Maralunga Sofa

Vico Magistretti for Cassina — Maralunga Sofa, 1973

The story behind the Maralunga has become part of design lore. When Cassina founder Cesare Cassina first saw the prototype, he reportedly punched the backrest in frustration — causing it to crumple forward into itself. Magistretti looked at the collapsed form and reportedly said: “Right, it looks perfect to me like that.” The result was the Maralunga’s defining feature: a chain-mechanism backrest that tilts freely between a low, relaxed position and an upright, supportive one. The idea sounds simple; the execution required months of engineering. Presented in 1973 and awarded the Compasso d’Oro the following year, the Maralunga has remained in continuous production ever since.

The sofa’s form is deliberately quiet — enveloping but not overwhelming, warm without sentimentality. The adjustable headrest works through a concealed chain mechanism embedded in the cushion itself, allowing the transition between positions to feel effortless. In 2014, Cassina introduced the Maralunga 40 (with piping) and Maralunga 40-S (with fully removable fabric upholstery) to mark the design’s 40th anniversary. In 2024, the mechanism was further refined to offer seven additional degrees of inclination. Available as an armchair and two- or three-seat sofa.

About the Designer: Ludovico “Vico” Magistretti (1920–2006) was one of the founding figures of Italian design. Born in Milan, he studied architecture at the Politecnico di Milano and went on to design some of the most beloved objects of the twentieth century — including the Eclisse table lamp for Artemide (Compasso d’Oro, 1967) and the Atollo lamp for Oluce. The Maralunga is one of three of his designs awarded the Compasso d’Oro.

Specifications:

Designer: Vico Magistretti

Year: 1973 (Compasso d’Oro 1974)

Mechanism: Chain-mechanism adjustable backrest (concealed in cushion)

Frame: Steel with elastic webbing

Padding: Polyurethane foam, polyester padding

Upholstery: Fabric or leather (Cassina catalogue)

Available sizes: 2-seat (approx. 166–190 cm W) and 3-seat (approx. 238–274 cm W); also armchair

Country of manufacture: Italy

Lead time: 12–16 weeks from order confirmation

Warranty: Cassina manufacturer’s warranty applies

Available Through Le Belle Arti: Le Belle Arti is an authorised Cassina dealer. The Maralunga is available to order in your choice of size, upholstery, and finish. Visit our Edmonton showroom or contact us to explore the full collection.

This piece is available in a wide range of upholstery options including premium fabrics and leathers, with multiple frame finishes and modular configurations to suit any interior.

For full specifications, materials, and configuration options, visit the Cassina official website.

Material: Steel frame, polyurethane foam, fabric or leather | Year: 1973 | Award: Compasso d'Or 1979 | Collection: Maralunga | Style: Sofa

Vico Magistretti (1920–2006) was a Milanese architect and designer whose Maralunga sofa (1973) introduced the first adjustable headrest in a production sofa — a typically clever functional innovation that won the Compasso d'Or in 1979. His Mex sofa is an earlier, equally beloved piece in the Cassina catalogue.

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