H_O Desk — Poltrona Frau
Design & Concept
Designed by Claudio Silvestrin, the H_O collection is about refined, timeless presence. The desk is meant to feel elegant yet discreet, combining luxury materials with subtle detailing rather than overt flash.
It comes in versions such as President Desk and Executive Desk, offering different scales to suit senior executive or leadership roles.
Materials & Finishes
The desktop’s upper surface features horizontal slats / joints that highlight craftsmanship. The top is made from poplar plywood together with MDF boards, and then veneered (for wood finishes) or finished in stone (porphyry) in certain versions.
The desk pad (inset working surface) is an MDF panel covered in Cuoio Re-Saddle leather, available in colours such as Tortora (a taupe/beige) or Caffè (a darker brown) tone. Leather may be plain or have a square / chequered tone-on-tone motif (16 × 16 cm pattern) for enhanced texture.
One support side uses a metal leg also upholstered in the matching saddle-leather. The other side is anchored by a porphyry column; either White porphyry (lighter version) or Valcamonica porphyry (rich brown / red tones) depending on the “light” or “dark” version of the desk.
Other finishes: wood veneer used is Canaletto walnut. Optional modesty panel is available, covered in matching saddle-leather. Drawer unit structure uses poplar plywood with veneer.
Key Features & Functionality
Asymmetric layout: leather-upholstered leg on one side, and the porphyry column / stone support on the other. This gives both visual balance and expressive contrast.
Drawer unit is movable (can be placed right or left according to user or room layout), always on the same side as the stone column. The unit includes a drawer + filing drawer or compartment with door.
Cable management: There is an opening along the top, near the column, for passage of electric cables. Optional modesty panel helps with concealment and refined appearance.
Aesthetic & Experience
The design communicates gravitas, solidity, and prestige—stone column, leather, wood, and rich textures combine to create an executive presence. It’s not minimalist in the sense of spartan, but minimalist in the sense of carefully curated luxury.
The contrast between working surfaces in leather and wood, the tactile richness of saddle-leather, and the unusual stone column make H_O a statement piece—drawing attention, yet in a composed, measured way.
Positioning & Suitability
Ideal for senior leadership offices or private executive suites, where the desk is seen by clients and visitors.
Because of its craftsmanship, material quality, and finishes, it suits spaces designed with high luxury—wood panelling, quality flooring, lighting—to match its presence.
Also useful for those who want a distinguished desk that balances form and function—storage, cable management, functional surfaces all provided in addition to strong aesthetic appeal.