The upcoming Salone del Mobile 2012 will see design duo Roberto and Ludovica Palomba present Fenix, a new sofa for furniture manufacturer Driade.

The pair, who collected a flurry of awards for a selection of their designs in 2011, have created a sectional piece which, at first glance appears to be a nod to design trends of the 1990s.

Emphasising the sense of suspension from the ground is a thin metal structure that eases the volumetric impact from above. The clean lines and precise, subtle graphics are not included at the cost of comfort with Roberto and Ludovica describing the piece as "A fixed modular seating system" adding that they consider it "a graphic sofa with simple lines but rich in details. Softness, comfort and minimalism merge, creating a unique sofa".

Contrasting materials serve to increase the aesthetic eclecticism of the design, with the seat and back cushion fabric offering both tonal and textural relief from the tan leather of the armrests and base belts. The metal structure, with its cross shaped support, lightens the visual impact of the upper part of the sofa, creating a piece that is both bold yet unobtrusive.