Dezeen Magazine

Jasper Morrison presents "super-normal" furniture collection for Vitra

Milan 2016: British designer Jasper Morrison's new collection for Swiss brand Vitra includes a modular sofa, a cubic-looking armchair and a simple plastic chair (+ slideshow).

Jasper Morrison collection for Vitra
Jasper Morrison has designed a modular sofa, a cubic-looking armchair and a simple plastic chair for Vitra

Staying true to Morrison's so-called super-normal aesthetic, the collection is made up of products including a sofa, an armchair, a plastic chair and a circular-shaped table, which share an unfussy appearance that belies the complexity of the designs.

"Jasper Morrison is one of the most successful industrial designers of the past few decades," said Vitra. "Together with his colleague Naoto Fukasawa, he defined the term super-normal, which in his opinion answers the question of what good design should really be."

Jasper Morrison collection for Vitra
Morrison's Soft Modular Sofa is made up of voluminous cushions upon a plinth-like black stand

"In his work, he strives to create good examples of understated, useful and responsible design," said the brand.

The largest piece in the collection is the Soft Modular Sofa, made up of voluminous cushions over a black plinth.

"The Soft Modular Sofa is Jasper Morrison's current interpretation of what has become a modern classic: the low-slung modular sofa with a decidedly horizontal emphasis," said Vitra.

"Due to its shape, the Soft Modular Sofa functions like an architectural element that can be subtly integrated into any interior."

Jasper Morrison collection for Vitra
The Occasional Lounge Chair is based on a cubic shape

The Occasional Lounge Chair is based on a cubic shape, and is made up of clean lines, straight edges and a polygonal body that tapers downward.

While both the sofa and lounge chair are made from plush cushions, a seat based on classic wooden chairs is made completely of plastic.

Jasper Morrison collection for Vitra
The Occasional Low Tables are intended to be suitable for a wide variety of interior settings

"At first glance, the All Plastic Chair is reminiscent of the simple, classic wooden chairs that have been familiar in Europe for many decades," said Vitra. "Utilising a new material, the chair represents a significant advancement in the appearance and functionality of this typology."

Its frame consists of a rigid, high-strength polypropylene resin. The seat and backrest are made from a more flexible plastic to adapt to the contours of the sitter's body.

Jasper Morrison collection for Vitra
The side tables feature circular tops sat upon die-cast aluminium bases

The Occasional Low Tables are intended for a wide variety of interior settings.

These side tables feature circular tops, sat upon die-cast aluminium base plates that can slide underneath low sofa frames – like that of Morrison's Soft Modular Sofa.

Jasper Morrison collection for Vitra
An all-plastic seat is based on classic wooden chairs

Jasper Morrison is considered one of the world's leading industrial designers, and his iconic products include the 1994 Bottle storage rack and the 1999 Air Chair.

The designer's latest collection for Vitra was presented at the Salone del Mobile furniture fair during Milan design week, which took place from 12 to 17 April.

Jasper Morrison collection for Vitra
The All Plastic Chairs were on display at Vitra's stand at the Salone del Mobile furniture fair, along with Morrison's other new designs

Earlier this year he defended the Salone del Mobile furniture fair in Milan during an interview with Dezeen.

"I don't think there's anything to match it," he said. "It's nice to go to Stockholm or be at the London Design Festival but it's not an answer to Milan."

Other products launching at this year's event included Hadid's Mew table for Sawaya & Moroni – one of her last pieces of furniture design – and a sofa by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso that uses knitted straps to fasten its cushions together.