patrick jouin designs pedrali furniture to help maximize life outdoors

‘we need to design to better fit with our outdoors,’ explains patrick jouin to designboom as he, together with pedrali, design to maximize life outside. in the minds of the long-time collaborators, this is down to two key reasons stemming from the pandemic: new social distancing rules, and the attractiveness of nature during and after quarantine. our homes are being redesigned to welcome us for longer periods whilst the only escapes are literally that – to step outside into our gardens, terraces or balconies. these outdoor spaces have become as treasured – or even more so – as our indoors in terms of character, comfort and well-being. our outdoor furniture needs to match these new demands at home, for alfresco dining, and even at work.

all images courtesy of pedrali

the transition to furnishing outdoors is not new to pedrali; it is where their roots lie. mario pedrali founded his workshop in the 1960s, as he began producing wrought iron garden furniture. to this day, the italian brand continues to create oases of outdoor comfort with collections for gardens, terraces and balconies. these balance personality with functionality and beauty with durability as they turn the outdoors into relaxing retreats.

introduced in 2017, the pedrali reva family – designed by patrick jouin – combines versatility and practicality with elegance. smooth lines shape the thin, clean frames of a three-seater sofa and lounge armchair. generously sized cushions, which can be removed or places freely, embellish the structured with a soft touch. the family then grew to include an equally as elegant sun lounger.

‘the idea of reva was to recreate the comfort of a bed of pillows for seating,’ explains patrick. ‘it references an indian bed where it has just a frame with chords. our design has a super light and simple cast aluminum frame, which evokes an appearance of elegance. the suspension system is then made from weather-resistant polypropylene to create a solid yet stretchy, comfortable feel. super puffy, removable cushions soften the image and adds even more comfort.’

the collection’s inherent elegance and comfort has been spun into a more natural edition with the reva twist, again designed by patrick jouin. continuing the use of polypropylene, the chords now wrap around the steel back and armrests. it accentuates the soft, light lines of the design as well as the ample use of pillows. this more refined, more open touch helps the design match the urban outdoor setting even more so.

‘the reva twist wraps the supporting chords around the arm and backrests as well as underneath the soft cushions. the design makes for a more relaxed and natural appearance that I really like,’ remarks patrick. ‘this variation gives the family two personalities: one appears more strict and modern; the second looks a little bit more natural.’

the use of materials – polyurethane chords with die-cast aluminum – ensure the thin structure is lightweight, easily moved, and also stackable when not in use. the choices also deliver high durability to withstand weather and keep its elegant image. they are easy to clean, maintain and santize to suit the modern day. this attention to detail makes the new design a perfect companion to enrich your open-air spaces.

‘outdoor furniture needs to be played with,’ confirms the designer. ‘the reva can be moved to be near the swimming pool, to follow the sun, or for storage. its simple structure means less material and ease of manoeuvrability. all the materials are also suited for the outdoors. I would not call it an object; it is a design to enable comfortable situations and moments. the cushions can be placed and then removed in three seconds to fit your needs.’

the balance of functionality, versatility and an elegant appearance is also found in the elliot tables by patrick jouin. the series of surfaces are available in a range of finishes and bright colors to match any setting, inside or out. they display an architectural as well as natural design that looks solid yet is lightweight to freely move around.

‘the elliot is a very simple product but crafted in the detail. it initially appears minimalistic but then the viewer notices the many legs that stem from its central foot. if you were to reverse its shape, it would like like a tree. in parisian parks, for example, outdoor furniture is historically inspired by nature. elliot continues this story,’ concludes patrick jouin.

collection info:

brand: pedrali

products: reva twist and elliot

designer: patrick jouin

setting: outdoors