Cassina’s iconic Utrecht XL armchair is reimagined for the open-air
Brand story by Harriet Thorpe
Meda (Mi), Italy
07.05.24
The emblematic Utrecht XL armchair – designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld – has taken over the outdoors, bringing with it a vibrant design that maintains a distinct graphic rhythm through the juxtaposition of orthogonal components.
The Utrecht XL Outdoor armchair: a larger version of Gerrit Thomas Rietveld’s iconic armchair. Photo: Francesco Dolfo
The Utrecht XL Outdoor armchair: a larger version of Gerrit Thomas Rietveld’s iconic armchair. Photo: Francesco Dolfo
×Cassina presents a new outdoor version of the iconic Utrecht armchair by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld. This reinterpretation maintains the same aesthetic and construction characteristics as the Utrecht XL, the larger version of the model developed by the company to meet the needs of new generations with a more ample seat. Designed by the Dutch architect in 1935 for the Metz&Co. department store and named after his hometown, the Utrecht armchair has been produced exclusively worldwide by Cassina since 1988.
Here the armchair sports the floral Favignana fabric, crafted through a jacquard process. Photo: Francesco Dolfo
Here the armchair sports the floral Favignana fabric, crafted through a jacquard process. Photo: Francesco Dolfo
×As a synthesis of experimentation and comfort, Utrecht XL Outdoor preserves the dynamic aesthetics of the original armchair, marked by the juxtaposition of orthogonal elements and imbued with references of the De Stijl movement, of which Rietveld was a major exponent. Yet the materials and upholstery have been carefully updated for outdoor environments: soft padding in recycled PET wadding is protected by a water-repellent canvas that envelops the inner metal structure and the okoumè wood armrests, while the raised and adjustable feet make the model ideal for open spaces.
Cassina has engineered the Utrecht XL Outdoor armchair with a water-repellent canvas. Photo: Francesco Dolfo
Cassina has engineered the Utrecht XL Outdoor armchair with a water-repellent canvas. Photo: Francesco Dolfo
×Utrecht XL Outdoor is upholstered in new textures and patterns inspired by Mediterranean landscapes with notes of terracotta, green and turquoise. The armchair is also available in a floral Favignana fabric crafted through a jacquard process. Fabrics are embellished with visible zips, available in five colours, and hidden Velcro® fasteners making it possible to completely remove the upholstery in a single piece, without dismantling its various elements.
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