the leg is reduced to almost two dimensions and every part that is not structurally involved gets deleted. The “mating” surface is at the bare minimum allowed by the material. 
Asolo means “eyelet” in italian. Two eyelets in fact, in which to fit two uprights of the same thickness; the vertical blocking is caused by the trapezoidal form of the legs that are also inclined to increase the stability of the whole. 
Originally, the table was conceived to be manufactured in granite only, this being the only material able to support the structural stress on its thin legs. Today, the table is available in marble thanks to the introduction of a layer of carbon-fiber in the legs themselves.