Moroso Features Patricia Urquiola Designs of 2020 and 2021

by Vainess Mbewe

Patricia Urquiola Designs

Moroso has some of their latest products on display at the Kvadrat showroom, including the new Pacific collection (2021) and the two sister armchairs, Getlucky and Ruff (2020). 

Pacific is the continuation of a design process begun in 2010 with the iconic Redondo collection by Patricia Urquiola, a success for its use of innovative, luxurious finishes.

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The new Pacific collection, released in 2021, focuses on the shape, restoring generous, curved lines.

Preceding the sofa, the two armchairs were designed by Patricia Urquiola as an experiment with binary geometry to combine the seat parts and backrests. The armchairs were released in 2020.

“What is interesting, too, is that they can be used in various settings, be it for the dining room,” said  Davide Michelizza, the Export Area Manager of Moroso, referring to the way the chairs had been placed for the exhibition, fitting perfectly with the table, “or in an office, living room, as required.” 

Getlucky stands out for the simplicity of its form, created as a small armchair for dining. A soft backrest wraps around the back like a ribbon before interweaving with the comfortable seat with precise lines, which embody the grace and the elegance of shape. Its backrest and seat form geometric shapes that equate to sculptural art so it’s practical and a conversation piece.  

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In parallel, its sister lounge chair Ruff was designed for the contract and hospitality sectors and can be used in any living space. The wide armrests lie on the sides of the seat section and wrap around it firmly, even though it has a single joint. The result is the harmonious combination between curved and straight lines – a simple geometry that creates an architectural interaction with the surrounding space. 

It is an explicit tribute from the Spanish designer to both her origins and to the art of Eduardo Chillida (1924-2002), the internationally renowned sculptor who lived in San Sebastián and whose designs, with their high architectural vocation, are in constant dialogue with the surrounding space.

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A lot of work goes into the creation of a perfect balance between comfort, usability and practicality, as stated by Davide Michelizza, the Export Area Manager of Moroso gave us a presentation of the armchairs and the company’s relationship with Kvadrat, a high-performance, design textiles, rugs, acoustic and window covering producing company for both commercial and residential interiors which has been working closely with Moroso for a few decades. 

Davide explained the textiles from wool are stretchy which allows them to cover the chairs perfectly considering their authentic shapes. 

“The hand-made linings produce a design which serves for decorative purposes but also, smooth to the touch and quite invisible,” Davide said during the presentation.

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“As we use authentic and quality—and mostly sustainable—products, we do not do a cradle to cradle production process as there is usually no need.”

Established in 1952, Moroso was the brainchild of Agostino Moroso. He founded the company with his wife Diana with the objective of making sofas, armchairs and furnishing accessories. 

“An artisanal approach to product manufacturing and extraordinary creativity in the designing stage formed the foundations of a vision which enabled the firm to grow and distinguish itself in the market for its product quality, innovation and creativity,” Davide said. 

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Nearly seventy years after its founding, Moroso is positioned among the haute couture of international design, a leading company in upholstered-furniture manufacturing. 

“In the Eighties, the second generation of the family launched an exhaustive program of author design studies.”