Dezeen Magazine

Ron Arad and Moroso create curvy chairs for Watergate Hotel renovation

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Designer Ron Arad has created bespoke seating for his overhaul of the hotel in Washington DC made famous by the Watergate scandal.

Arad's new designs were produced by Italian furniture brand Moroso for the restaurant at the Watergate Hotel, which reopened last month after extensive renovations.

Watergate chair by Moroso and Ron Arad
The Watergate chair features in the restaurant at the hotel, which was made famous by the Watergate political scandal

The complex became famous as the stage for the Watergate political scandal, which led to the resignation of US president Richard Nixon in 1974.

It was built by Italian architect Luigi Moretti between 1960 and 1965, and features curving walls that create fluid public spaces.

Watergate chair by Moroso and Ron Arad
The design features a looped cushion that forms both the seat and backrest

"Arad's concept was to honour the context while creating something complementary and new, enhancing Moretti's original curves with some of his own," said Moroso.

The Watergate Chair is a variation of Arad's Victoria and Albert collection of seating, first designed for Moroso in 2000.

Watergate chair by Moroso and Ron Arad
The Watergate chair is a variation on Arad's 2000 Victoria and Albert seating range

A continuous cushioned band loops around to form both the flat seat and curved back, with upholstery available in a range of bright colours.

Arad has also reinterpreted his 2004 Three Skin chair for the brand, creating a design called One Skin that also comes as a bar stool.

One Skin bar stool by Moroso and Ron Arad
Arad also designed the One Skin seats for the hotel, which come as a chair and bar stool. Photograph is by Alessandro Paderni

Instead of the trio of bent plywood sections used to form the earlier chair's legs, seat and back, the new editions require only one curved element.

The wood is paired with a curved steel frame, which forms four legs for the chair and a continuous bent support for the stool.

One Skin chair by Moroso and Ron Arad
Developed from his Three Skin plywood designs, the One Skin chair features a single curved wooden element. Photograph is by Alessandro Paderni

A variety of Moroso furniture is used throughout the hotel's lobby, restaurant and whisky bar, including Arad's Ripple Chairs, Soft Little Heavy, Big Easy, Size Ten and Misfits designs.

Patricia Urquiola's Bohemian and Redondo sofas and chairs, Alfredo Haberli's Take a Line for a Walk wingback and Archea Associati's Terraria bookshelves also feature.

One Skin chair by Ron Arad and Moroso
The One Skin chair is suppoted by a bent steel frame. Photograph is by Alessandro Paderni

Arad has a longstanding relationship with Moroso – an exhibition of his work for the brand in Milan earlier this year marked 25 years of their collaboration.

One Skin bar stool by Moroso and Ron Arad
A similar support made from a single length of steel holds up the One Skin bar stool. Photograph is by Alessandro Paderni

The London-based Israeli designer's furniture pieces for Moroso include the 1991 Spring collection, which he said marked a "turn in direction" for the company.

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