A First Look at The New Roche Bobois ‘Nativ’ Collection

Designer Raphael Navot debuts his first furniture collection Nativ for Roche Bobois.

Raphael Navot is known for his unique and modern approach to woodwork. €œWood fascinates me, all the different patinas and characteristics that develop over time,€ says the designer. And it is this organic, evolving sensibility that underlines Nativ, a new series of sofas, chairs, tables and bookshelves created for Roche Bobois, that pushes the very boundaries of what contemporary furniture can look like and feel like.

€œOrganic forms used throughout the collection echo ourbody language,€ says Navot. When naming the Nativ collection, the designerpondered on how the human body has hardlychanged in some 200,000 years. €œYet, the world of design is constantly lookingfor new methods of expression,€ he says. €œWe are so familiar with these organicforms because they are part of us. They don’t necessarily just fit in with whatis happening today€”they could have existed before or after. A language that isuniversal.€

The Nativ collection, whichis in stores at Roche Bobois now, is sensual, textured, vibrant and reliesheavily on natural materials like solid wood, wool, cotton, ceramics andmineral coatings to tell a new story in design.

Here is a preview of key pieces from the new Nativcollection:

Underline Sofa

This elegant, low-profilefour-seater is a new design classic with a base of solid fir and pine that’swrapped in down and soft nubuck leather. The large toss cushions are made with100% goose and duck feathers. The Underline series also features loveseats andlounge chairs available in different colours, fabrics and leathers. €œThesematerials create a warm, welcoming atmosphere, while also offering truecomfort,€ says the designer.

Dot Armchair

The orb is reimagined inthe refined and ultra-luxe, swivelling Dot armchair. Smooth curves in sumptuousfabrics will make conversation nooks and seating arrangements irresistible.

The Patchwork Table

The anchor of the Nativcollection, the Patchwork table is a master class in marquetry with 320individual wooden pieces coming together to resemble an enigmatic woodworkpuzzle. The wood grain varies on each distressed oak piece to highlight thematerial, and thick grey joints enhance the graphic lines of the tabletop, whichsits on curved legs. 

Axle Sideboard

This too is an example of how Navot’s collection isredesigning the classics. Here, the rectangular sideboard is transformed intosomething more organic: doors curve inward on an oval shape and hide a secretrotating bar in the centre, flanked by shelves on either side. Instead of wood,doors are upholstered in lightly grained, eco-friendly nubuck. 

Primordial Bookcase

A curiously shaped closet for showcasing curios and collectionsof worldwide treasures€”the Primordial bookcase defies convention with arock-like finish and an irregular, seemingly hand-formed silhouette. It feelsmore sculpture than bookshelf; an intriguing piece for the artistic, theplayful and the interesting.

To view the rest of the innovative Nativ collection at Roche Bobois, visit: roche-bobois.com.