Tulu

A symbol of avant-garde construction ideas and experimentation, Tulu is a stackable sled-base chair designed in 1968 by Kazuhide Takahama on commission from Dino Gavina’s Simon company, which was acquired by Cassina in 2013, and is now known as Simon International. The Tulu chair offers an early example where, rather than bending a metal tube to make the frame, a thin rod was electric induction-welded before being given a chrome finish. This innovation made tighter curves possible, while leading to the use of multiple welding heads, enabling a piece to be made in one single process. When Simon International became part of the Cassina universe, the Tulu’s manufacturing process was revisited, and streamlined further. The seat and back have now been reinforced by the addition of elastic straps, while the padded cover was given a zip fastening, so it can be removed for cleaning. This chair has now been completely redeveloped and further improved by reinforcing the seat with a thermoformed seat and backrest with elastic straps, as well as inserting a wadding cover and zip that allows the upholstery to be removed.