Frequently Bought Together
Designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli in 1969, the Plia folding chair is one of the most quietly brilliant pieces of Italian post-war design — a transparent acrylic seat and chrome tubular frame that collapse on a single three-disc hinge to a 2-inch profile. Sold as a single chair for small kitchens, studio apartments, and work-from-home spaces that need one extra seat without one extra footprint.
About Giancarlo Piretti
Giancarlo Piretti (b. 1940) joined Anonima Castelli in Bologna in 1960 and spent two decades reshaping how Italians sat, folded, and stored furniture. The Plia chair, released in 1969, was his breakthrough: a deceptively simple folding chair built around a patented three-disc aluminum hinge that locks the seat, back, and frame on a single pivot. When folded, the whole chair compresses to just over two inches thick.
Plia earned the Compasso d'Oro recognition in 1971 and entered the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Louvre. Piretti went on to design the Plona and the office-staple Vertebra — but Plia, with more than four million units produced, remains his signature work and one of the 20th century's most recognized folding chairs.
Materials & Craftsmanship
Our reproduction is true to Piretti's original specification:
- Seat and backrest: single-piece molded acrylic (PET), shaped for natural lumbar support and offered in solid or transparent colorways.
- Frame: chrome-plated tubular steel (21 mm × 11 mm × 1.8 mm wall), polished to a mirror finish that catches light through the translucent seat.
- Hinge: the signature three-disc pivot — three flat aluminum discs that nest together so the seat, back, and legs collapse along one axis.
- Feet: protective glides to prevent scratching on wood, tile, or polished concrete floors.
The acrylic is solvent-bonded to the frame — nothing to loosen over time. Each chair is inspected for hinge action and finish before shipping.
Specifications
| Format | Single chair |
|---|---|
| Unfolded dimensions | 29.2"H × 18.7"W × 18.8"D (74 × 47 × 48 cm) |
| Folded dimensions | 35.8"H × 21.1"W × 2"D (91 × 54 × 5 cm) |
| Seat height | 17.7" / 45 cm |
| Frame | Chrome-plated tubular steel (21 × 11 × 1.8 mm) |
| Seat & back | Molded PET acrylic |
| Color options | Solid Black / Solid White / Transparent Amber / Clear Acrylic |
| Max load | Approx. 250 lbs (113 kg) |
| Designer | Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli, 1969 |
Care & Assembly
Plia ships flat and fully assembled — there are no screws to tighten and no tools required. Lift the seat panel and the chair unfolds along the three-disc hinge in a single motion; reverse to collapse it back to the 2-inch flat profile.
To care for the acrylic, wipe with a soft microfiber cloth and warm soapy water. Avoid ammonia-based glass cleaners and abrasive sponges — both can cloud the surface, especially on the Clear and Amber variants. The chrome frame cleans with the same cloth and a touch of metal polish for water spots. Keep out of prolonged direct sunlight to preserve color depth on the solid finishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is one chair enough for dining, or do I need a set?
A single Plia works as a primary seat at a studio kitchen table, a desk chair for a small home office, or a folded extra that lives behind a door until guests arrive. For regular two-plus dinners, see the Plia set of 12 listing — but for solo or two-person households, one chair is often the right call.
How thin does it actually fold?
About 2 inches (5 cm) thick when collapsed — slim enough to slide behind a sofa, under a bed, or hang on a closet hook. The folded silhouette is also the reason Plia became a fixture of European conference rooms and Italian apartments in the 1970s.
Will it support an adult comfortably?
Yes. The chrome tubular frame is rated to roughly 250 lbs (113 kg) of dynamic load, and the contoured acrylic seat is shaped for genuine sitting (not just brief perching). The 17.7-inch seat height pairs well with standard 28–30 inch dining and desk surfaces.
How do I clean the transparent acrylic without clouding it?
Use warm water, a drop of mild dish soap, and a soft microfiber cloth — wipe in straight strokes, then dry with a second clean cloth. Avoid ammonia (Windex), alcohol wipes, paper towels, and any abrasive scrubber. For light scratches on the Clear or Amber variants, a dedicated plastic polish like Novus #2 brings the gloss back.
Can I leave it out as a sculptural piece when I'm not using it?
That's the appeal. Unfolded, Plia reads as a transparent silhouette that almost disappears against a window or pops against a colored wall — especially in the Amber and Clear finishes. Many owners use one as a deliberate object: a sculptural accent that happens to seat someone when needed.
Shipping & Returns
Free US shipping (typically arrives within 2 weeks). 30-day free returns. See our shipping policy and refund policy.
| Color |
Solid Black - Plia Folding Chair, Solid White - Plia Chair, Transparent Amber - Plia Chair, Clear - Plia Chair |
|---|
