Volant

Volant armchair

Volant chair

Patricia Urquiola created many series of seats in her career, but I would like to share with you some of her most popular and my most favorite pieces along with her concept for each of them.

Here is a series that she designed for Moroso. Its part of one of her projects that she’s been working on, the research of the “skin of objects.” The Volant series includes a range of sofa, armchair, chair and stool with altered proportions.

These are basic and self-sufficient upholstered chairs where the upholstery fabric is not just a cover, not just fabric, but also an element that actually defines and creates the product. 

Concept: “It has something of a Balenciaga dress or a Shogun’s robe. Using the body as a basis for transformation. Hiding the legs. Lined for greater comfort, greater beauty. An extremely elegant evening dress.” - Patricia Urquiola

Volant Sofa

Patricia Urquiola describes these chairs as "wearing" magical “evening dresses” and with dresses, there are a lot of flexibilities with the personality, style or look according on the mood of the person using it. The seat is transformable by changing the upholstery or “dress”. For a less formal, short outfit, the seat may be “dressed” in simpler upholstery. Additionally, for a more fitted look, remove the extra fabric to show off the seat’s casing, showing off the frame and highlighting its shape.

The frame base is a shape of a trapezium, connecting the back and the seat. The shape is a contrast between regularity and irregularity, with sharp angles and a clashing illusion of right angles. The seat looks flat, but in actuality is has curved sections to provide extreme comfort. The seat is made of polyurethane foam for added comfort.

Back view of the volant chair