A bookshelf doesn’t have to be a boring, rectangular piece of furniture that you push against a wall. The Albero proves this by being both a free-standing bookcase and a stunning centerpiece suitable for any room. Produced by Italian furniture maker Poltrona Frau, “albero” translates to “tree” in English, and it’s how the structure appears when you enter a room. The slender frame acts as the trunk with rectangular cubbies that are attached at various heights like branches and leaves.
The Albero has a few helpful features for easy customization in your home. Its extendable base is made of solid Canaletto walnut veneer that swivels 360 degrees and can outfit ceilings up to 11-feet-high. The shelves interlock with the frame which accommodates the 12 veneered fiberboard boxes. Although this structure was intended for use as a bookcase, its modular design has a lot of versatility and can easily display small sculptures rather than books.
Poltrona Frau’s version of the The Albero is a reproduction of an original design by the late Gianfranco Frattini, a furniture designer and architect who worked during the 1950’s. Now that it’s back, a whole new generation is introduced to this unique mid-century bookcase.
Albero product website and Gianfranco Frattini website
via [Knstrct]