laCividina INTRODUCES ITS FIRST OUTDOOR COLLECTION!

Images courtesy of laCividina

Osaka Outdoor: The Evolution of an Icon

laCividina writes a new chapter in its history and that of Osaka – the famous sofa designed by Pierre Paulin – and does so with the launch of the Outdoor version that also marks the Friuli-based company’s debut in outdoor furniture.

This version carefully preserves the legacy of the original project – modularity, versatility, and a wrap-around design that celebrates conviviality – as well as that of the 2013 re-edition, sublimating its distinctive features and skilfully reinterpreting them to suit outdoor spaces.

Fulvio Bulfoni, President of laCividina, states:
“The launch of Osaka Outdoor represents a historic moment for us, our first step into outdoor furniture. We have always been committed to combining tradition and innovation, and this new venture allows us to take our vision of design beyond indoor spaces, offering solutions that combine aesthetics, comfort, and functionality in an outdoor context. The Osaka is one of our iconic products, an example of design that stands the test of time and fashion. It was a great responsibility for us, but we took up the challenge with enthusiasm. With this reinterpretation, we wanted to keep Pierre Paulin’s original spirit intact, adapting it with state-of-the-art materials and technologies to meet the needs of outdoor environments. It is certainly an ambitious project but one that encapsulates the essence of our approach: to create beautiful, functional objects made with the craftsmanship that distinguishes us. We are enthusiastic and always want to project our design towards new horizons.”

In 1967, legendary designer Pierre Paulin revolutionised the concept of seating by developing an innovative modular system for the 1970 Osaka World Expo. This sofa represented a break with the conventions of the time and the rationalism that permeated the world of design: its organic, fluid forms, modular configuration and the absence of rigid elements redefined the very idea of comfort, adapting perfectly to the spaces and needs of the user of the time.

The sinuous sofa is characterised by only three elements and is held together by a special steel structure, which acts as a central “backbone” and allows the desired curvatures to be realised. In order to accommodate these, Paulin’s attention was immediately focused on the stretch fabric, which should perfectly follow the silhouette of the entire seat, thus creating an elastic surface free of the slightest ripple.

In 2013, laCividina brought this icon back to life with a re-edition faithful to the original design, enriched with contemporary materials and craftsmanship that enhanced its quality and comfort even further. Today, thanks to the use of advanced, top-quality materials – such as water-repellent fabrics, weather-resistant technical padding, and treated metal frames – the Osaka Outdoor combines timeless aesthetics, durability, and uncompromising comfort.

The Osaka is not just a sofa, but a manifesto of Pierre Paulin’s design thinking, who believed in a design that could transform everyday life, making it more dynamic, comfortable, and in tune with the spirit of the times. Almost 60 years after its birth, this sofa represents an icon of modern design, celebrated for its ability to combine aesthetics, functionality, and innovation.

With this new version, laCividina not only pays tribute to Pierre Paulin’s revolutionary vision, celebrating the glorious past of the original version but also projects its design into the future, offering an elegant and contemporary solution for experiencing outdoor spaces with the same comfort and style that have made the Osaka a timeless icon.