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A sofa can go beyond being a mere piece of furniture to become a room within a room.
The defining concept behind the Alcove product family – creating places of shelter and seclusion – is especially pronounced in the Alcove Highback Sofa: tucked away within its high side and back panels, the user is shielded both visually and acoustically from the surrounding environment. It offers a space for withdrawal and privacy in a peaceful oasis.
Structural frame
Tubular steel, chrome-plated or powder-coated (smooth), metal frame with upholstery webbing (lounge upholstery) or MDF base board (work upholstery).
Body
High back and side panels form a visual and acoustic shield, integrated MDF boards for structural support, panel sections connected with zip fasteners.
Upholstery/seat
Polyurethane foam and polyester fibre. Alcove sofas come in two different upholstery versions: soft ‚lounge upholstery‘ for relaxed sitting and firmer ‚work upholstery‘ for work-oriented sitting with various seat heights. Lounge upholstery = 485 mm (measured according to EN 1335-1 = 325 mm), work upholstery = 480 mm (measured according to EN 1335-1 = 385 mm).
Legs
Tubular steel, chrome-plated or powder-coated (smooth).
Back cushions and cushion set
Polyurethane chips and microfibre filling. The set of cushions is sold separately.
Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec
Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, born 1971 and 1976, respectively, in Quimper, France, studied at the École Nationale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and at the École des Beaux-Arts in Cergy-Pontoise. Ronan began independent design work immediately after completing his studies, while his brother, who was still in school, assisted him.
Since 1999 both brothers have worked together as joint partners in their own Paris-based design studio. Their work ranges from small utilitarian objects to architectural projects. In addition to the design of domestic and office furniture, vases, porcelain dishware, jewellery and diverse home accessories, a primary focus of their work is the design and organisation of interior space.
One of their most unconventional designs, Algue (2004), was created in this context. The collaboration between the Bouroullec brothers and Vitra began with the office furniture system Joyn, which was developed between 2000 and 2002 and continues to be expanded and refined. Along with Jasper Morrison, Hella Jongerius and Antonio Citterio, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have made major contributions to the steadily growing Vitra Home Collection.
Swiss manufacturer Vitra’s collections of furniture and lighting bring together the colour, culture and sophistication of the world’s most prominent designers.