Prostoria’s Revisiting Richter collection introduces a series of furniture pieces developed from Croatian modernist architect Vjenceslav Richter’s unrealised work. Presented at Salone del Mobile 2026, the project translates Richter’s archival sketches, prototypes, and conceptual studies into contemporary production pieces for the first time. The collection includes five series spanning around 20 designs, each grounded in Richter’s geometric systems and structured approach to form.
Rather than reproducing historic objects directly, Prostoria’s team refines proportions, ergonomics, and construction to adapt Richter’s concepts for current use while maintaining their original logic. A key example is Richter’s VR61 chair, initially conceived for a 1961 exhibition and now developed into a fully realised product. The presentation is staged within a geometric exhibition structure that incorporates projected archival material.
Image Credit: Prostoria
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Archive-led Design Revival
- Reinterpretation of archival sketches into production pieces creates a new design paradigm that fuses historical authorship with contemporary manufacturing logic.
- Geometric Systems Reinterpretation
- Applying Richter’s modular geometric systems to modern product lines reveals opportunities for cohesive, scalable collections that maintain a strong visual identity.
- Heritage Ergonomics Adaptation
- Refining proportions and ergonomics of midcentury concepts for present-day users highlights potential for heritage-inspired products that meet contemporary comfort and usability standards.
Sectors Adopting This
- Furniture Manufacturing
- Translating archival prototypes into manufacturable designs opens avenues for premium limited-edition runs and updated production processes rooted in historical narratives.
- Exhibition and Experience Design
- Staging archival material within immersive geometric environments demonstrates potential for curated brand activations that blend storytelling with product demonstration.
- Cultural Institutions and Licensing
- Partnerships between designers and archives create commercial frameworks where intellectual heritage is monetized through authorized reinterpretations for contemporary markets.
