Skip to main content
Luisa Chair
Iconic Designs

Luisa Chair

About the Design

After working for approximately 15 years through several prototypes of the design (one of which was manufactured by Knoll in the late 1940s), the Italian designer, architect and urban planner Franco Albini (1905–77) finished what is considered to be a masterpiece: the Luisa chair. The dignified armchair is upholstered in warm red fabric and named after Luisa Colombini, Albini’s personal assistant and secretary of two decades. Lightweight and initially available in teak, mahogany and beech, the definitive version of the Luisa chair was put into production by Poggi in 1955.

The Luisa is often compared to the similarly minimal and sturdy Leggera chair conceived by like-minded rationalist architect and designer Giò Ponti, under whom Albini apprenticed after receiving his degree in architecture from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1929.

Not unlike Ponti’s work, Albini’s designs often merged traditional Italian craftsmanship with the modernist flourishes that had occupied Italian rationalists. It was this blend of functionalism and style that earned Albini numerous awards, including several Compasso d’Oro prizes, a prestigious Italian award for excellence in industrial design. His first Compasso d’Oro was for the Luisa chair, which is part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and is still manufactured by Cassina.

Luisa Chair

to
8
3
11
8
2
2
1
Franco Albini for Poggi Midcentury Italian Luisa Chairs, Set of 7
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Countryside, IL
Franco Albini for Poggi midcentury Italian Luisa chairs - Set of 7 Each chair measures: 22 wide x 21 deep x 30.5 inches high, with a seat height of 18 and arm height/chair clearan...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Set di 4 sedie Luisa e 2 Luisella
By Franco Albini
Located in Milano, IT
Luisa is a chair with armrests with a sober and minimalist design, the result of a 15-year research path that saw Franco Albini focus on fine-tuning an archetype in which the essenti...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Wood

Franco Albini Luisa Dining Chairs for Poggi, set of 6, Italy, 1950's
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in New York, NY
Luisa dining chairs by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950's This set of iconic minimalist Luisa chairs retains their original green wool upholstery and patina. They have not been...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wool, Walnut

Pair of Rosewood Chairs "Luisa" by Franco Albini, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of Rosewood Chairs is an original design furniture realized in the 1950s. Original Velvet Upholstery chairs. In the style of Franco ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Chairs

Materials

Wood, Velvet

Early Franco Albini Pair of Oak "Luisa"/ N°48 Dining Chair by Knoll, ca. 1949
By Franco Albini
Located in Geneva, CH
Early pair of black naugahyde and oak N°48 chair by Franco Albini produced by Knoll between 1948 and 1952. Good condition, 2 little damages on corners of the seat cushion ( picture ...
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Naugahyde, Oak

Set of Six "Luisa” Chairs by Franco Albini for Poggi
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Rovereta, SM
A set of six "Luisa" chairs designed by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950. Beautifully reupholstered in pale rose color. Excellent condition. Prix "Compaso d'oro(1955). Weight eac...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Nutwood

Franco Albini Luisa Chair for Cassina, Italy, 2022
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Chair designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2013. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. The price given applies to the chair as seen in the first picture.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood, Fabric

Rare No. 48 Armchair by Knoll International
By Franco Albini
Located in Munich, DE
Designed by Franco Albini and made by Knoll International.
Category

Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Set of Six "Luisa” Chairs by Franco Albini for Poggi
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Madrid, ES
A set of six "Luisa" chairs designed by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950. Beautifully reupholstered in pale rose color. Excellent condition. Prix "Compaso d'oro(1955).Weight eac...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood, Fabric

Franco Albini, Two First Edition Luisa Chairs, Poggi, Italy 1955 Ca
By Franco Albini
Located in Argelato, BO
Set of two Luisa chairs in their very first version, the one made by Franco Albini for the Italian company Poggi (and not the Cassina re-edition). Luisa is a timeless piece, fruit of...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set of 4, Cassina “Luisa” Dining Chairs Black Leather
By Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
SET OF 4 Chair designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2013. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Each chair is signed with Cassina stamp. Floating back seat, similar to Pier...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather

Set of 6 Luisa Chairs by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Carpaneto Piacentino, Italy
Set of six Luisa chairs with a wooden structure upholstered in red fabric, designed by Franco Albini manufactured by Poggi Pavia, c. 1950. Luisa chair won the Compasso d'oro ADI in...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Related Items
Franco Albini Luisa Chair, American Walnut and Fabric by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Luisa chair designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2013. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. The small armchair, dubbed Luisa, is the fruit of a fifteen-year process of...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Franco Albini Luisa Chair, American Walnut and Fabric by Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Luisa chair designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2013. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. The small armchair, dubbed Luisa, is the fruit of a fifteen-year process of exploration, focused on creating an archetype of the basic elements of a chair, and its potential uses within the home. A idea-based design, where Franco Albini expressed the concept of “substance in form”, increasing the volume of the wooden parts where they join with others. Following various enhancements, the definitive version of the chair was awarded the prestigious Compasso D’Oro prize by the Italian Industrial Design Association (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale/ADI). The frame represents a synthesis where the seat and the back are two geometric planes suspended on an understated wood structure, the sides reminiscent of trestles. Luisa is a timeless piece, the outcome of skill, both in terms of technique and of materials. This world exclusive Cassina re-issue, has been made possible thanks to the company’s extraordinary wood...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

2 Sedie Kohn Wien, Anni 20
By J.&J. Khon 1
Located in Felino, PR
coppia di sedia Khon Wien anni 20. originali in tutte le loro parti. particolare tipo di sedia con schienale in paglia di vienna. impagliata a mano...
Category

Antique 1820s Italian Art Deco Chairs

Materials

Wicker, Wood

  • 2 Sedie Kohn Wien, Anni 20
  • 2 Sedie Kohn Wien, Anni 20
  • 2 Sedie Kohn Wien, Anni 20
  • 2 Sedie Kohn Wien, Anni 20
H 36.23 in. W 17.33 in. D 22.45 in.
Franco Albini Luisa Chair, Wood and Fabric by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2013. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. The small armchair, dubbed Luisa, is the fruit of a fifteen-year process of exploration, focused on creating an archetype of the basic elements of a chair, and its potential uses within the home. A idea-based design, where Franco Albini expressed the concept of “substance in form”, increasing the volume of the wooden parts where they join with others. Following various enhancements, the definitive version of the chair was awarded the prestigious Compasso D’Oro prize by the Italian Industrial Design Association (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale/ADI). The frame represents a synthesis where the seat and the back are two geometric planes suspended on an understated wood structure, the sides reminiscent of trestles. Luisa is a timeless piece, the outcome of skill, both in terms of technique and of materials. This world exclusive Cassina re-issue, has been made possible thanks to the company’s extraordinary...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

PL19 or Tre Pezzi Armchair by Franco Albini in White Mongolian Wool, Poggi
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Borgo A Buggiano, Toscana
FRANCO ALBINI (Robbiate, 1905 - Milano, 1977) PL19, also known as "Tre Pezzi" Armchair Black enameled steel tube structure, upholstered in white Mongolian goat wool. Manufactured...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Franco Albini Style Reddish Stained Bamboo Lounge Chair
By Rohe Noordwolde, Franco Albini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Franco Albini Style reddish stained bamboo lounge chair. In original condition with visible wear, consistent with its age and use. Other similar lounge chairs available and listed se...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Bamboo

Coppia Di Sedie in Teak
Located in Roncadelle, BS
Original vintage 1960s chairs. These elegant, minimalist chairs feature metal legs and a seat with a contoured teak back. The curvy lines and golden color of the teak make them ...
Category

Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Teak

  • Coppia Di Sedie in Teak
  • Coppia Di Sedie in Teak
  • Coppia Di Sedie in Teak
  • Coppia Di Sedie in Teak
H 29.93 in. W 16.15 in. D 18.51 in.
3 sedie in stile Luigi Filippo '800
Located in Felino, PR
3 sedie in stile Luigi filippo '800. struttura in legno sana e robusta. rivestimento in tessuto da ripulire. le sedie si vendono barn find, come in foto.
Category

Antique Early 19th Century European Louis Philippe Chairs

Materials

Wood

  • 3 sedie in stile Luigi Filippo '800
  • 3 sedie in stile Luigi Filippo '800
  • 3 sedie in stile Luigi Filippo '800
  • 3 sedie in stile Luigi Filippo '800
H 36.62 in. W 17.72 in. D 18.51 in.
2 sedie in stile Luigi filippo '800
Located in Felino, PR
2 sedie in stile Luigi filippo '800. struttura in legno sana e robusta. rivestimento seduta in tessuto da ripulire. le sedie si vendono barn find, com...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century European Louis Philippe Chairs

Materials

Wood

  • 2 sedie in stile Luigi filippo '800
  • 2 sedie in stile Luigi filippo '800
  • 2 sedie in stile Luigi filippo '800
  • 2 sedie in stile Luigi filippo '800
H 38.98 in. W 18.51 in. D 19.69 in.
Set of Two Franco Albini Luisa Chairs, Wood and Fabric by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2013. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. The small armchair, dubbed Luisa, is the fruit of a fifteen-year process of exploration, focused on creating an archetype of the basic elements of a chair, and its potential uses within the home. A idea-based design, where Franco Albini expressed the concept of “substance in form”, increasing the volume of the wooden parts where they join with others. Following various enhancements, the definitive version of the chair was awarded the prestigious Compasso D’Oro prize by the Italian Industrial Design Association (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale/ADI). The frame represents a synthesis where the seat and the back are two geometric planes suspended on an understated wood structure, the sides reminiscent of trestles. Luisa is a timeless piece, the outcome of skill, both in terms of technique and of materials. This world exclusive Cassina re-issue, has been made possible thanks to the company’s extraordinary...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Franco Albini Lounge chair, Knoll, 1952
By Knoll, Franco Albini
Located in Chicago, IL
Franco Albini lounge chair produced by Knoll. Frame has been refinished, original upholstery is in excellent shape.
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Maple

  • Franco Albini Lounge chair, Knoll, 1952
  • Franco Albini Lounge chair, Knoll, 1952
  • Franco Albini Lounge chair, Knoll, 1952
  • Franco Albini Lounge chair, Knoll, 1952
H 30 in. W 25.98 in. D 26 in.
Pair of Luisa Chairs by Franco Albini
Located in San Francisco, CA
Two rosewood Luisa chairs with seats and backs upholstered in a patinated and weathered leather. These examples are the versions for Poggi, rather than the reissued Cassina versio...
Category

Vintage 1950s Chairs

Materials

Brass

  • Pair of Luisa Chairs by Franco Albini
  • Pair of Luisa Chairs by Franco Albini
  • Pair of Luisa Chairs by Franco Albini
  • Pair of Luisa Chairs by Franco Albini
H 35.5 in. W 21.75 in. D 21.75 in.
Previously Available Items
Franco Albini, Two First Edition Luisa Chairs, Poggi, Italy 1955 Ca
By Franco Albini
Located in Argelato, BO
Set of two Luisa chairs in their very first version, the one made by Franco Albini for the Italian company Poggi (and not the Cassina re-edition). Luisa is a timeless piece, fruit of...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set of 2 Luisa, Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in Milano, IT
These two Luisa are in perfect condition, we reupholstered them both with qualified artisans here in Italy.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

  • Set of 2 Luisa, Franco Albini
  • Set of 2 Luisa, Franco Albini
  • Set of 2 Luisa, Franco Albini
  • Set of 2 Luisa, Franco Albini
H 76 in. W 56 in. D 60 in.
Franco Albini 9 Chairs Model Luisa in Black Leather, Prod. Poggi, 1955
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Milan, IT
Set of nine famous and amazing solid wood and fabric chairs armchair model Luisa designed by Italian designer Franco Albini and produced by Poggi. Golden compass award 1955.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Franco Albini Set of Six Red Luisa Armchairs Poggi Pavia, 1955
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Montecatini Terme, IT
Set of six Luisa chairs with a wooden structure upholstered in red fabric, designed by Franco Albini and produced by Poggi Pavia, Italy. Licterature: B...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Fabric

'Luisa' Armchairs by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage 'Luisa' armchairs designed by Franco Albini, Cassina edition. Ebonized wood frame with original textured brown wool upholstery. 2 available, sold individually.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

  • 'Luisa' Armchairs by Franco Albini
  • 'Luisa' Armchairs by Franco Albini
  • 'Luisa' Armchairs by Franco Albini
  • 'Luisa' Armchairs by Franco Albini
H 30.25 in. W 22 in. D 21.75 in.
Set of 10 Luisa Chairs by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in Carpaneto Piacentino, Italy
Extraordinary set of 10 chairs Luisa, designed by Franco Albini in 1955. Newly reupholstered in red fabric.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

  • Set of 10 Luisa Chairs by Franco Albini
  • Set of 10 Luisa Chairs by Franco Albini
  • Set of 10 Luisa Chairs by Franco Albini
  • Set of 10 Luisa Chairs by Franco Albini
H 30.32 in. W 22.05 in. D 19.69 in.
Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini 'Luisa' Chairs, Circa 1955
By Franco Albini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini 'Luisa' Chairs, Circa 1955
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

F. Albini for Poggi, "TL3" Mod. Wood Table and Set of 4 "Luisa" Chair, Italy
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Palermo, IT
Excellent square table mod. TL3 by Franco Albini for Poggi Pavia, in 1951, with a set of four armchair mod. "Luisa" by Franco Albini for Poggi, Pavia, in 50s. Table: Structure in s...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Metal

Franco Albini Dining Chairs
By Franco Albini
Located in San Francisco, CA
Franco Albini designed dining chairs for Herman Miller. Adjustable backs, maple frames in very good original condition. Reduced in price from list $8800.00 to net $5,800.00.
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

  • Franco Albini Dining Chairs
  • Franco Albini Dining Chairs
  • Franco Albini Dining Chairs
  • Franco Albini Dining Chairs
H 30 in. W 22 in. L 30 in.
Franco Albini Luisa and Luisella Dining Chairs
By Franco Albini
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy. A set of two Luisa and four Luisella dining chairs, all professionally reupholstered in Supersoft Nubuck leather. Armchairs feature the wonderful “knu...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

  • Franco Albini Luisa and Luisella Dining Chairs
  • Franco Albini Luisa and Luisella Dining Chairs
  • Franco Albini Luisa and Luisella Dining Chairs
  • Franco Albini Luisa and Luisella Dining Chairs
H 30.32 in. W 21.66 in. D 21.66 in.
Franco Albini Luisa Chairs
By Franco Albini
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Franco Albini Luisa chairs, Poggi, Italy, circa 1955. Beautifully reupholstered in super soft cream nubuck, contrasts beautifully with the dark ...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

  • Franco Albini Luisa Chairs
  • Franco Albini Luisa Chairs
  • Franco Albini Luisa Chairs
  • Franco Albini Luisa Chairs
H 30.32 in. W 21.66 in. D 21.66 in.
More Franco Albini Designs
Luisa Chair
Luisa Chair
Average Price
$8,802
Number Available
10
Luisa Chair
Materials
Wood, Fabric
Styles
Mid Century Modern
After working for approximately 15 years through several prototypes of the design (one of which was manufactured by Knoll in the late 1940s), the Italian designer, architect and urban planner Franco Albini (1905–77) finished what is considered to be a masterpiece: the Luisa chair. The dignified armchair is upholstered in warm red fabric and named after Luisa Colombini, Albini’s personal assistant and secretary of two decades. Lightweight and initially available in teak, mahogany and beech, th...
Shop All
Franco Albini Lb7
Franco Albini Lb7
Average Price
$17,553
Number Available
6
Franco Albini Lb7
Materials
Wood, Metal, Rosewood
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Shop All
Franco Albini Rocking Chaise
Franco Albini Rocking Chaise
Average Price
$34,371
Number Available
4
Franco Albini Rocking Chaise
Materials
Fabric, Hardwood, Wood, Canvas, Teak, Wool
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Shop All
Franco Albini Fiorenza Chair
Franco Albini Fiorenza Chair
Average Price
$8,689
Number Available
4
Franco Albini Fiorenza Chair
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Shop All