Whether on the big screen or in Italian homes, Zanotta's Sacco armchair has by now become an iconic piece, able to enter the collective imagination thanks to its comfort, style, and probably also to a playful dimension, understandable only by those who have placed one of these armchairs in their living room and spend time “playing” with its countless shapes, before finding the most comfortable one.
A recognizable design object like few others that was born in the late 1960s from the minds of three Turin architects, fathers of an idea that the Lombard company Zanotta immediately understood the potential.
HOW THE SACCO ARMCHAIR WAS BORN
The right name by which to call it, or at least the original one, would be “Sacco seat”. In fact, this is how in 1968 the Turin architects Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini and Franco Teodoro decided to name that object with a shape similar to that of a pear, which in fact had neither armrests nor backrest that could allow it to resemble an armchair.
Immediately produced by Zanotta, Sacco consisted of six strips of fabric that formed the external structure, joined by stitching to a top and a base, both of which were hexagonal in shape. Inside, then, there was a second lighter bag filled with polystyrene balls.
As explained at the time by the three designers, the idea that inspired them was the fiber bags used by the farmers, combined with an increasing attention to the concept of ergonomics: "We were interested in designing objects as much as possible flexible, that could adapt […] So we began to reflect on the material that would allow this adaptability: like the snow in which one gets thrown and leaves us imprinted on the mold of its body ”.
The debut of the Sacco armchair in front of the public officially took place at the Paris furniture fair in 1969: from that moment on, there was no turning back!
THE FIRST APPEARANCE IN THE CINEMA WITH FANTOZZI
Over the years the fame of the Sacco armchair has also been increased by appearances in advertising and on the big screen: the most famous is that of the film "Fracchia the human beast", during which the protagonist Fracchia (and not Fantozzi, as some recall) played by Paolo Villaggio tries in every way, without succeeding, to find a comfortable position in a Sacco armchair during an interview with his director, who repeatedly invited him to sit down.
HOW TO USE THE ZANOTTA SACCO IN YOUR LIVING
Thanks to its adaptability, a characteristic that is at the origin of its own design, the Sacco armchair lends itself to the most varied uses, which allow it to be the main protagonist of your living room, alternating perhaps with more classic seats to add a touch of originality, which to become a very significant piece of furniture.
Its soft nature, ergonomic and light to move, allows you to use the Sacco armchair to lie down, to stretch your legs in search of greater comfort, or to use it as a support surface or, why not, as a fun pastime for children, who can play by creating and resting on ever-changing shapes.
SACCO ARMCHAIR COVERINGS: COLORS AND FEATURES
Despite a timeless design that is always faithful to itself, the Sacco armchair also leaves room for customization: the available covers include Tulip, Pied de poule, Vip and leather, the first two also removable.
There are also many options regarding the choice of colors: in addition to the textures already mentioned, in fact, the Sacco armchair is also available in solid colors in many different colors, ranging from black, suitable for example for industrial chic environments, up to brighter shades colors such as red, yellow and orange, passing through more neutral or cold colors such as blue, gray and white.