LA STORIA
The small triangle in Northern Italy connecting Milan, Turin, and the village of Garessio, might as well be the center of the car design universe. Each being the hometown of a founding father of the wedge-shaped, mid-engine supercar: Leonardo Fioravanti (Milan), Giorgetto Giugiaro (Garessio), and Marcello Gandini (Turin). All were born in 1938, just a few months and only 100 miles apart. The unbridled innovation and postwar optimism in Europe encouraged them to develop their talents, skills, and visions.
They became the founding fathers of the wedge-car design, creating outlandish concepts with the typical triangular silhouettes, gills and scales, twisting planes and scissor doors. Masterpieces like the Alfa Romeo Carabo, the Lancia Stratos Zero, the Ferrari Modulo and the Lamborghini LP 500 Countach would change car design for good, defining the design language DNA for decades to come.
WEDGE SHAPE
The angular wedge shape is the main ingredient for one of the most important and iconic car design languages in history. Sharp lines, triangular geometries, slightly curved planes and repetitive abstract patterns, cut-outs, protrusions and recesses make this radical style instantly recognizable.
GILLS & SCALES
Inspired by the slippery silhouette of sharks and streamlined armadillos provided another useful aerodynamic design cue: the gills and scales. Using those principles enabled designers to create air intakes and outlets without disturbing the silhouette, by segmenting them into smaller slots.
TWISTING PLANES
Arguably the most breathtaking design cue of them all is the twisting side plane. Flowing from front to rear, twisting along its longitudinal axis 30° (and back), yet maintaining the subtle curvature of de desk's edge. An extremely complex shape to create, this rather simple and graceful appearing wave can actually make or break the entire design.
WING DOORS
The lower rooflines, longer planes, and strange angles required radical new solutions for accessibility. Scissor-style doors, hinging canopies, and clamshell bonnets were all the rage in this outlandish new age of car design. Just like the wedge-shaped sports cars, the louver-covered bonnets on our desk both cover a storage compartment instead of an engine.
CARROZZERIA
The craft of coachbuilding has always been regarded by the Italians as a divine form of artisanship.
The Wedged Wonders desk is our interpretation of what makes this design movement that emerged from the famous 'carrozzeria' workshops.
CHASSIS
Metal and composite body panels were graciously draped around steel tubular frames. Just like the wedge-shaped cars of this era, our desks interior is fully upholstered in the quintessential 'Mouse Hair' with the UPIN-plate (Ultimo Parri Identification Number) riveted on its 'sill'.
ENQUIRIES
The Wedged Wonders is a unique bespoke desk, strictly limited to 35 one-off editions. Besides the color, we can adjust multiple variables to your very own requirements. All of the colors, materials and personal details will be carefully composed with each client, to create their personal version of the Wedged Wonders. Each desk is made-to-order, hence we do not keep any stock.
Feel free to contact us for further information and requests.