A timeless tribute to versatility, elegance, and comfort

When it first appeared in 1974, Afra and Tobia Scarpa’s Elogio modular sofa introduced a new perspective on livingroom design.

With its generous depth, unmatched comfort, and architectural elegance, Elogio broke new ground in both form and function. Five decades on, as adaptability and customization have become central to modern living, GUBI and Tobia Scarpa revisit and refine the visionary design for the 21st century.

‘Elogio expresses the strength of simplicity. All the elements are in balance to offer resistance, comfort, and adaptability, within a regular geometry characterized by precise dimensional relationships, where the modular elements are repeated in a rhythmic play of lines and curves.’
– Tobia Scarpa

Elogio is the result of a journey of technological and formal experimentation, which the Scarpas also developed through its predecessors, such as the Erasmo sofa, created a year earlier. While maintaining the anthropometric approach to proportion and the balance between structure and softness, Elogio adopts a lower, more grounded profile. GUBI’s edition remains true to the 1974 edition, subtly updated through refined materials, internal construction, upholstery, and proportions, ensuring the sofa meets contemporary standards of comfort and craftsmanship.

‘Elogio was created to free objects from the constraints of traditional forms. The linear geometry and double cushions embody total compositional freedom. Over time, they lend themselves to updates in terms of materials and production methods without altering the essential structure of the sofa.’
– Tobia Scarpa

In praise of flexibility
Taking its name from the Italian word for ‘praise’ or ‘tribute’, Elogio celebrates the everyday beauty of domestic life. The system comprises three elements: two modules with side panels and one armless center module. These can be used alone or combined into a wide range of configurations: linear setups, corner compositions, chaise longues, or more experimental arrangements. This versatility makes Elogio ideal for interiors of any size – from compact apartments to expansive open-plan homes and hospitality settings.

Playful and interactive
It is not only Elogio’s modules that are adaptable; the oversized cushions are designed to be reconfigured, allowing users to play with form and function and enabling the sofa to evolve with the space and the user’s needs. Identical in size, the side and backrest cushions are interchangeable, creating rhythmic geometries and reinforcing the intentionality of the design.

Each cushion comprises two rectangular elements with a flexible fabric connection, allowing them to stack horizontally or vertically to adjust the sitting experience as desired. This duality introduces a sculptural logic and lets the users change the visual and tactile experience of the sofa. Draping the cushion over a side panel can form an angled armrest or pillow for reclining.

‘Unlike many modular sofas that focus purely on function, Elogio pairs thoughtful modularity and architectural precision with emotional warmth – bringing an enticing softness and quiet confidence to GUBI’s Collection.’
– Marie Kristine Schmidt, CEO, GUBI

Retro roots, timeless character
Elogio’s silhouette balances architectural structure with a sense of softness – an interplay of ergonomic indulgence and restrained precision held in harmony. Its bold geometry and modular identity reflect the ideas of Brutalism and Rationalism, whereas its warmth and tactility speak to the emotional sensibilities of Italian design in the 1970s and ’80s: visually distinctive, physically inviting, and materially enduring. Sculptural yet understated, functional yet expressive, Elogio earns attention not with noise but with nuance.

‘GUBI is known for rediscovering iconic, timeless designs and giving them new relevance. Rooted in history, rich in personality, and suited for modern life, Elogio reflects our philosophy perfectly. Blending sculptural form with everyday functionality, it beautifully embodies both Tobia Scarpa’s distinctive architectural approach and everything GUBI looks for in a piece of design.’
– Marie Kristine Schmidt, CEO, GUBI

Creative forms, custom fabrics
Elogio’s modular nature makes it ideal for dynamic spaces – open-plan homes, studios, gallery-style interiors, and hospitality environments that call for adaptability. A confident design that is nevertheless understated in expression, it sits elegantly in a broad spectrum of settings, from calm, intimate spaces to expansive and expressive environments.

The sofa’s versatility is further enhanced by GUBI’s curated palette of upholstery options. These include the exclusive new Reales, a fresh and refined cotton fabric, and Fustagno, GUBI’s contemporary take on fustian, a soft, velvety cotton textile with extraordinary depth. With smooth leathers and suedes also available, Elogio can be tailored to suit a wide range of interiors and moods.