Timeless Items & Taste
Soriana Armchair
In the history of modern furniture, few pieces embody comfort and structure as elegantly as the Soriana Armchair.
Designed in 1969 by Afra Scarpa and Tobia Scarpa, Soriana is built around a simple yet radical idea: comfort as form. Instead of relying on a rigid internal frame, its shape is defined by generous, soft volumes held together by an external metal structure.
This unconventional approach places Soriana between formal and informal seating. It feels relaxed and open, yet carefully composed. The chair does not impose itself on a space, but rather settles into it — confident, calm, and inviting.
In 1970, this philosophy was recognised with the prestigious Compasso d’Oro award, honouring a design that achieved remarkable complexity through straightforward means.
A Living Design Philosophy
Soriana represents more than a seating solution. It reflects a moment in design history when comfort, material honesty, and experimentation were allowed to coexist.
The visible metal clamp does not hide its function. Instead, it celebrates it. Structure becomes part of the aesthetic. Softness becomes architecture. Form follows feeling.
This balance is precisely why Soriana has remained relevant for over five decades.
Today’s version, produced by Cassina, continues this logic with contemporary responsibility in mind. Internal padding is made from BioFoam microspheres of plant origin, developed through the Cassina LAB project, alongside recycled PET fibre from Plastic Bank.
It is heritage refined through modern conscience.
How to Use Soriana in Interior Design
Low Living
Soriana works best in grounded, low-profile layouts. Pair it with low tables, soft rugs, and open floor space so its volume feels intentional rather than heavy. This allows the chair to breathe within the room.
Informal Seating Zone
In open-plan homes, Soriana is ideal for creating relaxed seating areas without building physical barriers. It defines space through presence, not partitions.
A Single Statement Piece
One Soriana can carry an entire room. Place it where movement happens naturally — near a window, between zones, or slightly off-centre — and allow its sculptural form to do the work.
Softening Structured Interiors
In spaces dominated by clean lines, stone, glass, or concrete, Soriana introduces warmth and tactility. It balances discipline with ease, without losing elegance.
What to Consider When Choosing One
Upholstery Choice
The character of Soriana changes dramatically with material.
Textiles emphasise its relaxed, lounge-like nature.
Leather sharpens the silhouette and adds architectural clarity.
Choose based on whether you want softness or structure to lead the narrative.
Originality
Authenticity matters. An original Cassina Soriana achieves a precise balance between padding, metal structure, and material tension. This balance is extremely difficult to replicate well.
Look for verified production and documentation when investing.
Budget & Long-Term Value
An original Soriana sits in a high price range. It is not an impulse purchase. It is an investment in design heritage, presence, and longevity — rather than short-term versatility.
Ask yourself: Are you investing in function, or in legacy?
Single vs Pair
Using two Soriana armchairs or sofas requires generous floor area. Ensure circulation remains natural and the room does not become visually compressed. Space is part of the composition.
A Timeless Presence
Soriana does not follow trends. It exists beyond them.
It does not demand attention through ornament. It earns it through balance, proportion, and emotional comfort. It invites you to sit, slow down, and remain.
As Tobia Scarpa once described it:
“Soriana is a breath of essential relaxation.”
In a world increasingly driven by speed and spectacle, Soriana reminds us that true luxury lies in restraint, intelligence, and enduring comfort.
At Vandore Heritage, we value such objects not as décor — but as companions to a well-lived life.