Papilio
Description
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A chair and stool in two heights, Papilio can be used in formal contexts, while also allowing for a more informal use by leaning on one of the back’s “wings”, inspired by those of a butterfly (or “Papilio” in Latin). The formal balance derives from the constant thickness of the shell and from the shape of the seat, which is sinuous in the upper part and then merges with the light steel frame. Upholstered in either leather or fabric, Papilio’s cover can be removed using a metal zipper on the back, a functional and decorative detail that characterises the entire line of chairs of the same name.
Back
Concept
Butterflies in flight. The design image was that of a chair that would "welcome" gracefully - with the graceful movement of a butterfly - which in Latin is called a "papilio". Grande Papilio was designed with fluidity around an upside-down truncated cone. The ample space of its large upper back and the curved shape of its cosy seat are a clear signs of a desire to offer maximum comfort to anyone who wants to sit it this chair. This is a truly iconic product, even though its aesthetics were not a high priority according to the designer. Fukasawa, who puts people's behaviour before an interest for shape, said: “I wanted the chair to look naturally comfortable, to have the same shape that relaxation would have if it were represented by an image." The wings that extend at the sides of the chair emphasise the sensation of comfort: in the chair and the small armchair, they help support the hips and the back; in the Grande Papilio chair and the Love Papilio sofa, they cushion the head to offer isolation and tranquillity. The same spirit of simplicity, immediacy and comfort have guided the functional development of the entire Papilio series: the Grande Papilio and Piccola Papilio armchairs, the chairs Papilio and Mini Papilio, the Love Papilio sofa and the Papilio bed.
Technical information
Internal frame
thermoplastic material shell
Internal frame upholstery
Bayfit® flexible cold shaped polyurethane foam, polyester fibre cover
Legs
tubular steel and steel profiles
Ferrules
thermoplastic material
Cover
fabric or leather in limited categories
Configurator
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Designer
Naoto Fukasawa
Naoto Fukasawa is a designer known for his projects devoted to simplicity and sublime beauty, as well as unusual ideas. He has designed a wide range of products, from hi-tech to electronic equipment, architecture, and also high-end furniture and objects. He is collaborating with top leading brands, including B&B Italia, throughout Europe, America, and Asia. Fukasawa is one of the directors of 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, he also sits on the design advisory board of MUJI and is the art director of MARUNI. In 2006, he established “Super Normal” with Jasper Morrison. In 2017, he became a member of the judging committee for the LOEWE Craft Prize. He is vice president at Tama Art University and director of The Nihon Mingei-kan (The Japan Folk Crafts Museum) since 2012. In 2022 he founded the Design Science Foundation. Fukasawa is the winner of numerous awards given by domestic and international institutions, including the 2018 Isamu Noguchi Award. He published a few books, the most recent one in 2018 “Naoto Fukasawa EMBODIMENT” (Phaidon).
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