Expormim updates its Lapala collection

Outdoor furniture company Expormim has revisited the past by reissuing its Lapala chair collection — a classic design created by the design studio Lievore Altherr Molina in 1998 — and in doing so has revived the typically Mediterranean style of hand-woven chair.

It’s designed for patios and terraces and its finishes make it highly resistant to the elements since the chairs are made of woven, nautical, polyester rope and a painted, stainless-steel frame — materials which can be customised. The collection, suiatable for both contract and domestic markets, comprises a dining-room armchair, a chair, armchair and stool — all lightweight, versatile and restrained. What’s more, this updated version of Lapala is much more comfortable and ergonomic. Such features — in addition to the collection’s flexibilty — result in a design that reflects the high-calibre, handcrafted work carried out in Expormim’s main workshop in Mogente, Valencia.
 
Alberto Lievore, Jeannette Altherr y Manel Molina, who co-founded their studio Lievore Altherr Molina in 1991, have injected harmony, a sense of balance and a seductive aesthetic into this design. Since it was founded, the studio has undertaken product design, consultancy work and art direction for several companies, consistently offering them tailor-made ideas. Throughout its career, the studio has created designs for several Spanish, Italian, North American and German firms.

For over 50 years, Expormim has manufactured cane and wicker furniture with a handcrafted, Mediterranean look. A notable recent design is its Käbu sofa, designed by Javier Pastor, its Tina collection by Italian, Barcelona-based architect Benedetta Tagliabue and the Nautica swing chair by Mut Design, which scooped a Red Dot award in 2014.