It's Got The Edge

Oran is a new modular sofa system designed by Mark Gabbertas for Allermuir. This comprehensive new range will be making its North American debut at this year’s NeoCon.

Characterized by the combination of a soft appearance and feel, with a precise and defined upholstery detail, the range includes an arm chair and a variety of sofas spanning from compact two-seater pieces to large L-shaped and Chaise units. Oran low level occasional tables complement and complete the range.

Oran was born out of a desire to create a seating program that was suitable for both workplace and hospitality applications, but had the ease and relaxed appeal of a domestic design. Achieving this balance was key to the concept. The upholstery design features a deliberate juxtaposition of the structured and the unstructured, the rigorous and the gentle, the defined and the ambiguous.

The ideology of the Oran system maximizes the potential number of units and configurations from the least number of seat and frame sizes possible. 35 unique units can be arranged in any way wanted. Nothing limits one unit attaching to another one. It is almost impossible to imagine a configuration that is not achievable with the range of unit sizes and types available.

Oran’s rounded and voluminous interior and waterfall sides are bridled by a defined seam which leads the eye around the profile of the sofa. The welt seam detail provides a distinctive finish especially when seen with the oblique seam at the front of the arm. Loose cushions incorporate a variation on this detail and can be placed as desired.

A slender and minimal powder coated aluminum frame and cast aluminum corner leg creates a consistent design language across the range that also balances the generosity of the sit. The frame is available in Black or Tusk Gray powder coat to complement any choice of fabric or leather upholstery. Oran tables feature a laminate faced TFL top in Matt Black or Tusk Gray to match their frame.

Behind Oran’s original design is innovation in manufacturing. Oran’s seats are crafted using a plywood frame with ‘Sytex’ webbing applied, using a bespoke machine that provides a consistency of tension, that is unachievable when using traditional hand webbing techniques.

The seat core uses a premium grade of foam that has robotically precision drilled holes with independently acting pocket springs inserted. The advantage over a solid foam core is the longevity of performance coupled with increased levels of comfort. A cushion topper is added, filled with a combination of rhomboid cut premium foam and china duck feathers. This high-end domestic furniture filling has been given a Gold Award by FIRA.

The chosen fabric or leather upholstery is laminated with a layer of foam and scrim. This stabilizes the material that, in turn, reduces the propensity of puddling and creasing and provides a more comfortable, satisfying feel, maintained for years to come.

“The Oran system is everything we ever wished to incorporate into a sofa program and hopefully everything that can be demanded of one. It is the result of a great deal of thinking concerning the logic of its geometry and modularity which has allowed this system to be one of the most flexible and efficient systems out there. We always intended Oran to stand the test of time in more ways than one.” Mark Gabbertas

Oran will be unveiled at NeoCon 2018. Visitors are welcome at the permanent Allermuir Showroom Suite 3-123 at The Merchandise Mart, Chicago.