Ultralight stems from the desire to explore a new expression of metal, a material that has always represented the design DNA of Desalto. Francesco Rota’s project tackles a precise conceptual challenge: transforming a material typically perceived as structurally solid and visually “heavy” into an object of extreme lightness. The result is a chair that combines technical rigour, formal essentiality and surprising physical lightness. Weighing only 3.4 kg, Ultralight demonstrates how metal can become a tool of synthesis, capable of generating a minimal, precise and at the same time incredibly lightweight structure. A balance between engineering and design that translates Desalto’s manufacturing expertise into an everyday object.

The seat of Ultralight is designed as a technical element that is at the same time strongly identity‑defining. Its structure consists of a tubular steel frame onto which a shaped, two‑tone knitted fabric is applied, completely enveloping the frame. This material, developed to ensure high resistance and long‑term stability, combines structural strength with comfort, naturally adapting to the shape of the seat. The workmanship of the knit—precise and technologically advanced—introduces an innovative material language into the world of metal seating, highlighting Desalto’s pursuit of original technical solutions. As an alternative, Ultralight is available with an integral polyurethane seat, which preserves the formal purity of the project while offering a continuous, compact and durable surface.

The slender proportions of the structure, the precision of the joints and the clarity of the lines generate a presence that is discreet yet distinctive. The project works on the concept of subtraction, eliminating every superfluous element to allow the structural essence of the chair to emerge. The result is an object that appears visually light, almost graphic within the space, where every detail follows a precise constructive logic. Lightness is not only a technical feature but becomes a design value, capable of defining the character of the chair and expressing Desalto’s ongoing exploration of the balance between technology, material and form.