Enzo Mari ’Autoprogettazione?’

In 1974, almost 50 years ago, the italian designer Enzo Mari published in his book ’Autoprogettazione?’. A total of 19 furniture-designs
to do-it-yourself, including the chair ’Sedia Uno’. The design has lost none of its topicality and significance to this day. As a counterdraft to formalism and intended as a democratisation of design, Enzo Mari created a provocative alternative to the capitalist paradigm of mass consumption with the ’Autoprogettazione’ program. Build your own furniture as needed — for everyone. This is the idea and origin of ’Sedia Uno’.

A — E

Material, smooth planed pine wood or any softwood.

Furthermore you will need 38 screws (max. 5x36mm) or 48 nails (max. 38mm).
In case you use screws it will probably be better if you pre-drill (diameter 1.5mm).

1

1x C (470mm) / 1x E (420mm)
3x screws or nails


* Place one leg (E) on top of the first part of the body (C), laterally and top edge flush aligned. — Fasten both parts by 3 screws or nails.

2

add 1x E (420mm)
3x screws or nails


* Place a second leg (E) like you did before but this time aligned on the righthand side. — Fasten the leg (E) on top of the board (C) by 3 screws or nails. 

3

add 1x D (610mm)
3x screws or nails


* Take the first part of the backrest (D) and place it on the board (C) aligned with its bottom and the edge at the top left of the chair leg (E). The aid line of the drawing will help you to find the appropriate angle, the best way is to extend the edge of the leg (E) by placing one of the remaining boards and aligning part D accordingly. — Fasten this part of the backrest (D) by 3 screws or nails.

4

1x C (470mm) / 2x E (420mm)
1x D (610mm)
9x screws or nails

* Create a piece that exactly mirrors the one that you just made, be carefully — step 1 and 2 will be the same but the backrest (D, step 3) must be mounted mirrored.

5

Add 1x B (500mm)
4x screws or 6x nails


* Take the two pieces you made so far and place another part of the body (B) on the front, it might be easier if you rotate the side panels and work from the top down. — Align the front (B) on top and side with the chair legs and fasten the front (B) by 2 screws or 3 nails on each side.

6

Add 1x B (500mm)
4x screws or 6x nails


* Take the last part of the body (B) and place it on the back, it might be help if you flip over the whole chair so you can work from the top down again. Align the back (B) flush with the two chair legs and with an offset of 25mm from the top (see the gap "X" on the image). — Fasten the back (B) by 2 screws or 3 nails on each side.

7

Add 1x B (500mm)
4x screws or 6x nails


* Take the third board (B) which works as a backrest and turn the chair one more time on its back, align the backrest (B) on top and both sides with the two supporting parts (D). — Fasten the backrest (B) by 2 screws or 3 nails on each side.

8

Add 2x A (520mm)
8x screws or 12x nails


* Place the two boards of the seating surface (A) next to each other, flush and centered to the front (B). fasten the seat with 2 screws or 3 nails at each end of the board — don't worry, you've done everything right if the seat protrudes a little at the back.

Enzo Mari ’Autoprogettazione?’

In 1974, almost 50 years ago, the italian designer Enzo Mari published in his book ’Autoprogettazione?’. A total of 19 furniture designs to do-it-yourself, including the chair ’Sedia Uno’. The design has lost none of its topicality and significance to this day. As a counterdraft to formalism and intended as a democratisation of design, Enzo Mari created a provocative alternative to the capitalist paradigm of mass consumption with the ’Autoprogettazione’ program. Build your own furniture as needed — for everyone. This is the idea and origin of ’Sedia Uno’.

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