At just a glance, the Elogio Sofa conjures a world of possibilities as connections construct themselves: lounging on a five-piece sectional with a large group; sitting quietly with a partner on a two-seater for intimate conversation; and gazing out a window from the chaise with a steamy mug in hand. Originally designed in 1974 by Afra and Tobia Scarpa as an evolution of their Erasmo sofa, this collection invites softness within the architectural structure, creating a sense of warmth in any configuration.
Taking its name from the Italian word for “praise” or “tribute,” Elogio is a testament to the beauty of domestic life, and the new freedom found within contemporary living. Revisited by Tobia Scarpa for GUBI in 2025, the original design has been subtly upgraded to enhance comfort, sustainability markers, and ease of use.
“When Afra and I first designed Elogio in 1974, modularity was almost a provocation, a way to question the fixed dimension of traditional domestic life,” Scarpa says. “Today, modularity seems to have become a necessity.”
People want – and need – furniture that adapts to an ever-changing lifestyle. And Elogio’s essence hasn’t changed, granting freedom of composition and allowing space to evolve with people’s needs and desires.
What enables this adaptability is an arrangement comprising three elements: two modules with side panels and one armless center module. These pieces may be used alone or configured into a wide range of options: linear setups, corner compositions, chaise lounges, or experimental arrangements like gossip chairs. This also embraces scalability, with options to build up from compact apartments to palatial flats to open-plan commercial settings.
But the crux of its design lies in the pillow system. The oversized cushions come as a pair with a flexible fabric connection, which enable Elogio’s truly interactive quality. Users may style the dual cushions horizontally, vertically, or drape them over an armrest structure. This inherently reflects the expansive nature of life – needs change over years, months, and often even within the hour. Furniture should strive to accommodate the widest range of humanity’s idiosyncrasies, not stifle them.
“I think the concept of comfort generates great expectations in each of us, perhaps not always the same for everyone, but the closer an object gets to that ideal, the more coveted it becomes for those who desire it,” Scarpa adds.
Comfort can mean so many things, shaped so much by the unique paths we take in our lives. Elogio pushes beyond the frontier of a versatile footprint, typical of other modular concepts, and into customization of cushion and armrest.
“Unlike many modular sofas that focus purely on function, Elogio pairs thoughtful modularity and architectural precision with emotional warmth – bringing an enticing softness and quiet confidence to GUBI’s Collection.”says Marie Kristine Schmidt, CEO of GUBI.
Grounded in nature, the sofa comes in two organic colors: Fustagano, a creamy off-white with undertones of orange, and Reales, a deep olive bordering on khaki green. Custom colors and fabrics are also available for those seeking a specific look and feel.
When asked if he has a favorite part of the design process, Scarpa shares: “I wouldn’t say so. The design process must be constant, rigorous, and flawless. If you’re able to always remain honest with the product design, it will inevitably come to life and guide its own realization through its language. And in the end, if it speaks clearly and endures, that is the true measure of its success!”
In the seventies, when Elogio first took form, a sense of softness had not yet entered the design sphere, with new materials like plastics making a multitude of forms available to designers, many of which could not have been created using traditional processes. Elogio’s generous, regularized curves speak to a grounded, relaxed sensibility, one we embrace just as readily in 2025.
“Working with Tobia Scarpa has been a masterclass in precision and restraint. What makes Elogio feel so current is that it was never about fashion – it was about freedom” adds Schmidt. A natural collaboration, Elogio is one of those pieces that understands the way humans work, staying effortlessly relevant through the decades.
Famed designer Tobia Scarpa
To learn more about the Elogio Collection by Tobia Scarpa for Gubi, visit gubi.com.
Photography courtesy of GUBI.
