In a modern reinterpretation of the convivial spaces typical of Arabic culture, Patricia Urquiola introduces the modular sofa Insula, one of Kettal’s novelties for 2024, a project that blends innovation and tradition together. Drawing inspiration from majlis, vital places within Arab communities where social gatherings, debates on local events, and receptions occurred, Urquiola revisits the domestic space with a special focus on sociability and comfort.
The design of Insula is distinguished by its fluid and rational forms, embodying a modern reinterpretation of the traditional sofa. Its enveloping backrest, a true focal point of the design, emphasizes the sofa’s horizontal line. This element becomes an expression of a careful balance of proportions, almost an architectural feature, capable of discreetly integrating into spaces.
Insula’s functionality directly refers to the original purpose of majlis: places dedicated to socialization. Thanks to its multiple configurations, the sofa perfectly adapts to any type of social gathering, whether indoor or outdoor. From a reception area in the office, where it offers a relaxing workspace, to the home for moments of relaxation, to outdoor settings ideal for sunbathing or having fun with friends.
Structurally, the sofa is characterized by an orthogonal aluminum base, on which soft lines rest a padding of unparalleled comfort. The seats, available in two sizes, allow for the implementation of different types of backrests: single, double, corner, and so on, confirming the modular vocation of Insula that accentuates its versatility.
Through the modular sofa Insula, Urquiola not only revisits but also renews the concept of conviviality, offering a furnishing solution that is not just a design object, but a true relational space. The result is a tribute to the tradition of majlis, reinterpreted through the language of contemporary design, where shapes, functionality, and social gatherings merge together creating new domestic narratives.
