Michael Anastassiades designs Ordinal, a 1st project for Cassina. “Each leg is positioned on to the four corners of the table, marking the cardinal extents of the top. The 45° orientation of the legs are used to maximise strength while its geometry brings focus to the table's edge. An illusion is created through this relationship, which varies based on the viewing angle. The leg can appear simultaneously slender and yet monolithic. Principally made from aluminium, the leg's materiality and finish vary to accentuate this interplay through colour and contrast.” Michael Anastassiades. Ordinal is a sculptural set of contemporary dining tables that unites Michael Anastassiades trademark metal work with Cassina’s carpentry craftsmanship. Its solid natural wood, veneer or lacquered top warmly contrasts with its sleek legs, in aluminium or also wood, which are set at a diagonal right at the limit of the structure. It all started during a meeting between Michael Anastassiades and Cassina in 2010: here a first challenge was launched to work on a bold project together. After a period of time getting to know each other, Ordinal was born. The project began with a 240cm long rectangular table with a solid wood top, an innovative challenge for the Cassina Research and Development Centre who had to find a solution to ensure strength and stability without sacrificing its design. After researching numerous techniques, a metal mechanism was invisibly inserted inside the wood to support this large top while maintaining its sleek look. An ample selection of shapes (oval, square and rectangular shapes) in various sizes has also been developed in wood veneer. Materials: solid oak top Canaletto walnut, natural oak, stained black oak veneer solid wood legs in the same finish as the wooden top or aluminium painted gun metal, anthracite or gold, or anodised black or burgundy.