You probably don't think of televisions as having timeless design or believe that they would ever become modern classics. But Brionvega's Alpha TV could change that. With design cues clearly inspired by several classic pieces of modern furniture from the late 1920s, the latest generation tv from Brionvega, the Alpha, may end with a permanent place in design books.
Above right : Eileen Gray's Bibendium Chair, 1925
The Alpha is an LCD TV set with built-in DVD player, characterized by design remniscient of the immortal furniture masterpieces by Le Corbusier, Marcel Breuer, Mies van der Rohe and Eileen Gray.
Above: Mies van der Rohe - Cantilever Armchair (1927)
Brionvega's Alpha is composed of two slender elements joined by a frame of chrome tubing within which the special wirings are pulsing. A choice which is in direct contrast to most LCD tvs and which focuses on a new layout with the capability of containing the space required by electronics and DVD player.
Above: Le Corbusier's Grand Confort Armchair, 1929
Even the remote control has been designed to impress with materials often associated with well-made furniture. In lieu of plastic, the material used is die-cast aluminum, not metallized plastic.
With a 19" screen, it has a display with 1280 x 1024 resolution, 160-degree viewing angles and a contrast ratio of 1200:1. This futuristic piece also comes with a DVD-player built into its unconventional base, a refreshing change from the usual supporting pedestal.
Above right: Eileen Gray's Adjustable Table E 1027, 1927
Above: Brionvega designer Valerio Cometti
Unfortunately, the set does not include a digital tuner and is not yet HD-ready.
Prices run €1950,00 for the 19" without DVD player and €2150,00 for the 19" with dvd player. You can pre-order them now.
Brionvega
If you'd like to know where you can buy the wonderful classic modern furniture by Eileen Gray, Meis van der Rohe, Corbusier and more shown here, check out the stores listed under classic modern furniture in my side bar or try DWR, by clicking on their logo below.
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