Franz Romero for De Sede

FRANZ ROMERO (Switzerland, 1951).
Bugatti chair from De Sede sofa, DS-57.
The armchair is designed in the 1980’s. This armchair has become an icon of Art Deco design, inspired by the streamlined contours of the classic 1936 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic car. Upholstery in racing green leather.
Some signs of wear and patina.
Produced by De Sede, Switzerland.
Measurements: 69 x 90 x 100, seat height 37 cm.

Conceived by Swiss architect and designer Franz Romero in the 1980s, the DS-57 armchair—known as the Bugatti Chair—is one of his most recognizable designs for the prestigious Swiss manufacturer De Sede. Its powerful silhouette draws inspiration from the aerodynamic forms of the legendary 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, bringing the elegance, dynamism, and sweeping curves characteristic of the classic car’s bodywork into the realm of furniture. The design is characterized by generous, continuous volumes: the wide armrests curve outward, while the sloping backrest and low seat emphasize its comfortable and sculptural character. The green racing leather, closely associated with the imagery of classic motorsports, reinforces the dialogue between furniture design and automotive culture in this piece. The quality of the leather and the meticulous craftsmanship reflect the artisanal tradition of De Sede, a firm internationally renowned for its leather-upholstered furniture.

Franz Romero is a Swiss architect and furniture designer who trained at the Technikum Winterthur and ETH Zürich, and continued his studies in New York. In the early 1980s, he applied his architectural training to furniture design, which he viewed as a form of “micro-architecture” in which structure, ergonomics, and materials take on special importance. His most renowned creation is the DS-57 armchair, designed around 1985 for the Swiss firm De Sede and in production since 1986. Also known as the “Bugatti Chair,” its aerodynamic and sculptural profile is inspired by the 1930s Bugatti Atlantic automobile and combines a striking formal expressiveness with De Sede’s traditional leather craftsmanship. At the same time, Romero built an outstanding career as an architect, receiving various awards, including a Brunel Award in 1992 for a project related to the Swiss railways.