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Benjamin Hubert: Prop

Prop is a furniture collection, encompassing a sofa, armchair, side table and coffee table, designed by Benjamin Hubert Ltd for Italian brand Moroso.

“The Prop collection began with the sofa, and the concept stems from the studio’s research into the traditional construction of furniture within this typology.” Explains Benjamin Hubert.

The design took an honest approach to the construction of the sofa by exposing and celebrating the timber framework, which is conventionally concealed within the upholstery.

Examining an existing manufacturing process in a new light, the studio uses the exposed framework of the sofa and armchair as a mould for the seating area. A sheet of aero-ply is clamped and fastened to the solid timber structure, simplifying the entire construction process and removing the need for complex tooling.

The Prop sofa and armchair are upholstered in a softly padded fabric in collaboration with Dutch textile manufacturer, Innofa. This upholstery is fixed to the framework via a series of zips, to be easily interchangeable or removed for washing.

Benjamin Hubert, Prop Collection, Moroso

The design language of the Prop side table and coffee table is also informed by this overtly structural approach. Each is based on a simple, geometric timber fame, which forms the products’ structure and strength, inlaid with a thin plywood surface.

The Prop collection has been designed for comfort, with generous proportions and soft upholstery rather than a strict architectural form. The proportions are based on the studio’s research into human behaviours and how users perceive comfort in both domestic and commercial environments.