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A Floating Island of Comfort

Patricia Urquiola uses geometry, asymmetry and icebergs as inspiration in a new sofa system, Floe Insel that debuted at Milan Design Week in April as part of the Cassina collection.

A Floating Island of Comfort

Contemporary style meets comfort in a new modular sofa system, Floe Insel designed by Patricia Urquiola for leading Italian designer furniture brand, Cassina. Featuring a multi-sided form with different geometric shapes in various angles, the asymmetrical design evokes visions of irregular blocks of ice; the sofa’s sculptural bulk floats weightlessly in its chosen setting in the room, much like Urquiola’s memories of travelling in the middle of the ocean in Greenland – one of the many little things that served as inspiration for this sofa.

A standout feature of the Floe Insel sofa is the skilful (and detailed) diagonal stitching that follows its many sides, creating visual movement while emphasising the unusual form of the sofa and its many irregular shapes. Cassina’s in-depth research helped achieve an optimum balance between cushion thickness and softness, ensuring flexible comfort without sacrificing the asymmetry in the design.

The Floe Insel system comprises a three-seater sofa and a pouf that can also work well as standalone elements, in addition to two end units and a chaise-longue in two different sizes. The modular elements can be used in various combinations to create the perfect setting. Optional cushions available in two sizes enhance seating comfort.

Design highlights of the Floe Insel sofa system also include an original 25° asymmetrical cut in each modular element, horizontal ribbed stitching on the seat and backrest cushions to emphasise their shape, padded trim running around the edges of the backrest and armrest cushions as embellishment, and optional cushions with down padding and upholstery featuring a special padded trim to match the armrest and backrest cushions.

The Floe Insel sofa system features a belted tubular steel frame with aluminium feet painted black. It’s padded with expanded polyurethane foam and polyester wadding, and upholstered in removable fabric or leather from the Cassina Collections.

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