Gradas

Steps and seating are not mutually exclusive

Gradas

2024-2026

Unlocking flexibility and openness in three sizes

Gradas is a sofa collection designed by UNS/Ben van Berkel for the Spanish furniture brand, Sancal. Inspired by the simple social ritual of sitting on steps, it offers people a place to pause, talk, watch, and share space with others. Gradas brings that same spirit indoors, translating the atmosphere of public squares into a furniture collection that invites people to sit together in more relaxed and flexible ways.

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The design pulls inspiration from a single soft prism. From this clear and simple starting point, a family of interlocking forms emerged, creating seating that feels both structured and open-ended. The stepped arrangement is central to the collection. It offers different levels, positions, and orientations, allowing people to lean, stretch out, or sit upright depending on the moment. There is no single correct way to use it, which gives the collection a sense of ease and openness.

Available in three sizes, from an individual seat to a larger shared piece, Gradas can support different settings and scales of use. Smaller versions work for more personal moments, while the larger configurations encourage conversation and group interaction. The XL model, in particular, creates a shared seating landscape that can be approached from all sides, making it as much a spatial object as a sofa.

Developed in close collaboration with Sancal, Gradas reflects a shared interest in design that is clear, social, and responsive to how people actually live and gather. Material contrasts between lacquered surfaces and soft textiles add depth and tactility to the collection. The result is a piece that combines comfort with character, and brings the social logic of the plaza into everyday interior life.