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Vincent Van Duysen debuts rattan chaise longue for B&B Italia at Milan Design Week 2026

architecture-design · 2026-04-21

Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen introduces his first piece for B&B Italia's collection—a chaise longue that reinterprets comfort through structural design. The elongated rattan-woven surface forms a gentle reclining loop, emphasizing tactile warmth and breathability. Van Duysen explains that the collection examines how structure shapes comfort and vice versa, with discreet framing allowing the seat's sensuous curve to dominate. His design philosophy balances precision with softness, architecture with the body, where subtle details like chamfers or continuous lines can transform familiar forms. The piece debuted during Milan Design Week 2026, as covered by Wallpaper* Design Editor Rosa Bertoli, who notes Van Duysen's minimalist rigor and precise silhouettes as foundational to his work. The chaise longue embodies his ethos while offering a modern take on comfort, with the material chosen for its organic lightness. Van Duysen emphasizes that every piece begins with structural gestures but ultimately serves the body and living experience. More information is available at bebitalia.com and vincentvanduysen.com.

Key facts

  • Vincent Van Duysen designed a new chaise longue for B&B Italia
  • This marks Van Duysen's debut in the B&B Italia collection
  • The design features an elongated rattan-woven surface forming a reclining loop
  • Material was selected for tactile warmth, breathability, and organic lightness
  • Van Duysen states the collection explores how structure shapes comfort and comfort gives meaning to structure
  • The structure remains discreet to highlight the seat's sensuous curve
  • Design balances structure and softness, precision and comfort, architecture and the body
  • Debuted at Milan Design Week 2026

Entities

Artists

  • Vincent Van Duysen
  • Rosa Bertoli

Institutions

  • B&B Italia
  • Wallpaper*
  • London Craft Week
  • Maison & Objet
  • The Italian Cultural Institute (London)
  • Clippings
  • Zaha Hadid Design
  • Kartell
  • Frieze Art Fair
  • Chart Architecture Award
  • Dutch Design Awards
  • DesignGuild Marks

Locations

  • Milan
  • Italy
  • Udine
  • London
  • United Kingdom

Sources