One-seater left chaise longue PHILIA 401

A Design That Does More Than Look Good

Rodolfo Dordoni designed Philia around a simple but smart idea: the perimeter frame pulls double duty as both a structural support and a surface. Backrests, armrests, seating — they alternate along that frame in a way that feels considered rather than complicated. The result is a sofa system that reads clean from a distance but reveals real thought up close.

The armrests are worth noting specifically. They can function as backrests or headrests depending on how you want to sit. That kind of flexibility is built into the design itself, not added as an afterthought.

Materials Built for the Outdoors

The structure is FSC-certified teak — the same wood used in yacht decking, which is where the carabottino grating pattern comes from. It’s a practical reference, not a decorative one. Teak handles sun, rain, and salt air without much complaint. The feet are powder-coated stainless steel, finished in smoke, which keeps the base understated against the natural wood.

The support webbing comes in Batyline, a high-performance outdoor mesh known for holding its shape and resisting UV exposure. Belt options are also available across a range of colors — grey, sand, brown, olive, blue, orange, and sky. Cushions are hydro-draining, meaning water moves through rather than sitting in the fabric.

Comfort That Adjusts to You

The backrests recline in three positions. That alone changes how versatile the piece is — upright for conversation, reclined for reading, flat for something closer to a chaise. The padding on the backrests and armrests is intentionally light, keeping the profile slim while still offering real support.

At 13 and three-quarter inches seat height with cushions, it sits low and relaxed. The cushion covers come in an extensive fabric range across multiple collections — Allegro, Bouquet, Dew, Eco, Fine, King, Loom, Medley, Oxford, Park, Point, Queen, Scala, Soft, Shore, and additional options including Bamboo, Duna, Opera, Riva, and Spiga. There’s enough range to work with most outdoor palettes.

Where It Belongs

Philia is sized for serious outdoor living spaces. At 65 and a half inches wide and just over 45 inches deep, it occupies a garden or terrace with presence but doesn’t overwhelm. It works equally well as a standalone piece or as part of a larger modular configuration — the system extends to include a double chaise longue and coffee table built on the same teak carabottino base.

This is furniture designed for the kind of outdoor space that gets used regularly, not just staged for photographs. It suits a generous terrace, a well-considered garden room, or a covered loggia.

How It Holds Up

Roda built Philia around materials that age rather than deteriorate. Teak develops a silver-grey patina over time if left untreated — some prefer it, some oil it back. Either way, the structure doesn’t weaken. Batyline resists fading and maintains tension through seasonal changes. And because the cushions drain and the frame breathes, there’s no trapped moisture working against the piece over time. It’s built to stay in use, not to be stored away at the first sign of weather.