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Tense. Ten years
The product's name readily reveals two of its qualities:
one is purely architectural whereas the other is rather
ethereal. Both of them, intrinsically connected,
are the expression of its design. In designing Tense for
MDF Italia in 2009, Piergiorgio and Michele Cazzaniga
operated the semantic reduction of a table to its very
archetype: 4 vertical legs and 1 top. The designers
explain how Tense intended to overcome the methods
employed so far to maintain unaltered the structural
characteristics of the product regardless of its size and
scale. The main purpose was to reach an extremely
large top surface. The top is the result of a painstaking
research and several experimentations; it conceals a
highly sophisticated core that leverages internal tension
to reach a large size while preserving maximum stability
with a minimal thickness of 35 mm. Form and function
are the identity converge in this object. Its exact and
absolute design enables Tense to accommodate very
different shapes and presences, and generate creative
tension from the unexpected relationships with its
surroundings. Tense can adapt to any potential use, it
hangs in between the memories of something that has
already been experienced and the imagination of
whatever may happen next.
In 2016 the project developed into "Tense Material"
by introducing new material finishings that stress
the sensorial traits of the environment where it stands.
The original characteristics of raw materials are kept
unchanged, thus allowing possible visual and tactile
deviations on its surface, marks of the material's authen-
ticity and witness of the craft that makes the product
unique.
tense1 /tens/ adj Stretched tightly: a tense wire.
From tension /'tɛnʃ(ə)n/ n The state of being stretched tight
or the extent to which something is stretched tight:
The tension of a string, cable, etc is how much it is being
stretched. Adjust the tension of a violin string.
Some of them are purely natural, intense and warm
finishings, like natural oak, national walnut or
carbonised oak, achieved by the wood's tannins
reacting and producing a natural burning that
generates a carbonised effect on the surface.
Such noble materials require the care of expert crafts-
men: the rigor of brass is softened by superficial
brushing, a blend of natural and industrial materials
can artificially reproduce the sedimentation process
of sandstones in a river, and marble dust powder is
skillfully mixed to a binder and manually spread all over
the surface.
In 2018 processes combining highly sophisticated
materials and artistic work have given rise to Tense
Intarsia with its dark marble dust powder surface entirely
crossed by an irregular and rhythmic composition
of contrasting lines.
Today in 2019 the experimental nature of research on
materials is at the foundation of Tense Diamond, the
innovative finishing obtained through a two-step manu-
facturing process and layering based on a specific,
hand spread, colored cement resin. The combination
of the rough surface with the superficial polyester
finishing on multiple layers generates an original
magnifying glass effect that enhances the red color
and its depth. The inspiration of Chinese lacquer is
coupled with large surfaces and the original concept
is overcome by a significant and innovative glossy
final result. This is the story so far: Tense is available
in 5 heights,12 finishings, 36 sizes and over 1'500 possi-
ble combinations.1 thickness.