Product news: these triangular sofas by Dutch architects UNStudio were inspired by geological formations.

Created for furniture manufacturers Walter Knoll, the seats tesselate to form clusters that break up communal spaces like lobbies and lounges.

They are made of Polyurethane foam on a steel frame and can be upholstered in a variety of colour combinations that are meant to reference a collection of precious stones.

"The Seating Stones are designed to generate numerous different atmospheres, which is why we included a wide variety of possible configurations and colours but also a selection of materials," co-founder of UNStudio Ben van Berkel told Dezeen. "We also created something that wasn’t instantly recognisable as a chair and that in fact was somewhat more sculptural as a form."

UNStudio are launching the sofa design this week at Orgatec in Cologne, which continues until 27 October.

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Here's some more information from the designers:

Seating stones

Throughout history natural formations have been used to provide seating elements for rest, relaxation, gathering and communication. Inspired by the rhythmic smoothness of geological formations, the sculptural Seating Stones exhibit a playful take on spatial awareness and versatility, presenting myriad possibilities for placement, color, texture, arrangement and communication.

Seating Stones are designed as individual objects and can be used autonomously. However they can also be placed side by side as a family of forms in a variety of configurations. The shape and contours of the seating elements facilitate a wide range of possible groupings. They can be placed together, either to accommodate privacy or to invite communication; they can be both individual and private or social and open.

Seating Stones are equally versatile when it comes to multipurpose usage, offering a diversity of options for placement; from offices, waiting rooms, lobbies and meeting spaces to use in the home. In all situations the configuration of the seating elements can be arranged to suit individual spaces and the desired ‘connectivity’ of the users.

Inspired by the bright and varied natural fabrics produced by the Incas of Latin America, Seating Stones can be upholstered in a wide variety of fabrics and colours. Furthermore, the fabric types and colours can be mixed, creating different appearances and textures in each element, or in a grouping of individual seats. The fabrics of the Seating stones can therefore reference a simple, individual stone, or alternatively can resemble a mixed formation of richly coloured minerals.

Seating Stones, Walter Knoll, Herrenberg, Germany, 2012
Client: Walter Knoll
Location: Herrenberg, Germany
Size/s: w x l x h: 1596 x 876 x 800
Materials: steel frame and PU Foam, upholstered.
Seat Comfort by belts
Status: will be presented at Orgatec 2012

Credits

UNStudio: Ben van Berkel, Caroline Bos with Martijn Prins, Maurits Fennis and William de Boer
Walter Knoll: Markus Benz and Jurgen Rohm