Superquadra

Overview

The Superquadra bench belongs to the Superquadra furniture line designed by Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan / Studio MK27, which Minotti says is named after the pilot urban plan that Lúcio Costa drew up with Oscar Niemeyer for a residential district of Brasilia in 1956. The benches come in two heights, 34 and 42 cm, and in four versions.

Image source: Minotti — Superquadra · © Minotti and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research. · View official product page ↗ · Image use & copyright policy

Construction

• Platform: plywood with variable-density polyurethane foam padding, laminated to breathable heat-bonded fibre
• Tops: palisander Santos in a Dark Brown stain under matt polyester lacquer, or Calacatta or Sahara Noir marble
• Legs: 25 mm Ø aluminium tubing, varnished polished Brandy, joined to a frame of aluminium rods in matt black, with black polyethylene glides

Specifications

• Bench with two tops, wood and marble: 182 x 102 cm in plan, with 34 cm as the drawing's largest further value (the page names 34 and 42 cm as the two heights)
• All-covered bench: 126 x 128 cm, captioned H34 and H42 on the page

A line named after Brasilia

Minotti explains that the Superquadra line borrows its name from the 1956 pilot urban plan by Lúcio Costa, with Oscar Niemeyer, for a residential district of Brasilia, shown as a series of basic prefab houses. The square volumes of the famous buildings on agile pilotis are revamped for sideboards, benches, coffee tables, a console table and tables.

Benches with different densities

The benches are characterised by different densities of cushioning. The page lists four versions: covered all over in fabric or leather, with the seat paired with a palisander Santos top, with the seat set beside a marble top, or with two tops, one in solid wood and one in marble.