OUVERTURE || Poltrona Frau Reinterprets a Brutalist Icon Originally Designed by Pierluigi Cerri in 1982
Lately, I’ve been fascinated by Brutalist architecture.
It began when I bought the Atlas of Brutalist Architecture, and since then, I’ve spent hours pouring over the massive, imposing, unusually-shaped designs. This is why when we heard about Poltrona Frau’s re-introduction of the Ouverture sofa—a Brutalist icon that juxtaposes industrial style with the ample softness of its cushions—we were intrigued.
Originally designed by Pierluigi Cerri in 1982, Ouverture is a sofa where technology and sublime craftsmanship express their stylistic research, which still maintains its relevance and connection to today’s contemporary audience. Its design highlights Poltrona Frau’s Leathership®, showcasing the ability to work with other materials, like metals, in combination with leather. Following and respecting the original design by Pierluigi Cerri, today’s Ouverture is a pure synthesis between tradition and cutting-edge design.
The reinterpretation of the 40 years young style icon comes in a modernized silhouette.
The sofa features a strong design that clearly expresses the research for a new language that could disrupt the formalism characterizing its era. Today, it represents contemporary lifestyles flowing from public to private, from conservative to vanguard spirits. Overture is a “Classic in its future form.”
The name evokes its heritage from the world of music, creating a contrast with its innovative, hi-tech design. The concept is a provocation, described by Pierluigi Cerri himself as: “With its Brutalist structure Ouverture highlights the system of beliefs that conceived it, as a protest against bourgeois conformism.”
The idea takes shape from an industrial-style structure, underlined by a “T-shaped” beam which sustains an innovative and elegant spring system covered by soft and rich cushions upholstered in either Pelle Frau® leather or fabric. Ouverture’s elements reveal a clear technological vocation; the supporting beam in pierced steel is constituted by single, weld-free elements which create the modular and linear design of the seating. The segments are kept in place by double “C” aluminum joints, which are visible from a lateral view of the sofa, becoming a characterizing element of its design.
The Brutalist icon finds its place within Brutalist architecture.
The overall appearance of Ouverture is light and lean, while all metal parts are epoxy powder-coated in a matte black. The “T-shaped” beam is distanced from the semi-oval steel structure which supports the seating system, creating a suspended, floating effect. The result is an elegant contrast between the powerful celebration of metal and the soft embracing feeling of the cushions, emphasized by the folds of the Pelle Frau® leather or fabric upholstering.
The new edition of Ouverture is a clear expression of the Leathership® concept created by Poltrona Frau, at that time still at an embryonic stage: representing the capability of processing different materials other than leather, such as metals, with cutting-edge technologies pursuing undisputed craftsmanship expertise and quality.
The re-introduction of Ouverture features ergonomically enhanced cushions.
Not much has changed from its original version of the 1980’s. The cushions’ padding has been ergonomically modified to confer a more embracing and less voluminous appearance. Their shape, apparently very simple, hides a fullness and richness of details such as the buttons decorating the back of the seating – a typical 80’s style with a traditional reminiscence – or the slight tapering of the insert of the cushions between the seating and the backrest. This detail can be fully appreciated on the side of the sofa where the optimal overlay of the elements does not interfere with the padding of the cushions.
Every detail was considered; even the metal-backed seating is covered in leather and jacquard fabric.
Two smaller cushions are fastened to the armrests with canvas straps. All cushions are enrichened by elegant perimetral stitching and can all be completely removed. Even the most hidden details receive great care; the steel metal sheets of the seating are covered in leather and jacquard fabric, while the springs are made with an elastic suspension in nylon canvas. The padding, in real goose down and polyester cotton, comes with a polyurethane foam insert which guarantees dimensional stability to the structure and confers extreme comfort to the seating.
The contemporary spirit of Ouverture is expressed not only by its modern lines and design but also by its extreme versatility: from domestic environments to waiting rooms and contract projects, Ouverture satisfies every style. Furnishing your personal space, whether at home or work, is more than just acquiring pricey furniture; it’s the story that resonates with you behind each piece. The Ouverture sofa holds a piece of history and brings an iconic design style into the current times. We know that if we added it to our living room or our office space, it would be a furnishing that offers both stylistic and intrinsic satisfaction.
Overture is available in different size versions: two-seater (L: 204 cm), two-seater large (L: 239 cm) and three-seater (L: 318 cm).
