Arca: A Floating Monolith of Design Excellence

Giuliano Ricciardi's Award-Winning Sideboard Marries Precision and Craftsmanship

The Arca sideboard, with its solid oak reticle housing three large full-extension drawers, stands out in its design and functionality. The top, made of extralight thermoformed glass, mimics the fluidity of water, offering small compartments that can be filled with various decorations or used as a pocket emptier. The methacrylate supports suspend the cupboard, emphasizing its ideal float.

Giuliano Ricciardi embarked on the Arca project in October 2015 in Taranto, Italy. The full-scale prototype was completed in June 2016. The most complex challenge during the design process was the handmade thermoforming of the glass top. The glass plate, placed on a shape inside the oven, attains a plastic state due to heat and tends to take the shape of the mold by gravity. After several tests, the right deformation was achieved.

The Arca sideboard is not just a piece of furniture; it is a domestic container designed to guard something important, valuable, and timeless. With its size of 2050 x 600 x 650, the sideboard offers ample storage space. The three large drawers can be equipped according to the intended use, making it a versatile piece of furniture suitable for various needs.

Arca's design is a testament to Ricciardi's ability to fuse form and function seamlessly. The sideboard's minimalist, linear design, combined with the use of oak and glass, results in a piece that is both visually striking and functional. The use of a solid oak reticle and extralight thermoformed glass top gives the sideboard a unique aesthetic that sets it apart from other furniture pieces.

The Arca sideboard, a winner of the prestigious Silver A' Furniture Design Award in 2019, is a testament to Giuliano Ricciardi's design prowess and innovation. The award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. Arca, with its strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcases a remarkable level of excellence and introduces positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.