Dezeen Magazine

Vitra to show Barber and Osgerby furniture at London Design Festival

London Design Festival 2014: Swiss brand Vitra will showcase a collection of furniture by UK designers Barber and Osgerby during next month's London Design Festival (+ slideshow).

Barber and Osgerby furniture for Vitra

Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby's range for Vitra includes the Mariposa sofa, which features adjustable sides and backrests that tilt to accommodate different seating positions.

"To design a sofa is not really interesting unless you can find another way in," said Osgerby. The upholstered sofa will be available to purchase in the UK from September.

Barber and Osgerby furniture for Vitra

The duo has also designed a dual-purpose room divider and bookshelf called Planophore, named after an 1871 model aeroplane powered by twisted rubber bands.

Wooden shelves are supported by rows of asymmetric vertical aluminium panels.

Barber and Osgerby furniture for Vitra

These panels rotate to act either as dividers when turned perpendicular to the shelves or a continuous partition when arranged parallel to the horizontal elements.

The panels – which can be powder-coated in different colours – can also be used to create backgrounds for decorative objects. Currently undergoing further development, the design will come in various heights and widths once in production.

Barber and Osgerby furniture for Vitra

A simple solid-wood table and matching bench seat are also included in the collection. The Wood Table and Wood Bench both have rectangular surfaces supported by four legs with oval sections.

Barber and Osgerby furniture for Vitra

Tapered aluminium elements connect the legs to the tops, which have curved edges to create a slimmer profile.

Barber and Osgerby furniture for Vitra

Both are available in natural oak, core-smoked oak and American walnut.



The products were first shown as prototypes at Milan's Salone Internazionale del Mobile in April and will be displayed at the 100% Design trade show at Earl's Court from 17 to 20 September, as part of London Design Festival 2014.

Barber and Osgerby furniture for Vitra

Barber and Osgerby are also creating a giant rotating sculpture that will be installed at the V&A Museum during the festival.

Barber and Osgerby furniture for Vitra

Other launches set to take place in London will include a stool by Industrial Facility that joins its Branca family of wooden furniture and circular chairs made from coloured carbon-fibre.