patricia urquiola reinterprets traditional arabic majlis with modular sofa 'insula' for kettal

kettal expands with patricia urquiola’s insula sofa

With a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional Arabic majlis seating, Patricia Urquiola‘s Insula expands Kettal‘s furniture collections. Majlis are known as places of comfort where community members gathered to discuss events and local matters, receive and entertain guests and friends, so with this mind, the Spanish designer updated it to a modular sofa that embodies a blend of modern aesthetics and cultural heritage. Launched during Milan Design Week 2024, Insula is available in two sizes, allowing for various arrangements indoors or out.

the Insula modular sofa for Kettal, is Patricia Urquiola’s updated take on the traditional seating found in Arabic majlis

all images courtesy of Kettal

the roll backrest is insula’s highlight

At its core, the Insula sofa presents a low-profile, modular design characterized by smooth curves and a distinctive roll backrest. This feature not only serves as a visual focal point but also emphasizes a horizontal orientation, enhancing the sofa’s architectural appeal. With meticulously balanced proportions, Patricia Urquiola allows it to be integrated into various environments, offering versatility in both form and function – a quality that highlights the Spanish furniture company‘s design ethos.

Insula takes the form of a low, rational modular sofa in smooth shapes with a roll backrest

insula’s configurations allow it to be integrated into any space

the roll backrest serves as the design focal point which accentuates the horizontal orientation, enhancing the sofa’s architectural appeal

its many configurations mean it can be adapted to all types of social gatherings, both indoors and outdoors

from an office reception area to the home, Insula can be integrated anywhere

the modular seating embodies a blend of modern aesthetics and cultural heritage

modular in design, it consists of an orthogonal aluminium base, with very smooth lines with the softest most comfortable seat cushion

in function, like the original majlis, the Insula sofa’s main purpose is for socializing

the sofa combines carefully balanced proportions as an architectural element that can be subtly integrated

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project info: 

name: Insula Sofa

company: Kettal | @kettal

designer: Patricia Urquiola| @patricia_urquiola