Italian company Moroso’s long-standing relationships with Patricia Urquiola and Ron Arad continue to deliver on innovation and creativity, shown in new collaborative designs.

Moroso is a family-led business, and has been under the creative leadership of Patrizia Moroso – who’s parents started the business in the 1950s – since the 80s. Something that defines the Udine-based company is its enthusiasm for scouting and working with new design talents, evidenced by the decades-long partnerships it has with now-leading designers Patricia Urquiola and Ron Arad. The most recent edition of Milan Design Week saw the brand release new products developed in collaboration with Urquiola and Arad, respectively. 

Cover and above: The statement seat of One Page, an armchair design by Ron Arad for Moroso, is modelled as if a single sheet of paper.

Arad’s One Page armchair is a main release this year – and a design Moroso sees as a modern icon. A reinterpretation of the lounge chair, it brings a playful feeling to classic forms, with a bold silhouette characteristic of Arad’s work. One Page was exhibited during Fuorisalone at Moroso’s Urquiola-designed Via Pontaccio flagship, as well as the Rossana Orlandi gallery, where it was presented in five special versions. Emulating the modelling of a single sheet of paper, the graphic design is achieved with a rigid moulded polyurethane shell and flexible polyurethane soft internal padding, which take shape over a metal frame.

Urquiola contributed a sofa to Moroso’s roster of novelties, taking inspiration from the ‘non-conformist aesthetics’ of the 1970s. Indeed, Gruuve embodies a retro spirit and look, building upon the design language Urquiola developed with the Lowseat collection for Moroso in 2000. Comprising four modules, the sofa invites dynamic use, with floor-reaching, rounded profiles that intuitively encourage movement. Upholstery can be selected in a range of unique colours, or a custom fabric with graphics designed by Urquiola herself. 

Above: Patricia Urquiola's new 1970s-inspired Gruuve sofa. Below: The Tender bed, by Urquiola, as shown in the new domestic suite of Moroso's Via Pontaccio flagship.

Moroso’s focus isn’t solely on the new, however. It’s also dedicated to ensuring that clients can acquaint – and reacquaint – themselves with materials and older products in new ways. The Via Pontaccio flagship serves as a tool to do just that: while it retains the architectural features it had for last year’s Fuorisalone set-up, Urquiola introduced fresh elements and details to diversify the experience. She even added a domestic suite where visitors can get an idea for how Moroso designs, like her Tender bed and seating, function in more intimate settings.