FLY chair by Marco Acerbis: It’s pretty, useful

The versatility, convenience, and affordability of monobloc plastic chairs cannot be disputed. That’s why you can see them almost everywhere: in homes, at public functions, and especially in dining establishments: cafes, bistros, restaurants, bars. But there’s also no denying that these generic-looking plastic chairs aren’t that pleasing to the eye. Contemporary bistro furniture and the like shouldn’t just be functional; they should be visually aesthetic too.

The FLY chair, designed by Bergamo, Italy-based Marco Acerbis is one example of a piece of furniture that combines both traits. Manufactured from gas vacuum molded plastic, its light and airy look belies its strength and durability. I like how the chair’s curves aren’t monotonous. Making it more visually appealing is the way the glossy finish of the seat and back contrasts with and yet complements the matte finish of the legs and the rest of the chair. The FLY chair measures 80 cm high, 54 cm wide, and with a seat height of 47 cm. And just like your average monobloc chairs, it’s very versatile too because of its light weight and stackability. It’s just as space-saving and convenient as run-of-the-mill monoblocs, only much better looking. I can see them being used as bistro café chairs or as furniture in other casual settings that don’t want a cheap, generic look when it comes to their chairs.

The designer, Marco Acerbis, was born in Bergamo and educated at Milan Polytechnic. He created the FLY chair for Alias. His other designs, such as his shelves called ‘Standing’ and a lamp called ‘Vertigo,’ have won him awards. His company in Bergamo, called Marco Acerbis Studios, designs furniture and furnishings for companies like Colombo Design and Morphos.