The reinvention of wood

Modigliana, Emilia Romagna

https://www.alpi.it/

ALPI produces decorative surfaces in composite wood thanks to the invention of a manufacturing process. Industrialised by the Alpi family in the early twentieth century, its purpose was to find an affordable alternative to the market of prized species existing in nature and to produce new, environmentally friendly varieties. ALPI breaks down and reconstructs wood in innumerable essences, finishes and decorations using a highly sophisticated process. The company’s collaboration with designers forms an integral part of its exploration, reinvention and creating of new wood grains. ALPI products are equivalent to a vast deposit, with a gamut of varieties, textures and tones to choose from.

ALPI breaks down and reassembles Poplar, Lime Wood or Ayous, all of rigorously controlled origin. ALPI stands out for its direct control of the entire supply and production chain, from the log to the finished product, through forestry management by means of the chain of custody guarantees the legal and sustainable origin of wood, and total product traceability.

ALPI Sottsass Red, design Ettore Sottsass, ALPIkord. Used for the first time in the Memphis collection presented in the 1980s, the design for this realistic but totally invented wood was created while Sottsass was busy challenging rationalist conventions with brightly coloured objects.

↑ ALPI Sottsass Red, design Ettore Sottsass, ALPIkord. Used for the first time in the Memphis collection presented in the 1980s, the design for this realistic but totally invented wood was created while Sottsass was busy challenging rationalist conventions with brightly coloured objects.

ALPI Pointillisme, re-edition of the product designed  by Alessandro Mendini in 1991. The affecting influences of pointillism are the recognisable signs of Mendini’s poetic approach, like those reproduced in the ALPI wood which retains their dustily intangible character.

↑ ALPI Pointillisme, re-edition of the product designed by Alessandro Mendini in 1991. The affecting influences of pointillism are the recognisable signs of Mendini’s poetic approach, like those reproduced in the ALPI wood which retains their dustily intangible character.

ALPI Gamperana Trip lex, design Martino Gamper, ALPIlignum (250x62 cm), 2020. The texture plays on combinations of geometry, natural tones and colour contrasts.

↑ ALPI Gamperana Trip lex, design Martino Gamper, ALPIlignum (250x62 cm), 2020. The texture plays on combinations of geometry, natural tones and colour contrasts.

Vittorio Alpi talks about the manufacturing processes

The production process illustrated by Andrea Bozzo. 
Fig.1, dyeing. Fig.2, peeling. Fig.3, dyeing. Fig.4, pressing. Fig.5, slicing.

↑ The production process illustrated by Andrea Bozzo. Fig.1, dyeing. Fig.2, peeling. Fig.3, dyeing. Fig.4, pressing. Fig.5, slicing.

Founded by Pietro Alpi in 1919 at Modigliana, in the province of Forlì, as a small cabinet making workshop, ALPI rapidly evolved in the 1950s into an avant-garde industrial enterprise specializing in the production of prefabricated panels and wooden surfaces.

Courtesy of ALPI Historical Archive.

Courtesy of ALPI Historical Archive.

Courtesy of ALPI Historical Archive.

Courtesy of ALPI Historical Archive.

Courtesy of ALPI. Photo: Gianluca Vassallo

Courtesy of ALPI. Photo: Gianluca Vassallo

Courtesy of ALPI. Photo: Gianluca Vassallo

Courtesy of ALPI. Photo: Gianluca Vassallo

Courtesy of ALPI. Photo: Gianluca Vassallo

Courtesy of ALPI. Photo: Gianluca Vassallo

ALPI. Decorative surfaces of reconstituted wood. Photo Max Rommel

ALPI. Decorative surfaces of reconstituted wood. Photo Max Rommel