Dezeen Magazine

Muka Design Lab's Reves Chair has a backrest "like a shirt collar"

The quilted back of this chair by Spanish studio Muka Design Lab can be stood up straight or folded down.

Reves Chair by Muka Design Lab

Made from an oil-treated beech structure, the Reves Chair is upholstered in a two-tone quilted textile that is stiff enough to remain vertical without the need of supports.

When upright, the chair's back cocoons the user in a private space. It can also be folded down over the wooden frame, opening the sitter up to their environment.

Reves Chair by Muka Design Lab

"We wanted to design a chair that protects you like a child in a tent," Lucas Abajo of Muka Design Lab told Dezeen. "Also when we where finding the solution for a hood, we tried to make it like a shirt collar, and we investigated how we could construct this form."

Reves Chair by Muka Design Lab

The two configurations are designed to make it flexible for use in different situations.

Reves Chair by Muka Design Lab

"We wanted to make a space to read a book or to feel protected in, for example when you go alone to a library or a bar," said Abajo. "And also give the opportunity to chat with friends when the hood is folded down."

Reves Chair by Muka Design Lab

The chair is made by carpenters and craftsmen from La Rioja using locally sourced beech wood, commonly used for furniture in northern Spain. It is upholstered using eco-friendly fabrics by manufacturer Trevira.

Reves Chair by Muka Design Lab

The Reves Chair was shown as part of Nude – the young designer showcase at Valencia Design Week earlier this month – where Muka Design Lab were hoping to secure a manufacturer for production on a larger scale.

Reves Chair by Muka Design Lab

Other chairs with changeable backrests include Färg & Blanche's seats that can be dressed up in an assortment of garments and Bernotat & Co's coverings modelled on a grandma's dressing gown, baggy overalls and an oven mitt.