Almora

It takes its name from the Indian region that offers a breathtaking view of the Himalayas and, in the words of its designers, aspires to be “a refuge from the world, a place to contemplate and read, from which to admire magnificent snow-capped peaks. Protective like a second skin, enveloping like a soft blanket”. ALMORA is a fully-fledged member of the category of armchairs that become the protagonists of a domestic space, because they not only perform the function of offering relaxation but also evoke symbolic meanings, linked to welcoming, to the nest, to the womb, to hospitality. ALMORA is made up of two shells: one for the seat and one for the backrest, both with a conical shape and made of white painted plastic material that rest on a five-spoke swivel base in cast aluminum. A third element is the headrest, made of curved oak with a padded internal part, which is inserted into the backrest while appearing slightly detached from it.
The most interesting formal aspect lies in the balanced composition of the different elements, materials and coverings that include fabric, leather and shearling. The overlapping of the headrest, backrest and seat is entrusted to a mechanical joint that is not revealed. Everything is detailed like a tailor-made garment. A pouf with a disc base and a partially padded curved wooden seat, serves as a footrest.
Almora marks the debut of a new collaboration between B&B Italia and London-based studio Doshi Levien, born from the partnership between Nipa Doshi of Indian origin and Jonathan Levien, Scottish, both trained at the Royal College of Art. They have distinguished themselves over the last decade for their original approach, which synthesises technology and craftsmanship, artistic vision and cultural plurality.