Furniture – Atra & Cassina

OUTDOOR FURNITURE – Jump Around

On a recent trip to Greenland, architect and designer Patricia Urquiola was struck by small trampolines she noticed in the gardens of local homes. Inspired by the objects’ form and materiality, she designed the Trampoline love bed, launched this year at German furniture fair imm cologne as part of Cassina’s first complete outdoor collection. “We kept the technical and playful aspects. The roped back and base [are] made with technical materials that follow the concept of sports equipment used in gyms,” Urquiola explains, noting the nylon rope that provides the bed with a decorative yet functional crisscross pattern. For Urquiola, Trampoline, with its built-in canopy and graphic, multicolored cushions, is a shady and comfortable oasis made for those ready to bask in the joy of outdoor living.

Naturally Strong

Polyester, acrylic, and vinyl are considered some of the most durable fibers for outdoor fabrics, but with waste from such synthetic textiles constituting 35 percent of ocean microplastics, designers are reconsidering their options. One example: Mexico City–based studio ATRA’s new modular Nerthus sofa, designed in collaboration with fabrics firm MoonCloth. “Materials were a driving force,” explains ATRA creative director Alexander Díaz Andersson. Nerthus features durable upholstery made from hemp—a biodegradable fiber that requires 50 percent less water to produce compared with other fibers. Additionally, the sofa has upcycled foam and horsehair cushions, a frame built from Forest Stewardship Council–certified reclaimed wood, and a vegetable oil–based finish. Every element aligns with ATRA’s intention to create a piece that is “both environmentally sustainable and luxurious.”

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