We pay homage to Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola’s most influential pieces.
The Detail pages inside our 47th issue put a lens on five famed designers and the products they’re known for. Patricia Urquiola was part of this lineup, who earned her stripes working under the mentorship of esteemed Italian designer Achille Castiglioni (Flos, Zanotta and Alessi). In 2001, Patricia launched Studio Patricia Urquiola in Milan, and today works across architecture, product design, art direction and strategy consulting. Throughout her career, she has designed for some of the world’s most well-known brands, including Flos, Kartell, B&B Italia and Cassina.
This feature originally appeared in The Detail pages of est magazine issue 47: Creative State of Mind (pp. 202-213).
Cove House by Alwill featuring the Smock chairs by Patricia Urquiola | Photography by Prue Ruscoe
Glas Italia Shimmer Table
Patricia constructed the Shimmer table for glass furniture brand Glas Italia from a series of glass forms characterised by an iridescent multi-coloured finish. The nuances of the glass vary depending on the angle and placement of the table.
cc-tapis Rotazioni B Rug
The Rotazioni B rug, designed for Italian rug company cc-tapis, plays on the repetition of overlapping cylindrical forms to create a unique three-dimensional effect.
Mutina Celosia
Patricia created this three-dimensional terracotta brick for Italian ceramic brand Mutina to provide a tactile alternative to typical two-dimensional wall coverings.
Listone Giordano Biscuit
For Italian timber flooring brand Listone Giordano, Patricia has redefined traditional timber floors through a relaxed, more radical approach to line and shape.
B&B Italia Tufty-Time Sofa
Patricia designed this sculptural sofa for Italian furniture brand B&B Italia; ‘tufty’ being the adjective of ‘tuft’, which refers to a bunch or collection of threads. She also designed two other sofas and a bed in the same style.
Moroso Smock Armchair
Patricia drew inspiration from smocked (durable and flexible stitching) bags while creating the Smock armchair for Italian furniture brand Moroso. The chair holds its own through its distinctive materiality and form, which is why we named it a Future Classic.
Cassina Dudet Armchair
Patricia’s extensive work with Italian furniture brand Cassina earned her the prestigious title of art director in 2016. One of her most influential designs, the Dudet armchair, is both sustainability-focused and a masterpiece of comfort.
Flos Serena
Envisaged for Italian lighting brand Flos, the Serena table lamp is designed to produce indirect, reflected light – an effect made possible by its materiality of folded aluminium.
Budri Origami 06 Coffee Table
Patricia designed this coffee table for Italian marble atelier Budri as a delicate yet playful piece with polychrome marble and onyx slices. The coffee table earns its name from its origami-like structure.
