B&B Italia's Nena: Richard Sapper's Folding Armchair Returns

B&B Italia has reintroduced Nena, the folding armchair designed by Richard Sapper in 1984, bringing back an icon that continues to stand out for its ability to combine technical innovation, practicality and refined aesthetics.

Compact, elegant and easy to fold away, the armchair still represents a perfect balance between innovative design and everyday functionality.

Richard Sapper’s career was defined by constant technical experimentation, resulting in products that became enduring benchmarks in industrial design. Nena fully embodies this vision, transforming a simple armchair into an object that successfully combines structural performance, practicality and meticulous attention to detail.

Its structure features a tubular aluminium frame, an innovative solution for its time, selected to provide strength while keeping the overall weight to a minimum. The backrest and seat retain a clean, understated profile, while the cushion, available with either fabric or leather upholstery, enhances comfort. A die-cast aluminium joint system allows the armchair to fold completely flat, making it easy to store when not in use.

With this reissue, B&B Italia reintroduces a design that has retained all of its contemporary appeal, confirming that well-conceived design solutions can stand the test of time without losing their value.