Polder Sofa
Date: 2005
Commissioned by: Vitra, Basel (available here)
Type: Industrial product
With the quiet irony typical for her work, Hella Jongerius named her new sofa for Vitra Polder. The word refers to the tracts of land reclaimed from the sea in Holland by creating dikes and drainage ditches. The elongated carcass of this asymmetrically arranged sofa is similarly low and flat, and emphasises the horizontal. The carcass consists of a wooden frame cushioned with foam and upholstered with a technical fabric. It serves as a platform for four conspicuously voluminous, elongated cushions. Securely positioned in a depression in the carcass, two of these comfortable cushions filled with polyester wadding form the seats and backrest. The area around the cushions offers space for a removable armrest or a place for things like magazines or a tray. The cushions and carcass are upholstered in five different fabrics in five co-ordinating colours. This play with colours and textures underscores the asymmetry of the piece, and together with the large buttons decorating the cushions are unmistakable trademarks of the Polder Sofa. Made of natural materials like bone and mother of pearl, the buttons are sewn to the cushions with bold broad cross stitches. Through the selection of the threads, Hella Jongerius creates a contrast of colours that further enhances the distinctiveness of this design feature.