Vitra Product Updates

Abalon, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, 2022 

(IMAGES AND INFORMATION UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL SEPTEMBER 20) - The new Abalon Sofa from Vitra, developed together with Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, seems to defy temporal attribution and does not correspond to any established regional furniture tradition: while its lines and organic forms are reminiscent of mid-century design, the sneaker-like knit fabric lends the design a futuristic aesthetic. ​ 

Named after the shell of a sea snail, Abalon appears neither old nor new with its curved backrest – it is simply there, as an object independent of its context that fits in almost anywhere. The sofa thus has the potential to outlast products whose design is geared to the current zeitgeist. 

 ‘Some seating furniture can look sterile and forsaken, while other pieces have a natural lively appeal. What is the reason for this difference? When people have a choice, they tend to sit in a circle and face one another, rather than side by side. However, chairs or seating arranged in a circle can be awkward if not supported by the right architecture. Taking its name from the shell of a sea snail, Abalon forms its own architecture for seating circles,’ explain Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. 

 With its organically curved shape, the sofa evokes a circle to which people feel drawn. The expansive backrest has two functions: it shields sitters who are engaged in a private conversation and offers a sense of protection to those seeking retreat within an open environment. Abalon is unusual in appearance: solid yet light, massive yet graceful. It functions as a striking solo piece and when several sofas are used together, the concave and convex surfaces create a state of compelling tension, neither attracting nor repelling one other. 

 The upholstered seat shell of the Abalon Sofa generously accommodates three people, while the curved shape creates a common focal point. The front and back of the seat shells are each covered with a different knitted fabric, which can be chosen in various combinations. Together with the three available colours of the linear base, this opens up a wide range of configuration options. The fabric covers of the sofa can be removed in full for cleaning or replacement, which further enhances its durability. Abalon Platform is a round stool that can be used as a flexible seat as well as a footrest. The carefully proportioned, widely splayed legs of the base not only ensure a high degree of stability, but also clearly identify the stool as a member of the Abalon family. The Abalon Table is also part of the product family. The round tops of this coffee table are available in a choice of finishes. 

Office Accessories

Drop Box, Konstantin Grcic

Flexible work methods have been transforming our offices for several years now. Work is no longer confined to an assigned desk, but occurs in changing locations – according to whether the task requires productive exchanges with colleagues or quiet concentration. It is therefore practical for employees to always have their personal utensils with them. Konstantin Grcic teamed up with Vitra to develop the Drop Box caddy, which together with the optional Drop Box Tray Set offers additional storage space for small items. Drop Box can be useful in many other places besides offices and home workspaces: in children's rooms to keep toys organised, in the kitchen to carry plates and cutlery outside for lunch in the garden, for storing fruit and vegetables or collecting post and papers, in the living room to hold magazines, newspapers and remote controls, in the hallway for slippers, caps and keys, or in waiting rooms for brochures, magazines and flyers.

Drop Box has a simple sturdy construction. Two side panels made of recycled plastic are joined together using aluminium tubes. The top tube serves as the handle. A structure of textile panels with welded seams is suspended on the remaining five tubes to form compartments.

Despite its size, Drop Box is light and easy to handle. It comes in a choice of colours and can be quickly dismantled if required. Name tags for personalisation are offered in various hues. The Drop Box Tray Set can be ordered separately and simply 'clicked' into place on two different levels.

Drop Box is complemented by the more compact versions Locker Box and Locker Box small.

Locker Box small, Konstantin Grcic

Lightweight and easy to handle, the small Locker Box supports agile work routines in the office and when working from home. Thanks to this practical portable caddy, work utensils such as laptop, keyboard, papers, pens, cables, hard drives, headphones etc. are always at hand and can be simply stored away at the end of the day.

In addition to the small Locker Box, which is especially compact, two larger versions are also available – Locker Box and Drop Box. ​ All three models come in a variety of colours.

Home Accessories

Super large Wooden Doll, No. 1 and No. 9, Alexander Girard

(IMAGES AND INFORMATION UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL OCTOBER 10) - The Wooden Dolls by Alexander Girard are a family of carved figures representing human and animal characters. Inspired by his personal collection of folk art, Girard made these decorative items for his own home in Santa Fe in 1952. The originals belong to the Girard Estate held by the Vitra Design Museum and serve as models for re-editions by Vitra.

At a scale of 4.15:1, the super large Wooden Dolls No. 1 and No. 9 transform the petite decorative figures into bold characters of around 80 centimetres in height, which command a leading role in any setting. Like the smaller models, the super large Wooden Dolls are crafted and painted by hand – true to the originals by Alexander Girard. Although the differences may be very subtle, each wooden specimen is in fact unique. The super large Wooden Dolls are numbered and limited to 1000 pieces per model.