Sabine Marcelis debuts a new chapter in her design practice with Lisse, an upholstered collection for laCividina presented during Milan Design Week 2025. Known for her sculptural work in glass and stone, Marcelis moves into a softer medium, applying her precise spatial thinking to the realm of comfort and ergonomics.
This evolution began with a previous commission for a Swiss luxury skincare brand, where she designed both furniture and a temporary space unveiled at Art Basel Miami. That experience prompted a reconsideration of material, pushing her toward fabric, cushioning, and curved forms. “I usually work with rigid materials,” Marcelis explained. “But I wanted to capture fluidity and ergonomics in one continuous form.”
Fluid Form Meets Functional Adaptability
Named after the French word for “soft,” Lisse functions as more than just a sofa, it acts as a spatial system. The design eliminates the typical modular structure seen in contemporary seating. Instead, the sofa serves as a central element, with additional components like poufs and mirrored units arranged freely around it.
This approach supports both private and public settings. Lisse suits domestic interiors but works equally well in high-traffic areas such as hotel lobbies or office lounges. Its scale and fluidity allow for adaptable configurations without added structural complexity.
Collaboration Rooted in Shared Design References
The idea for Lisse grew from Marcelis’s long-standing admiration for Pierre Paulin’s Osaka sofa, a piece she owns and regularly references in her work. This shared appreciation sparked a natural collaboration with laCividina, known for producing the Osaka model. That connection set the foundation for a collection that speaks to continuity, comfort, and architectural presence through upholstery.
Together, Marcelis and laCividina built a collection that focuses on form without interruption. Every piece avoids excessive seams, preserving the visual clarity and shape integrity that Marcelis envisioned.
Material Innovation Through Febrik’s Mylla
For Lisse, Marcelis introduced Mylla, a recycled polyester textile by Dutch brand Febrik. This fabric, used here for the first time, supports the collection’s single-material language. laCividina processed the textile in a way that minimized visible seams, preserving the curved geometry.
“I worked closely with laCividina to ensure that everything had as few seams as possible,” said Marcelis. “When using organic shapes, there are usually a lot of seams to achieve that result. But for this sofa, there are only two visible seams in the whole piece.”
Shaped by Gesture, Designed for Use
Lisse begins with one continuous movement, a drawn curve, that forms the basis for the entire structure. The result is a sofa that feels organic, adaptive, and spatially generous. Marcelis has designed it to support multiple ways of sitting, reclining, or gathering.
Rather than freeze a space into a fixed format, Lisse invites interaction. Users can change its composition as their needs evolve, creating fluid layouts through simple spatial decisions.
Milan Launch at laCividina Showroom
laCividina presented the Lisse collection at its showroom during Milan Design Week 2025. The launch marks a new step for both the brand and the designer, who together propose a fresh direction for upholstered furniture, one that prioritizes form through movement and structure through material precision.
