The Unconventional Designs of Patricia Urquiola
Patricia Urquiola is breaking boundaries and conventions, designing experimental and award-winning furniture in a male-dominated industry
Rebecca Gross
19 September 2016
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
Patricia Urquiola (1961), a Spanish architect and designer who has made her home in Milan, Italy, has had a meteoric rise. Well and truly making her mark within a male-dominated industry, she has been the recipient of well-deserved accolades such as Designer of the Decade and Designer of the Year by various magazines and publications. Urquiola’s designs break the boundaries of traditional practice with furniture forms that are playful and unconventional, while still being practical and comfortable. Here’s what you need to know about Urquiola and her outstanding pieces of contemporary design that are experimental, while still being supremely comfortable and attractive.
The Gentry Sofa, Fjord armchair and pouffe by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso.
Urquiola studied architecture in Madrid before refining her craft in Italy. She studied at Milan Politecnico mentored by master of Italian industrial design, Achille Castiglioni, and later worked for the New Product Development office of De Padova, under the guidance of the great Vico Magistretti.
Becoming the head of the Lissoni Associati design group in 1996, Urquiola worked with renowned brands such as Alessi, Flos, Boffi, Cappellini, Cassina and Kartell. She launched Studio Urquiola in Milan in 2001, and today works across architecture, interiors and furniture for groups that include B&B Italia, Kartell, Kettal and Moroso. Let’s take a look at some of Urquiola’s key pieces, as featured in the interiors on Houzz.
Urquiola studied architecture in Madrid before refining her craft in Italy. She studied at Milan Politecnico mentored by master of Italian industrial design, Achille Castiglioni, and later worked for the New Product Development office of De Padova, under the guidance of the great Vico Magistretti.
Becoming the head of the Lissoni Associati design group in 1996, Urquiola worked with renowned brands such as Alessi, Flos, Boffi, Cappellini, Cassina and Kartell. She launched Studio Urquiola in Milan in 2001, and today works across architecture, interiors and furniture for groups that include B&B Italia, Kartell, Kettal and Moroso. Let’s take a look at some of Urquiola’s key pieces, as featured in the interiors on Houzz.
Crinoline chair
Urquiola designed the Crinoline series, a study in 3D texture that achieves formal, soft and sinuous results, for B&B Italia. The elaborately woven high-backed chair (to the right of the picture) is throne-like while still being relaxed enough for indoor and outdoor living.
Urquiola designed the Crinoline series, a study in 3D texture that achieves formal, soft and sinuous results, for B&B Italia. The elaborately woven high-backed chair (to the right of the picture) is throne-like while still being relaxed enough for indoor and outdoor living.
Fat-Fat coffee tables
This collection of three occasional tables was also designed for B&B Italia. Taking inspiration from oriental styling, Urquiola designed the tables to feature a varnished tray sitting atop a very light metal rod frame.
This collection of three occasional tables was also designed for B&B Italia. Taking inspiration from oriental styling, Urquiola designed the tables to feature a varnished tray sitting atop a very light metal rod frame.
Comback chair
Inspired by the Windsor chair, the Comback’s combination of plastic and wood is a contemporary interpretation on the centuries-old classic. Fashioned from batch-dyed thermoplastic techno-polymer, the chair features bright colours and a new geometry in its shape. Urquiola designed it for Kartell who have made it available in four versions, including the Sled, Swivel, Wooden and Rocking chair.
Must-know chair: the Windsor
Inspired by the Windsor chair, the Comback’s combination of plastic and wood is a contemporary interpretation on the centuries-old classic. Fashioned from batch-dyed thermoplastic techno-polymer, the chair features bright colours and a new geometry in its shape. Urquiola designed it for Kartell who have made it available in four versions, including the Sled, Swivel, Wooden and Rocking chair.
Must-know chair: the Windsor
Azulej tiles
Commissioned by Mutina Ceramics in Italy, Urquiola designed geometric and fanciful patterns for a collection of glazed porcelain tiles called Azulej that are suitable for floor and wall applications. The style started a trend in incorporating boldly patterned tiling into bathroom design.
Commissioned by Mutina Ceramics in Italy, Urquiola designed geometric and fanciful patterns for a collection of glazed porcelain tiles called Azulej that are suitable for floor and wall applications. The style started a trend in incorporating boldly patterned tiling into bathroom design.
ReTrouve outdoor setting
Inspired by the squiggles and flourishes of 1950s outdoor wire furniture, Urquiola’s ReTrouve collection is available in a variety of monochrome and bright colours. The collection comprises chairs, armchairs, tables, pouffes, and floor vases made of lacquered pre-galvanised steel tube mesh – the seats are fashioned from flat steel and extruded metal and are usually topped with brightly coloured removable cushions.
Inspired by the squiggles and flourishes of 1950s outdoor wire furniture, Urquiola’s ReTrouve collection is available in a variety of monochrome and bright colours. The collection comprises chairs, armchairs, tables, pouffes, and floor vases made of lacquered pre-galvanised steel tube mesh – the seats are fashioned from flat steel and extruded metal and are usually topped with brightly coloured removable cushions.
Gentry sofa
Urquiola designed the Gentry furniture collection for Moroso. The quilted version pictured here was made in collaboration with Febrik, a company in The Netherlands, which specialises in producing fabrics for mattresses. The upholstery is called ‘Big Braid’ and was developed with Febrik specifically for use on the Gentry series of upholstered sofas and chairs. Also seen here is Urquiola’s Gentry armchair, Fishbone tables and Golran rug.
Urquiola designed the Gentry furniture collection for Moroso. The quilted version pictured here was made in collaboration with Febrik, a company in The Netherlands, which specialises in producing fabrics for mattresses. The upholstery is called ‘Big Braid’ and was developed with Febrik specifically for use on the Gentry series of upholstered sofas and chairs. Also seen here is Urquiola’s Gentry armchair, Fishbone tables and Golran rug.
Smock chair
The Smock collection of seating was designed by Urquiola for Moroso. It includes a sofa and swivel armchair (pictured here) and its construction reveals intricate detail in the fabric while maintaining a simple, modern silhouette. The upholstery is smocking stitched around two round frames that also serve as armrests. The result is a chair that is feminine and sophisticated, yet has something of the feel of a baseball mitt (which is also what Charles and Ray Eames intended for the Eames Lounge Chair).
The Smock collection of seating was designed by Urquiola for Moroso. It includes a sofa and swivel armchair (pictured here) and its construction reveals intricate detail in the fabric while maintaining a simple, modern silhouette. The upholstery is smocking stitched around two round frames that also serve as armrests. The result is a chair that is feminine and sophisticated, yet has something of the feel of a baseball mitt (which is also what Charles and Ray Eames intended for the Eames Lounge Chair).
Tropicalia chair
With its production managed by Moroso, The Tropicalia chair has a geometric tubular steel frame wrapped with thread to create a series of solids and voids that is both graphic and structural.
Colourful combinations of heavy-metal-free thermoplastic polymer threads are vibrant and playful and ideal for outdoors, as seen here and below; while single-colour leather is elegant and luxurious for indoors or outdoors, as above.
With its production managed by Moroso, The Tropicalia chair has a geometric tubular steel frame wrapped with thread to create a series of solids and voids that is both graphic and structural.
Colourful combinations of heavy-metal-free thermoplastic polymer threads are vibrant and playful and ideal for outdoors, as seen here and below; while single-colour leather is elegant and luxurious for indoors or outdoors, as above.
Vieques bath
It’s seems obvious that Urquiola restyled an old-fashioned bath when she designed this tub for production through Agape. It was originally created for the W Hotel in Vieques, Puerto Rico, a decidedly contemporary environment, and Urquiola was also responsible for all the interiors and furnishings, as seen above. The bath is a steel tub, with a white finish on the inside and a dark grey finish on the outside. It comes with a teak shelf and backrest.
It’s seems obvious that Urquiola restyled an old-fashioned bath when she designed this tub for production through Agape. It was originally created for the W Hotel in Vieques, Puerto Rico, a decidedly contemporary environment, and Urquiola was also responsible for all the interiors and furnishings, as seen above. The bath is a steel tub, with a white finish on the inside and a dark grey finish on the outside. It comes with a teak shelf and backrest.
Vieques dining table and chairs
The Vieques collection designed for Kettal has a strong geometric aluminium frame softened with the new three-dimensional fabric, Nido d’Ape, which from Italian translates to ‘honeycomb’. The modern furniture range includes a series of chairs, armchairs and dining tables suitable for indoor or outdoor use, and in typical Urquiola style, features bright and vibrant colours as well as the monochromatic scheme seen here.
The Vieques collection designed for Kettal has a strong geometric aluminium frame softened with the new three-dimensional fabric, Nido d’Ape, which from Italian translates to ‘honeycomb’. The modern furniture range includes a series of chairs, armchairs and dining tables suitable for indoor or outdoor use, and in typical Urquiola style, features bright and vibrant colours as well as the monochromatic scheme seen here.
Caboche light
Along with Eliana Gerotto, Urquiola designed the Caboche light for Foscarini. It is reminiscent of a cabochon bracelet. The suspension lamp, as seen here above a kitchen island, is composed of concentric transparent globes made of poly-methyl methacrylate, which project and diffuse the light throughout the space.
Along with Eliana Gerotto, Urquiola designed the Caboche light for Foscarini. It is reminiscent of a cabochon bracelet. The suspension lamp, as seen here above a kitchen island, is composed of concentric transparent globes made of poly-methyl methacrylate, which project and diffuse the light throughout the space.
Husk chair
The Husk chair (seen here to the right) combines a hard shell with soft cushions in a form that is both inviting and comfortable. It has been designed to be unique in its own right, while also complementing even the most classic sofa. In bright or subtle colours the chair still pops with personality, and recycled and recyclable materials reduce its environmental impact.
The Husk chair (seen here to the right) combines a hard shell with soft cushions in a form that is both inviting and comfortable. It has been designed to be unique in its own right, while also complementing even the most classic sofa. In bright or subtle colours the chair still pops with personality, and recycled and recyclable materials reduce its environmental impact.
Tufty-Time Sofa
Urquiola designed the Tufty-Time Sofa, seen here and below, for B&B Italia. Supremely comfortable, it is also extremely versatile; it consists of various modules made of large-scale square tufts, which can be combined in different ways to form a variety of configurations. Apparently the designer was inspired by sofa shapes of the ’60s and ’70s, and the design also seems to be influenced by the classic upholstery techniques as seen in Chesterfield and Capitonne styles. Urquiola also designed a modular version, and both are available in either fabric or leather.
Must-know chair: the Chesterfield
Urquiola designed the Tufty-Time Sofa, seen here and below, for B&B Italia. Supremely comfortable, it is also extremely versatile; it consists of various modules made of large-scale square tufts, which can be combined in different ways to form a variety of configurations. Apparently the designer was inspired by sofa shapes of the ’60s and ’70s, and the design also seems to be influenced by the classic upholstery techniques as seen in Chesterfield and Capitonne styles. Urquiola also designed a modular version, and both are available in either fabric or leather.
Must-know chair: the Chesterfield
Fjord armchair from Moroso
The Fjord armchair is based on the shape of a broken seashell smoothed by waves. Inspired by both Scandinavian furniture and landscapes, its form is organic and abstract and combines chair, armchair and stool into one.
The Fjord armchair is based on the shape of a broken seashell smoothed by waves. Inspired by both Scandinavian furniture and landscapes, its form is organic and abstract and combines chair, armchair and stool into one.
Maia Egg Swing from Kettal
Urquiola’s architectural Maia Egg Swing is elegant and light while being very sturdy due to the artisan branding that creates the three-dimensional surfaces. Hanging chairs are perfect wherever you can imagine yourself curling up and relaxing, be it the living area, bedroom or outdoors.
Cool and contemporary hang-out zones
Urquiola’s architectural Maia Egg Swing is elegant and light while being very sturdy due to the artisan branding that creates the three-dimensional surfaces. Hanging chairs are perfect wherever you can imagine yourself curling up and relaxing, be it the living area, bedroom or outdoors.
Cool and contemporary hang-out zones
Mangas rug
Urquiola’s original idea for this rug collection for GAN was to create designs inspired by the look of hand-knitted jumpers. It comes in a variety of sizes and curvaceous shapes as well as upholstered ottomans.
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Do you have Patricia Urquiola furniture in your home? Upload a picture to the Comments section below to show it off.
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Urquiola’s original idea for this rug collection for GAN was to create designs inspired by the look of hand-knitted jumpers. It comes in a variety of sizes and curvaceous shapes as well as upholstered ottomans.
TELL US
Do you have Patricia Urquiola furniture in your home? Upload a picture to the Comments section below to show it off.
MORE
Read more stories on decorating styles
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Yes I have...and they can be added anywhere to any of the other elements. Sooooo clever! The backrest of a sofa can double as the backrest for the ottoman...until it's needed somewhere else.
Azulej by Mutina/Patricia Urquiola tiles have been a very popular choice amongst our current and new clientele. She has also collaborated with Mutina on several other tile creations, the most recent 'Tierras' range which is inspired terracotta - mixing modern with old school. Again another love of our clients. Head on over to our website to check them out or pop into our showrooms, her designs are beautiful; she is a very talented Architect!