Cologne 2014:Â German designer Christian Werner has created a sofa for French brand Ligne Roset with backrests that can be placed in any position (+ slideshow).
Werner designed the Prado sofa to allow users the freedom to configure the sofa to suit their mood or lifestyle.
Weighted cushions that act as movable backrests and additional bolster cushions can be arranged in any configuration on top of the large seat, or used to create informal seating areas on the floor.
From front-on the cushions have a standard oblong shape but sweep out at the back to form a stable base.
A metal insert in the base enhances the stability of the cushions, while a non-slip surface prevents them from moving once they're in position.
The sofa's deep seat is raised on a black lacquered steel base and is available in two lengths.
The smaller size comes with two back cushions and two bolster cushions, and the larger with three back cushions and two bolsters.
Mattress ticking on the reverse side of the seat cushion means it can be flipped over to turn the sofa into an occasional bed, and an optional fitted sheet can also be specified.
Prado was exhibited by Ligne Roset at the imm cologne trade fair last week, along with a rounded sofa by Philippe Nigro and a combined coffee table and footstool by GamFratesi.
Here are some more details from Ligne Roset:
Concept
"I don't stand if I can sit. I don't sit if I can lie down."
"Some people succeed in finding their dream, whilst others create it if they can’t find it."
It is through these quotations by Henry Ford and Theodor Fontane respectively that Christian Werner brings us his Prado nomadic settee. A way of showing us that the search for freedom and wellbeing has completely guided the design of this model. Quite apart from the habitual style exercise which surrounds a new settee – which consists of a principally aesthetic proposal – Prado represents first and foremost an approach based on the study of lifestyles, or in short, the human being. Here, therefore, we find the same ambition as that which brought us Smala in the early part of the new century.
Prado consists of a vast seat (sizes: 100 x 200 cm and 120 x 240 cm) which may be used either independently or with other elements, on which back cushions may be scattered at will. There is total freedom since these cushions, which are weighted and equipped with an anti-slip system, will remain in place without needing to be leant against or attached to anything. They could therefore be arranged on the floor for a few leisurely moments around a low table, whilst the seat could do duty as an occasional bed simply by turning over its seat cushion, the reverse of which is covered with mattress ticking.
The Oda low and pedestal tables (designed to slide above the seat cushion thanks to their cantilevered tops) were designed as the perfect complements to this settee, making it possible to create corner compositions, for example, or to add occasional tables on which one can place one's personal effects.
Nomadic settee, removable cushions, 2 sizes 100 X 200 and 120 X 240.
The medium settee comes with 2 back cushions and 2 bolsters. The large settee comes with 3 back cushions and 2 bolsters. Optional armrest cushion (sold either singly or in pairs). Structure, back cushions, bolsters and armrests may be ordered in the same covering material, or in various colours and/or covering materials.
Another important and particularly interesting feature of Prado is the possibility of transforming it into a comfortable bed-settee, for the reverse of the seat cushion is covered in mattress ticking: simply turn the cushion over and use the optional fitted sheet to create a comfortable sleep platform either 100 or 120 cm in width.
Technical description
Structure in panels of chipboard clad in foam 50 kg/m3 and 110 g/m2 quilting.
Seat cushion in polyurethane foam 36 kg/m3 and 110 g/m2 quilting.
Base in Epoxy matt black lacquered steel.
Back cushion in injected foam 60 kg/m3 moulded onto a metal insert, equipped with elastic webbing and with a compartmented goose feather-filled comfort layer (10 % down / 90 % feathers) with 110 g/m2 quilting.
Anti-slip system.
Lumbar cushion filled with new goose feathers (10 % down / 90 % feathers).
Optional armrest cushion in polyurethane foam 35 kg/m3 and 200 g/m2 quilting.
A white 100 % cotton fitted sheet is also available for each settee.
Range
Large settee W 240 D 120 H 87 seat height 40.5
Medium settee W 200 D 100 H 87 seat height 40.5
Optional cushion W 40 D 23 H 15