From a piece of seashell, which has been broken and smoothed by the waves, Patricia Urquiola has designed a collection of seats for both the home and public spaces. As the name suggests, there is a strong Scandinavian influence with references to Arne Jacobsen and the inlets of northern coastlines represented in the long cut-away. Like a natural cycle where the shell is reborn through the effects of time and water, the chair becomes armchair and then stool. Its broken form and abstract concept together become an object of design: smooth lines that support and envelop are picked out in decorative stitching in harmony with the essence of the chair’s structure.
Description
- Swivel armchair in injected flame-retardant polyurethane foam over internal steel frame.
- Square base is steel with powder coat finish.
- Width: 95 cm
- Depth: 80cm
- Height: 102cm
- Seat Height: 46 cm
Inspiration
Perfection in a broken shell
Designer
by Patricia Urquiola, 2002
Patricia Urquiola was born in Oviedo (Spain), and she lives and works in Milan. She studied Architecture at the Technical University of Madrid and at the Polytechnic University of Milan, where she graduated in 1989 under Achille Castiglioni. She was assistant lecturer for Achille Castiglioni; she worked with Vico Magistretti; and she was also Head of Design for Lissoni Associati. In 2001 she opened her own studio, working in the fields of product design, interiors and architecture. Her most recent designs include: The “Museo del Gioiello” jewellery museum in Vicenza, the Hotel Mandarin Oriental in Barcelona, the Hotel Das Stue in Berlin, the Spa of the Hotel Four Seasons in Milan; retail and display designs for Gianvito Rossi, BMW, Cassina, Ferragamo, Flos, Missoni, Molteni, Officine Panerai, H&M, Santoni and Pitti Uomo Firenze. She has created products for numerous major companies in Italy and abroad, including: Agape, Alessi, Axor-Hansgrohe, Baccarat, Boffi, Budri, De Padova, Driade, Flos, Gan, Georg Jensen, Glas Italia, Haworth, Kartell, Kvadrat, Listone Giordano, Louis Vuitton, Moroso, Mutina, Rosenthal and Verywood. Some of her products are exhibited in the great museums of art and design, including the MoMa in New York, the Musée des Arts décoratifs in Paris, the Museum of Design in Zurich, the Vitra Design Museum in Basel, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Stedelijk in Amsterdam, and the Triennale in Milan. She has won numerous international accolades, including: The Medalla de Oro al Mérito en las Bellas Artes from the Spanish government; the order of Isabella the Catholic, presented to her by His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain; “Designer of the decade” for the magazines Home and Häuser; “Designer of the Year” for the magazines Wallpaper, AD Spain, Elle Decor International and Architektur und Wohnen.