The fundamental vision behind Christophe Pillet’s
new Varilounge sofa system was to create a seating
furniture series for public spaces with the softer,
elegant, sensual and extremely comfortable feeling
typically associated with the home.
“IT’S INTERESTING THAT hard contract furniture usually has a very
hard look, too,” says Christophe Pillet. “It’s usually not at all
comfortable, much less cozy or sensual. That is a pity. What’s right
for the home is actually right for every purpose. We wanted to offer
domestic comfort, appearance and emotion, with a smooth
softness, but inserted into a tough public context.”
The world of contract interiors certainly places entirely different
demands on a piece of furniture than that of the home. Varilounge
is designed not to look technological, but is in fact a technologically
advanced product based on a strong steel tube structure. The
upholstered parts are all recyclable and can be easily replaced
when needed, creating a brand new piece of furniture.
demands on a piece of furniture than that of the home. Varilounge
is designed not to look technological, but is in fact a technologically
advanced product based on a strong steel tube structure. The
upholstered parts are all recyclable and can be easily replaced
when needed, creating a brand new piece of furniture.
“It’s of course a whole different story with a sofa at home, where
you may sit for a couple of hours a night, than a sofa in an airport,
where hundreds may sit every hour,” says Christophe Pillet. “In fact,
it’s a very heavy duty construction, but using new, light, very strong
you may sit for a couple of hours a night, than a sofa in an airport,
where hundreds may sit every hour,” says Christophe Pillet. “In fact,
it’s a very heavy duty construction, but using new, light, very strong
qualities of steel to still achieve a soft, light impression. It’s an
idea inspired by the automobile industry, where the same model
can look and function equally well for private use as when driven
professionally, for example as a taxi. It should look as good and
be as comfortable as domestic furniture, but with super-functionality
for heavy use.”
idea inspired by the automobile industry, where the same model
can look and function equally well for private use as when driven
professionally, for example as a taxi. It should look as good and
be as comfortable as domestic furniture, but with super-functionality
for heavy use.”
Our Varilounge series includes a high easy chair, a low easy chair
and a sofa which can be combined and customized for a wide variety
of uses and styles, as well as for domestic environments. The system
shows elements of so-called mini-architecture, a field in which
Offecct has been a pioneer. It also features innovative solutions for
flexible electricity outlets, so important today when many public
spaces are work hubs.
and a sofa which can be combined and customized for a wide variety
of uses and styles, as well as for domestic environments. The system
shows elements of so-called mini-architecture, a field in which
Offecct has been a pioneer. It also features innovative solutions for
flexible electricity outlets, so important today when many public
spaces are work hubs.
The same system can create both higher and lower units. The
construction is extremely durable, while all soft parts use minimal
material and can be swiftly exchanged and recycled, with endless
options for customization.
construction is extremely durable, while all soft parts use minimal
material and can be swiftly exchanged and recycled, with endless
options for customization.
“You may see Varilounge as a next generation mini-architecture
system,” says Anders Englund, Design Manager at Offecct. “This
means that it can be used to create mini rooms in chaotic public
environments with a softer, more cozy and homey micro-atmosphere.
The sofas and chairs really are extremely comfortable, framing
the body in a very pleasant way.”
system,” says Anders Englund, Design Manager at Offecct. “This
means that it can be used to create mini rooms in chaotic public
environments with a softer, more cozy and homey micro-atmosphere.
The sofas and chairs really are extremely comfortable, framing
the body in a very pleasant way.”
