Tavolo Con Ruote

The Tavolo con Ruote(Table with Wheels) was designed by Gae Aulenti in 1980.

Gae Aulenti drew inspiration from an industrial trolley utilised at the FontanaArte factory for transporting glass, which led to the creation of her Tavolo con Ruote (Table with Wheels). This remarkable piece of design bypasses the conventional drawing board phase and directly translates the concept of an everyday item into a prototype. By replacing the wooden shelf of the factory trolley with a substantial bevelled glass surface—a homage to the company’s manufacturing heritage—and incorporating smooth-rolling industrial wheels, the wheeled table undergoes a transformative shift in its essence and intended function through the substitution of a single, simple component.

The inclusion of wheels grants effortless mobility to the table, greatly enhancing its functionality. As a result, this innovation introduces the concept of integral mobility into household objects, fundamentally altering the nature, utility, and aesthetic of domestic spaces. Furthermore, the table’s minimalist form and the elegant contrast between the two materials ensure its timeless appeal, making it suitable for any residential setting, impervious to the passage of trends or fashions.

What was once an anonymous industrial design trolley now assumes a prestigious role as a furnishing object, earning a place in the permanent collections of renowned international museums such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. It embodies Gae Aulenti’s distinct counter-current style, offering a lasting testament to her artistic vision.