FontanaArte Teso Dining Table, All-Glass Rectangular Table by Renzo Piano, 86.6 in

The FontanaArte Teso table is a long rectangular dining and conference table made almost entirely of glass, for dining rooms, open-plan kitchens, boardrooms and design studios where a large table should not dominate the space. The top and the four legs are laminated float glass; each leg has a groove that holds a slim painted metal tie, the tensioned element that gives the system its name (teso means taut in Italian). At 86.6 in (220 cm) long and 28.7 in (73 cm) high it seats eight comfortably, yet the room behind it stays fully visible.

Quick facts

• Product: Teso table, rectangular glass dining and meeting table
• Brand: FontanaArte, Milan, Italy
• Item number (MPN): F2720TA150TR20
• Type: Dining table, conference table, work table
• Best for: dining rooms, open-plan kitchens, boardrooms, meeting rooms, architecture and design studios, showrooms
• Length: 86.6 in (220 cm)
• Depth: 33.4 in (85 cm)
• Height: 28.7 in (73 cm)
• Top and legs: laminated float glass, transparent
• Structure: painted metal ties set in a groove in each glass leg
• Materials: glass, metal
• Certification: ETL (Intertek) pending
• Designer: Renzo Piano (1985)
• Styles: Modern, Minimalist, Contemporary

FontanaArte lists ETL (Intertek) certification for the Teso table as pending.

Materials and build

Teso uses one material for everything you see. The top and the legs are laminated float glass: two or more layers of flat glass bonded with an interlayer, the type of glass used where safety and stiffness matter, because if it is ever broken the pieces stay bonded to the interlayer rather than falling apart. The legs are cut as glass blades, and a groove along each one carries a painted metal tie that holds the structure in tension.

The result is a table with almost no visual mass: from most angles you see a floating rectangle of glass with a thin line of metal where each leg meets the top.

Size and placement

At 86.6 x 33.4 in (220 x 85 cm), Teso seats six with generous space, or eight with three chairs on each long side and one at each end. As general guidance, allow at least 36 in (91 cm) between the table edge and a wall or sideboard for chairs to pull out, and 42 to 48 in (107 to 122 cm) where people walk behind seated guests. That means a room of roughly 14 x 9.5 ft (4.3 x 2.9 m) or larger.

For lighting, hang a linear pendant or two to three pendants along the length so the bottoms sit about 30 to 36 in (76 to 91 cm) above the glass, and keep the run about 12 in (30 cm) shorter than the table at each end. Glass reflects the fixtures, so diffused glass or fabric shades look calmer than bare bulbs.

Where it works

Dining rooms and open kitchens. In an open plan, a long glass table keeps the kitchen, dining and living zones visually connected instead of blocking the view with a solid top. In a smaller dining room it gives full seating without the weight of a wooden slab.

Boardrooms and meeting rooms. Teso works as an eight-person meeting table that looks architectural rather than corporate, and its glass top suits rooms with a view or a strong floor.

Studios and showrooms. Architecture and design practices use a long glass table for drawings, samples and client presentations; in a showroom it becomes a display surface that does not compete with the products.

Hospitality. A private dining room, a hotel suite or a members' club library table with a recognisable design pedigree.

Style and pairing

Teso is pure Modern and Minimalist: glass, a hairline of metal, nothing else. It suits Contemporary interiors with stone, concrete or pale wood floors and pairs naturally with sculptural chairs, because every chair is seen in full through the top and legs. Try molded wood, leather slings, upholstered shells or classic bentwood. Under it, a large flat-weave or patterned rug stays fully visible. Keep the centrepiece low and simple so the long glass plane reads clearly.

Why choose Teso

• A long dining or meeting table made of laminated float glass, top and legs alike.
• Seats up to eight at 86.6 x 33.4 in (220 x 85 cm).
• Keeps open-plan spaces visually connected.
• Metal ties set into grooves in the legs: a structural detail you can see.
• Renzo Piano's first furniture design, created for FontanaArte in 1985.

Care

Clean the top and legs with a soft microfibre cloth and a mild, non-abrasive glass cleaner sprayed onto the cloth. Wipe the metal ties with a soft dry cloth. Use placemats, trivets and coasters for hot dishes, wet glasses and ceramics, and felt pads under centrepieces. Do not stand on the table or lean heavily on its corners. When repositioning it, lift with enough people to keep the top level; never drag it across the floor.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the FontanaArte Teso table? It is 86.6 in (220 cm) long, 33.4 in (85 cm) deep and 28.7 in (73 cm) high.

How many people does it seat? Six with generous space, or eight with three chairs on each long side and one at each end.

What is it made of? The top and legs are laminated float glass, and painted metal ties sit in a groove in each leg.

Why laminated glass? Laminated glass bonds layers of glass with an interlayer, which makes it stiffer and keeps fragments together if it is ever broken.

Can it be used as a conference table? Yes. At 86.6 in long it suits an eight-person meeting room, boardroom or studio.

What chairs go well with it? Sculptural chairs that look good from every angle, since they are seen through the glass: molded wood, leather, upholstered shells or bentwood.

How much room do I need? Allow about 36 in clearance on every side for chairs, or roughly a 14 x 9.5 ft space.

How high should a pendant hang over it? As a general guide, 30 to 36 in above the tabletop, with a linear fixture or two to three pendants along the length.

Is it certified? FontanaArte lists ETL (Intertek) certification as pending.

Are there matching pieces? Yes. The Teso collection also includes a glass console and a glass bookcase.

Who designed Teso? Renzo Piano, in 1985, as his design debut with FontanaArte.

Trade & project orders

Interior designers, architects and hospitality buyers can join the MetropolitanDecor trade program for trade pricing. We also prepare quotes for multi-unit and project orders; contact us with your quantities.

Please note: Because this item is made to order or specially sourced, it is final sale.