Heritage - Oak

1950s – BACKGROUND

Our story begins with Virgilio Pologna, born in 1933, married to Annamaria Martinalli and working with his father-in-law, Giuseppe, in the family’s furniture shop. In 1958 Virgilio and Annamaria’s first child is born: Renato Alberto Pologna.

1958 – THE DEVELOPMENT

Virgilio sets up his first furniture company, which turned immediately into a huge success. Already in the 70s, he began exporting his products to various countries around the world (USA, Canada, Gulf countries …) creating an international, cutting-edge commercial network for companies of that time.

1979 – THE FOUNDATION

Virgilio founds OAK with his children Renato and Antonella, upgrading the quality of the products. OAK immediately focuses on emerging markets, especially Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the entire Gulf area, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan. In the 90s, the opening of the Russian market and the former Soviet Republics offered the opportunity to further broaden the commercial network.

1980 – THE TURNING POINT

Right from the start, OAK begins to realize luxury turnkey projects, maintaining the same manufacturing values of craftsmanship, customization and first class raw materials that have always distinguished its collections.

1995-1997 - THE KREMLIN

OAK is assigned the realization of most of the new furnishings of the Kremlin Palace in Moscow: the prestigious presidential offices, the library, the Catherine Room, the corridors and some meeting rooms.

2001 - THE DEBUT IN DESIGN

OAK creates its first contemporary collection with the help of internationally renowned architects and designers, under the artistic direction of Luca Scacchetti and with the collaboration of Paolo Portoghesi. The “Percorsi” collection blends different cultures, combining the Est and the West, thus meeting the expectations of an increasingly international contemporary taste.

2001

Prima collezione contemporanea Art director Scacchetti, collaborazione con Paolo Portoghesi.

2002 - ETTORE SOTTSASS

In collaboration with Ettore Sottsass, for “Abitare il Tempo” Fair in Verona, OAK realizes the Limited Edition “Who is afraid of the market?” designed by the great master.

“Sono stato invitato dai Signori che organizzano a Verona l’evento che si chiama ‘Abitare il Tempo’ insieme all’industria di mobili che si chiama OAK Design e della quale i Signori Renato Pologna e Roberto Leoni sono rispettivamente titolare e general manager, a partecipare a una mostra ‘fuori commercio’ o come direbbero gli americani ‘Off Abitare il Tempo’. Ringrazio gli organizzatori dell’evento veronese e ringrazio particolarmente i Signori Pologna e Leoni che senza battere ciglio, anzi con molta cortesia, hanno accettato di lavorare con me.”

Ettore Sottsass

2008 - GALLERIA

Galleria by OAK, the most complete classic collection, is born. It showcases 30 years of experience in the production of luxury made in Italy classic furniture. In 2015, the line was enhanced with new products and finishings.

2012 - THE TRADITION GOES ON

The OAK family tradition opens up to Renato’s two children, Viola and Guido Pologna, who start working in the company together with their father.

2017 - LUCA SCACCHETTI

OAK creates and presents the Milano Collection, designed by Luca Scacchetti two years earlier. The collection is a tribute to the creative strength of his city, where the roots of furniture design lie. Luca Scacchetti with his last collection gave life to a design with an unmistakable, elegant and intrinsically poetic signature.

2019 - ITALIAN BEAUTY

The “Italian Beauty” exhibition set up at the A.V. Ščusev Museum of Architecture in Moscow and dedicated to Mario Bellini – promoted by the Milano Triennale, the Italian Embassy in Moscow and the Italian Cultural Institute – becomes the ideal setting to officially present the Canyon and Grand Canyon tables, designed for OAK by the great architect. Mario Bellini commissions architect and friend Dario Curatolo to design the installation.

2019 - THE FIRST FORTY YEARS

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the company’s foundation, OAK chooses the Milan Furniture Fair as a showcase to celebrate three important collaborations: with Mario Bellini, Marco Piva and Dario Curatolo. Three tables, three great architects for three different interpretations. The set-up scene is an authentic architectural reconstruction, where the story of the table becomes a symbol of relationships, dialogue and conviviality.

2021 / 2022 - THE PRESENT

Under Nicola Gallizia’s artistic direction, two new collections – Metronome (designed by Nicola Gallizia) and New York Suite (designed by Marco Piva) – are realized and presented to the public.