Some pieces of furniture simply belong in a room. Others have enough wow factor to totally define it! With its sculptural egg shaped shell and unmistakable Space Age silhouette, the OVALIA armchair falls firmly into the latter category. First created in the late 1960’s, its enclosed form was designed to create a sense of privacy and escape – something that feels particularly appealing in today’s open-plan homes… somewhere to sit back and escape into a world of your own.
In 2026, Roche Bobois is bringing the OVALIA armchair by Danish designer Henrik Thor-Larsen back into focus with a contemporary edition that preserves the character of the 1968 original while adapting its comfort, finishes and functionality for the way we live today. The release also draws on Roche Bobois’s longstanding connection with Scandinavian design, dating back to the 1960’s when the brand helped introduce French audiences to a new generation of bold and innovative furniture.
The original OVALIA emerged at a time when furniture designers were experimenting with new materials, industrial processes and an optimism about technology that shaped the Space Age aesthetic. Thor-Larsen was part of this generation of Scandinavian designers, approaching seating not simply as an object but as an experience.
Presented in 1968, OVALIA became one of his most recognisable designs. Its organic outer form and cocoon-like interior were conceived to create a protected space where the person sitting inside could withdraw from their surroundings. Thor-Larsen describes the original concept as a “protective cocoon”, intended as a peaceful sanctuary in which the imagination could wander.
That sense of enclosure feels particularly relevant in contemporary interiors. As homes have become increasingly open, furniture is often being asked to create smaller zones within larger spaces. Positioned in a living room, library, bedroom or private retreat, OVALIA can provide a defined place to read, listen to music or simply sit away from the activity around it, while its distinctive profile gives the room a strong sculptural element.
For the new edition, Roche Bobois has retained the visual language of Thor-Larsen’s original design while making a series of updates to its comfort and use. The backrest inclination has been revised, the seat is now mounted on elastic straps and an integrated headrest creates a more enveloping sitting position.
Armchair
Upholstered in Harmonie fabric. Tufted seat and back.
Fiberglass frame with a glossy or matte lacquer finish (several colors
available). Swivel base in metal with a satin chrome finish.
W 92 x H 131 x D 93 cm
There is also a distinctly contemporary addition hidden within the shell. A magnetic system allows a smartphone to be positioned inside the chair so users can enjoy audio or video content within its enclosed environment. It’s a small technological update that sits naturally with the futuristic thinking behind the original 1968 design rather than competing with it.
Customisation has also been expanded for the 2026 edition. The fibreglass shell is available in six exclusive colourways, alongside a broad selection of fabrics, giving the chair the ability to move from statement piece to something more restrained depending on the interior. A coordinating ottoman and cocktail table have also been introduced to complete the setting.
Ottoman
Upholstered in Harmonie fabric. Tufted seat.
Fiberglass frame with a glossy or matte lacquer finish (several colors
available). Base in metal with a satin chrome finish.
0 60 x H 60 cm
The armchair itself is upholstered in Harmonie fabric with a tufted seat and back, while its fibreglass frame is offered with a glossy or matte lacquer finish and sits on a satin chrome-finished metal swivel base. The accompanying ottoman carries through the tufted upholstery and fibreglass shell, while the cocktail table replaces upholstery with a coloured satin-glass top.
Each OVALIA also carries an exclusive medal displaying Henrik Thor-Larsen’s name and the date of the 2026 edition, distinguishing this release as part of the continuing history of the design. The model is additionally FSC™ mixed certified, incorporating materials sourced from FSC™ certified forests and other controlled sources.
Cocktail table
Top in colored satin glass. Fiberglass frame with a glossy or matte lacquer finish
(several colors available). Fixed base in metal with a satin chrome finish.
0 60 x H 60 cm
Nearly six decades after it first appeared, OVALIA still looks remarkably futuristic. Perhaps that is what makes its return so interesting. Rather than altering the design simply to make it look new, Roche Bobois has retained the qualities that made the original memorable and updated the elements that influence how it feels to actually live with it.
For homes where furniture is chosen as much for its design pedigree and personality as its practical purpose, OVALIA once again makes a compelling case for giving one exceptional piece room to stand out.
A 2/1015 Pacific Highway, Roseville, Sydney NSW
P 0283 765 084
E sydney@roche-bobois.com
W roche-bobois.com/en-AU/
