The Scaleo folding ladder, designed in 1974 by Roberto Lucci and Paolo Orlandini for Velca, remains a hallmark of functional elegance. Constructed with ABS polymer and aluminum, it collapses to just 132 × 20 × 8 cm, transforming from a practical tool into a sleek sculptural object. Awarded a place in MoMA’s permanent collection, its minimalist proportions anticipated modern demands for compact living and thoughtful materiality.
Over nearly fifty years, the Scaleo folding ladder continues to influence contemporary designers. Its clean lines, intuitive folding mechanism, and smart use of lightweight materials like Cycolac mirror current trends in sustainable, space-saving furniture. As urban interiors embrace compact form without sacrificing aesthetics, the Scaleo stands as enduring proof that wise design transcends time and still inspires modern innovation today
Image Credit: Roberto Lucci and Paolo Orlandini