Ratio

Design

Ratio is a compact desk by Piero Lissoni, built from a sequence of smoked glass “boxes” that overlap and cantilever with a precise, architectural feel. The geometry is clean, but it doesn’t read cold. Angled joints and sharp edges give it definition, while the open compartments keep it visually light.

The structure is intentionally minimal. Black anodized aluminum connectors sit quietly at the seams, holding the composition together without stealing attention. And a single cylindrical leg in matte black ash supports the top from the side, a calm counterpoint to all that glass.

Materials & build

Each glass element is made in 10 mm tempered smoked glass, glued at 45° for crisp lines and a seamless look. The boxes are fixed to each other with small black anodized aluminum joints, kept as discreet as possible. It’s a technical build, but the result looks effortless.

The top box includes a drawer in solid black-stained ash. It rests and slides on the glass with velvet inserts, so the motion feels controlled instead of harsh. Invisible safety stops are built in to prevent the drawer from falling, which matters when everything around it is so visually weightless.

Everyday comfort

Ratio is made for the simple routines: a laptop, a notebook, a few objects kept within reach. The drawer adds a private spot for the essentials, while the other boxes work as open storage compartments for books, files, or a small display of personal items. It’s the kind of desk that encourages a clear surface without forcing it.

The proportions stay slim. At approximately 45.3 inches long, 15.7 inches deep, and 41.1 inches high, it keeps a refined footprint and a strong vertical presence. But it still feels approachable, not precious.

Placement & lifestyle

This piece suits interiors that appreciate restraint. It can sit in a living space as an elegant work corner, or in a studio where the materials can be seen up close. The smoked glass keeps reflections soft, while the black details sharpen the outline.

Some of the storage boxes are available entirely in smoked glass, and others can be specified with a back panel in colored transparent glass finishes. That small shift changes the mood, from quiet and monochrome to slightly more expressive, without changing the overall structure.

Longevity

Glasitalia builds Ratio around tempered glass and solid ash, chosen for resilience as much as for looks. The anodized joints and the supporting leg are there for stability, and they help the desk feel composed over time. And because the drawer runs on velvet inserts, daily use stays gentle on the materials.

Ratio is not available custom made, which keeps the design focused and consistent. In the right setting, it holds up as a long-term piece: precise, functional, and quietly distinctive, exactly as intended by glasitalia.