Trolley Versátil, 1976

 

with Lluís Clotet

Producer: BD Barcelona Design and Zanotta

(Out of production)

In the collection of Museu de les Arts Decoratives, Barcelona

This television trolley was designed for OTB's parents' house. At that time, there were not yet special supports or tables for the television set, it was simply placed on a shelf, console or other type of table which also served as magazine holders. The Versátil was one of the first specifically designed television set supports in the world. The basic idea was simple and minimalist: put four legs on a television set.

    But there was more, this piece was to be multi-use: wheels so it could be taken to the bedroom, adaptable height so that you could watch TV from the dining room table or from the floor (remember they were the hippy years), adaptable to different models, a range of accessories...

    Hence, the name, Versátil, which the passing of time has shown to be a well deserved one: when video recorders appeared, a special hanging shelf was incorporated; it has also been adapted for use as a drinks trolley, magazine holder, computer and printer trolley, hi-fi centre, etc. The system was widely copied and served to inspire a number of other designs both in Spain and abroad.