Camaleonda, the modular seating system designed by Mario Bellini in 1970, makes its comeback 50 years later, speaking a contemporary language. The sofa preserves all the elements that have made it a contemporary classic: the 90×90 cm seat module, with or without backrest and armrest, the generous padding that forms the characteristic capitonné design and the system of cables, hooks and rings which defines the characteristic look and modularity.
“Camaleonda is a name that I invented in 1970 by mixing two words: the first is the name of an extraordinary animal, the chameleon (camaleonte in Italian), that can adapt to the environment around it and the word ‘onda’, wave, that indicates the curve of the sea and the desert. Both these words describe the shape and function of this sofa.” – Mario Bellini
In its reissue, Camaleonda preserves the elements that have made it a contemporary classic. By mutual agreement, Mario Bellini and B&B Italia have decided to keep the cm 90×90 seat module, together with the backrest and the armrest, faithful to the original project, whose original cutting pattern was used for the new edition.
The generous polyurethane padding that forms the characteristic capitonné design remains unchanged, still manufactured with the innovative system of cables, hooks and rings created by Bellini in 1970, which defines the characteristic look and modularity. Thanks to the tie-rods and the rings, in fact, the modules can be unhooked and recombined at will, allowing the sofa to adapt to an evolving taste and the dynamic needs of those using it.
The fundamental characteristic of Camaleonda is its unlimited modularity, a geometric pattern that allows each element to become a sort of enormous pixel through which to define your home environment. By hooking and unhooking seats, backrests and armrests, you can enjoy the luxury of changing your mind as many times as you desire, moving and redesigning the space.
A concept which is dear to Mario Bellini: “Of all the objects I have designed, Camaleonda is perhaps the best in terms of its sense of freedom. There are infinite number of possible configurations.”
The padding has been thoroughly updated by the B&B Italia’s Research & Development Centre, making it even more comfortable than the original version. Thus the magical balance between the rigorous geometry of the square and the welcoming roundness of the padding is confirmed, further underlining the elasticity and tactile ergonomics that characterize many of Mario Bellini’s design projects.
- Name: Camaleonda
- Brand: B&B Italia
- Product: Furniture
- Designer: Mario Bellini
- Country: Italy
