Trapèze
Made by Vitra
Designed by Jean Prouvé
Jean Prouvé conceived the Trapèze in the early 1950s for the Cité Universitaire in Antony, outside Paris. The commission demanded furniture that could hold its own within an architectural context, and Prouvé answered with a table that reads as a small building in its own right.
The name comes directly from the form: trapezoidal legs bent from sheet steel, the same industrial vocabulary Prouvé applied to his prefabricated houses and school buildings of the same era. Structure is never concealed here. It is the point.
- Legs formed from powder-coated bent sheet steel
- Solid tabletop in high-pressure laminate with a matte black surface
- Thick, beveled edges that give the top a sculptural weight
- Proportions drawn from the original Cité Universitaire commission
Vitra has produced the Trapèze in close dialogue with the Prouvé estate, preserving the dimensional integrity of the original while meeting contemporary production standards. The result is a piece that carries the full authority of its postwar origins.
Typically ships in 12-14 weeks.
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Trapèze
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Shipping & Returns
Please refer to our shipping and return & exchange policy.
Warranty
Luminaire is an authorized retailer of Vitra. The product comes with a full manufacturer warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the original context for the Trapèze Table?
Jean Prouvé designed the Trapèze in the early 1950s for student housing at the Cité Universitaire in Antony, near Paris. The commission required furniture scaled and structured to complement Prouvé's own architectural sensibility, resulting in a table where the steel base functions almost as a load-bearing frame.
Why are the legs called trapezoidal?
The legs are formed from flat sheet steel bent into a trapezoidal profile, wider at the floor and narrowing toward the tabletop. This geometry distributes lateral forces efficiently while giving the table its immediately recognizable silhouette.
How does Vitra's production relate to Prouvé's originals?
Vitra developed the Trapèze in collaboration with the Prouvé estate, working from original drawings to maintain the proportions and material logic of the 1950s prototypes. Production uses powder-coated steel and high-pressure laminate that reflect the industrial honesty of Prouvé's practice.
Is the Trapèze suitable for use as an office desk?
The table's original function was communal and work-oriented, so its proportions translate well to both office and residential settings. The laminate surface is durable and resistant to everyday wear, consistent with Prouvé's belief that well-designed objects should serve without demanding care.
What is the lead time for the Vitra Trapèze Table?
The Trapèze is produced to order, and lead times can vary depending on configuration and current production schedules. Consulting directly with a design specialist is the most reliable way to confirm timing for a specific project.
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