Ulisse Daybed

With Ulisse, Konstantin Grcic developed his idea of a daybed, combining the symbolic nature of a simple daybed with the materiality of an elegant and perfectly crafted piece of furniture in the tradition of modernism. The adjustment mechanism of the daybed and the cross-section of the legs are inspired by the classic designs of Charlotte Perriand and Eileen Gray, by their modernity and preciseness, and congenially fit in with the ClassiCon collection. Ulisse is a daybed that becomes a symbol for relaxing and comfort, and with its large, free-stretched reclining surface, almost looks like a pictogram of a daybed. In its simple, symbolic elegance, the daybed arouses associations with archaic furniture of African or Japanese origin that were sources of inspiration for many designers of modernism. Ulisse is thus much more than a purely functional piece of furniture: it becomes an expression of the connection between modernism and the present, a symbol for a moment of rest and luxury. With Ulisse, Konstantin Grcic continues his collaboration with ClassiCon, which began 25 years ago and resulted in successful designs such as the Diana side tables and the Pallas table. While his early designs for ClassiCon mainly dealt with industrial production and a technical-constructive aesthetic, Ulisse places an intentional emphasis on the quality of craftsmanship, production and materiality, which have become increasingly important in his more recent designs. Contrary to the use of semi-finished materials, working with solid wood requires every material thickness and detail to be precisely defined and requires the ability to produce them with the appropriate perfection. Ulisse thus becomes an important developmental step in the longstanding collaboration between ClassiCon and one of the most influential contemporary designers.