Compression

Design

Compression is a rectangular dining table with a clear, architectural presence. Philippe Starck keeps the lines clean and the structure visible, so the table reads light from a distance yet feels deliberate up close. The transparent top and the transparent base let the room show through, while the central oak beam becomes the visual anchor.

There’s a quiet tension in the way the parts meet. The glass base sheets are pierced with inclined, edged openings, and the beam passes straight through them. And because the construction is on display, every junction feels intentional rather than hidden.

Materials & Build

The top is made from 0.75-inch transparent glass, paired with a 0.95-inch tempered transparent glass base. A single thick wooden beam in solid oak unites and supports the base sheets. Polished chromed metal wedges lock into the beam through tapered holes, holding the glass firmly and giving the structure its stability.

The oak beam is offered in two natural finishes: deeply brushed and wax finished, or charred through a heat treatment. Polished chromed metal is also used for the feet and the top supports. The overall effect is crisp, with warm wood grain set against glass and chrome.

Comfort at the Table

As a dining table, Compression is designed to feel open around the knees and composed at the center. The support system is concentrated in the base and beam, leaving the perimeter visually clear. But it doesn’t look fragile. The components are thick, and the joinery reads solid without becoming heavy.

The glass top keeps sightlines open, which makes conversation feel a bit more relaxed. And the chromed details add a precise finish without calling for attention every time someone sits down.

Placement & Lifestyle

Glasitalia offers Compression in multiple rectangular sizes, including 86.6, 94.5, and 98.4 inches in length, with widths of 35.4 or 39.4 inches, all at a height of 29.1 inches. These proportions suit both tighter city dining rooms and longer, gallery-like spaces where the table can sit confidently in the center.

It pairs naturally with upholstered dining chairs, but it also works with slimmer frames because the table itself carries a strong structure. Custom made options are available for projects that need a more specific fit.

Longevity

The stability comes from the way the beam, wedges, and glass base sheets lock together. Tempered glass at the base adds reassurance in everyday use, while the oak beam brings a resilient, tactile element that will age with character. The polished chromed metal details keep the look sharp over time, provided they’re treated with the basic care a premium finish deserves.

Compression from glasitalia is built to live with changing interiors. It stays crisp and modern, yet the wood keeps it from feeling cold.