Molteni&C’s Soleva outdoor collection presents a series of seating and lounge pieces designed by Vincent Van Duysen, built around a continuous tubular aluminum frame. The structure defines chairs, armchairs, and sofas through a consistent linear outline with softened curves. Vertical slats in marine plywood form the backrest and support surfaces, finished with an EVA coating that adds a smooth tactile layer. The collection includes dining chairs, lounge seating, and multi-seat sofas arranged as a coordinated system across outdoor environments.
Molteni&C’s system incorporates cushions made from polyurethane inserts wrapped in water-repellent, recyclable fibers, paired with polyester back cushions across seating elements. The components are produced in powder-coated finishes such as white and green, with variations across different seating formats. The collection extends across terraces, gardens, and verandas, with individual pieces maintaining consistent proportions, materials, and construction details throughout the range.
Architectural Outdoor Seating
Molteni&C’s Soleva Collection Has Modular Aluminum Furniture
Trend Themes
1. Modular Aluminum Framing - A continuous tubular aluminum frame standardizes connection points and load-bearing geometry, enabling easily reconfigurable product families that can upend conventional bespoke outdoor furniture production.
2. Sustainable Recyclable Outdoor Textiles - Water-repellent, recyclable fiber wraps and polyurethane inserts point to material systems that reduce lifecycle waste while preserving performance expectations in exposed environments.
3. Coordinated System Design - A unified aesthetic and proportional logic across seating formats creates platform-based offerings that shift value from individual pieces to adaptable, site-specific ensembles.
Industry Implications
1. Outdoor Furniture Manufacturing - Standardized modular components and powder-coating finishes create opportunities for manufacturers to pivot from craft-driven production toward mass-custom, kit-based assembly models.
2. Hospitality and Outdoor Experience Design - Consistency in scale and material across terraces and verandas enables venue operators to deploy cohesive, brand-aligned outdoor environments that change guest experience economics.
3. Materials and Coatings Industry - EVA coatings, marine plywood slats, and recyclable textiles indicate a demand for specialized surface treatments and composite systems tailored to durability and recyclability in exterior applications.