Santiago Calatrava

SANTIAGO CALATRAVA (Valencia, 1951) for De Sede.
“Espada” sofa, model DS-150, 1986.
Chrome-plated steel, fiberglass, and ivory-colored natural leather upholstery.
Number 10 of 50. Numbered and stamped with the manufacturer’s mark on the base.
In good overall condition.
Measurements: 65 x 190 x 62 cm.

The exceptional nature of the “Espada” divan lies both in its limited edition of fifty pieces and in the fact that it represents one of Santiago Calatrava’s most unique forays into furniture design. Conceived for the Swiss firm De Sede in 1986, the DS-150 dates from the early years of the architect’s professional establishment in Zurich, when he was already conducting research on balance, tension, and dynamic structures that would later define his international architecture.

Its design highlights the close relationship between engineering, sculpture, and anatomy. The chrome-plated steel structure is formed by large, curved, and tapered elements that visually elevate the seat and convey a pronounced sense of lightness, while the upper section features a continuous, organic profile topped by a double headrest. This is a futuristic-looking piece whose form is inspired by the human body, creating a deliberate contrast between the technical precision of the frame and the enveloping quality of the upholstered surface.

The collaboration between Calatrava and De Sede began as early as 1984, when the architect designed a mobile exhibition pavilion in Zurich for the firm; two years later, he would go on to develop the DS-150. Santiago Calatrava is one of Spain’s most internationally renowned figures in contemporary architecture and engineering, recognized for integrating structural innovation with a distinctly sculptural vision. He earned a degree in architecture from the Higher Technical School of Architecture in Valencia and a degree in civil engineering from ETH Zurich, where he established his first studio in 1981. Among his most iconic projects are the Stadelhofen Station, the Milwaukee Art Museum, and the City of Arts and Sciences. In 2005, he received the Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art presented “Santiago Calatrava: Sculpture into Architecture.”