On the Rocks Sofa

Overview

On the Rocks is Francesco Binfaré's sectional for Edra, presented by the maker as a soft sculpture that brings in a new dimension of comfort, where the sofa and the people who live it take centre stage. It can be mixed and matched as needed, to share the pleasure of relaxing together or to enjoy it alone.

Construction

The sofa is wide and has no stiff structures. It is made up of four seating elements in different shapes and two backrests in different sizes, which are separated from the base and can be placed wherever you prefer. Edra's journal describes the idea behind it as "as simple as it is radical": the total separation of back and seat.

Specifications

• Designer: Francesco Binfaré
• Type: sectional system
• Elements: 4 seating elements of different shapes, 2 backrests of different sizes
• Layouts: combined in one composition or all free-standing
• Configuration: 3D configurator on edra.com; coverings via Edra Authorized Dealers
• Overall size: depends on the composition; the configurator on edra.com builds it

Separating Back from Seat

Binfaré's earlier work for Edra had already loosened the sofa's fixed geometry: a patented lever let the backs of L'Homme et La Femme rotate around the seats, and in Flap the back could be lowered in line with the seat. Edra's journal says these functions "paved the way for other projects like the On the Rocks sofa", created with an idea as simple as it is radical — the total separation of back and seat.

Watching How People Sit

Binfaré has explained that his research into comfort began by watching people: passengers on Milan's trams and tourists on the beaches of Salento sunbathing "on the rocks", observing how their bodies adapt and look for their favourite position. In his words, "a sofa is the portrait of the way we want to sit". On the Rocks answers with geometric pieces that can be gathered into one composition or scattered through a room.