Backrest PHILIA 101

A Design That Does More Than Look Good

Rodolfo Dordoni designed Philia around a simple but smart idea: the perimeter frame serves double duty, acting as both structural support for the backrests and as an integrated tabletop surface. The result is a modular outdoor sofa system where seating and surface alternate naturally, making the layout feel considered rather than assembled. The proportions are balanced, the profiles clean, and nothing feels overworked.

The backrest and armrests are lightly padded and can recline into three positions. And the armrest itself can shift roles — functioning as a backrest or a headrest depending on how you use the piece. That kind of quiet versatility is exactly what good outdoor furniture should offer.

Materials Built for the Outdoors

The structural soul of Philia is the carabottino — a wooden grating traditionally used in yacht construction. Here it runs through the entire system in natural teak, from the coffee table to the seating modules and up to the double chaise longue. The teak carries FSC certification (FSC-C155819), and the structure pairs it with powder-coated stainless steel feet in a smoke finish.

The backrests are supported by a combination of Batyline and polyester belts — both materials chosen for outdoor performance. Batyline is a technical mesh fabric known for holding up in sun and rain without losing its shape. The cushions are hydro-draining, meaning water moves through rather than sitting in the fill. It’s the kind of detail that matters more than it sounds.

Comfort That Adjusts to the Moment

The reclinable backrests give Philia a real range. Sit upright for a conversation, recline for the afternoon. The lightly padded armrests add comfort without adding bulk, and the soft outdoor cushions round it out without making the piece feel overstuffed. It works for both — the formal garden lunch and the long Sunday afternoon that goes nowhere in particular.

Where It Belongs

Philia was designed for gardens and terraces. The modular format means it can scale from a compact seating corner to a generous outdoor living arrangement with a double chaise longue at one end. The wide upholstery range — available in fabrics like Allegro, Oxford, Shore, Duna, and Riva among others, and belt colors spanning grey, sand, olive, blue, orange, and more — means it adapts to most outdoor settings without demanding much compromise.

Roda built this collection around the idea of contemporary outdoor living: furniture that supports real moments, not just a styled image of them.

Built to Last Out There

Teak is one of the few natural woods that genuinely handles outdoor exposure. It’s dense, naturally oily, and resistant to the kind of weathering that ruins lesser materials. Combined with powder-coated stainless steel and technical fabrics rated for outdoor use, the Philia system is put together to stay out there season after season. But beyond durability, the modularity means the configuration can change as the space does. It doesn’t lock you into one arrangement forever.