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Alcove Sofa

Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, 2006/2021

The fundamental concept behind the Alcove product line – creating places of shelter and seclusion – is especially evident in the Alcove Highback Sofa. Within the high side and back panels of the Alcove Highback Sofa, sitters are shielded both visually and acoustically from the surrounding environment. This effect is even more pronounced when two sofas are positioned across from each other to make a 'room within a room'.

With slightly lower panels, the comfortable Alcove Sofa is an inviting spot for open, animated conversation – or simply a place to read, chat or enjoy a relaxing break.

Information

Environmental Product Passport

Carbon footprint
The carbon footprint stands for the amount of greenhouse gas emissions (also referred to as carbon emissions) generated throughout a product's entire life cycle. The carbon footprint is most commonly expressed in CO2 equivalents (CO2e) as a standard measure for the warming effect of all greenhouse gases.
Recycling
Following the principle of the circular economy, Vitra uses the largest amount of recycled and recyclable materials possible.This proportion will increase as a result of ongoing product development.
Material composition
Vitra uses a wide range of materials that must all withstand stringent internal and external testing procedures. If a new material is found that is better for the environment and meets Vitra's quality criteria, suitable products are executed in that material.
Packaging & logistics
Vitra uses detailed information to elaborate targeted optimisation of transport routes. Preference is given to rail transport whenever feasible, and Vitra aims for the most efficient capacity management possible when using lorries. Packaging serves to protect the product and minimise the transport volume. Packaging is reduced wherever possible and materials are optimised in terms of their impact on the environment.
Supply chain
Vitra purchases its raw materials and components almost exclusively from suppliers in Europe, which simplifies compliance with uniform statutory standards and shortens transport routes. Vitra maintains long-term relationships with many of its suppliers, some spanning several decades, which is a key advantage for the further development of products, technologies and materials.
Certificates
Vitra purchases its raw materials and components almost exclusively from suppliers in Europe, which simplifies compliance with uniform statutory standards and shortens transport routes. Vitra maintains long-term relationships with many of its suppliers, some spanning several decades, which is a key advantage for the further development of products, technologies and materials.
Greenguard
The GREENGUARD label for indoor air quality recognises products that contribute to the creation of healthier indoor environments.

GS
With the GS seal for tested safety, a state-authorised inspection institute certifies the suitability and safety of the construction and monitors production at regular intervals.

Ergonomics Approved
The 'Ergonomics Approved' certificate confirms the fulfilment of ergonomic requirements and testing criteria that exceed the minimum legal regulations for office swivel chairs.
Here you can download the Environmental Product Passport as a PDF. If you have any questions about the Environmental Product Passport or other concerns about sustainability, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]
Environmental Product Passport (PDF)
Product family

Alcove

The 'room in a room' is a concept that Vitra has intensively pursued over many years in collaboration with the designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. In 2006, the idea of mobile micro-architectural elements led to the development of the Alcove family, which has been continuously expanded with new models ever since. Nearly one-and-a-half metres high, the side and back panels of the Alcove Highback Sofa are padded and covered with fabric to offer effective sound absorption, a casual appearance and inviting comfort. With these characteristics, Alcove was perfectly timed for contemporary offices concepts, when Apple changed human communication habits forever with the launch of the first iPhone in 2007. What was just an intuition at that time has now become a reality: the physical decoupling of communication and personal work. Over the past years, this development has transformed the office into a social hub. Personal work can be performed anywhere – at home, in a café, in a coworking space or at the pool. Consequently, the office must offer new options for users and provide a flexible overall concept for companies. Alcove’s product features extend beyond the properties of a simple piece of furniture: with side and back panels in various heights, Alcove units form rooms within a room, creating ideal spaces for concentrated work or for small meetings. The models in the Alcove family comprise two groups: Alcove and Alcove Plus. The various products in the Alcove group feature a visible frame with ample floor clearance, lending them a sense of airiness, flexibility and lightness. Depending on the model, variants are available with low side and back panels to facilitate communication, with castors for added agility, or with upholstery in a choice of firmness. Alcove Plus elements differ from Alcove as a result of their panels, which extend to the floor and also conceal the frame, and optional mobile partition screens that can be attached to the high side panels with zip fasteners. This serves, for example, to increase privacy, establish traffic patterns within the office, create additional niches or form larger structures. Alcove and Alcove Plus are also ideal for mixed configurations that bring structure to open layouts and their work processes. And thanks to the flexible design of these structures, they can be quickly and easily adapted to new requirements. The quilted fabric-covered panels create a feeling of casual comfort and security, while effectively absorbing ambient noise.

This product was designed by

Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

The brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec live and work in Paris. Their oeuvre ranges from small everyday objects to architectural projects. They have worked with Vitra since 2000 and have contributed numerous designs to both the office and home collections.