Assaya armchair by Poltrona Frau, sculpted shell in Saddle Extra leather and Pelle Frau® leather or fabric, contrast stitching, luxury Italian design by Satyendra Pakhalé

Assaya | Armchair

Satyendra Pakhalé

For the Assaya armchair, the structure of the backrest and armrests, comprising a single shell, is in rigid polyurethane padded with polyurethane foam and wadding. The seat is in seasoned beechwood with elastic belts. The upholstery is in Cuoio Saddle Extra leather for the exterior and Pelle Frau® leather or fabric for the inside surface. The edge of the saddle leather surface is embellished with elegant visible contrast stitching.

Assaya | Armchair

Satyendra Pakhalé
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Visuals shown are for illustration purposes only. Actual finish and/or pattern may vary due to unique characteristics of natural raw materials

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External upholstery Info

Internal upholstery Info

Concept and Design

In Marathi, Satyendra Pakhalé’s mother tongue, Assaya means “provide comfortable support” or “create a pleasant sentiment”, but also “analyse” or “assess”. The designer’s inspiration for this collection (armchair, pouf and side table) is our increasingly connected world where the boundary between the domestic space and the workplace is increasingly blurred.

satyendra pakhale
Designed by
Satyendra Pakhalé

Multifaceted award-winning industrial designer Satyendra Pakhalé established his practice in 1998 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and is active internationally in the field of Industrial Design, Transportation and Architectural Design. He was born in 1967 in India and trained as a designer at the renowned IIT - Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and later at Art Centre College of Design Europe, in Switzerland. After his first working experience at Frog Design, he was part of the pioneering ‘new business creation’ team, conceiving some of the first product ideas for new technologies in the area of digital communication and transportation design at Philips Design in the mid 90's. Through a series of award-winning design projects for leading clients and industries, the practice has developed a worldwide reputation for designing diverse innovative typologies, pushing the limits of technology and materials. Renowned companies such as Alcantara, Cappellini, Franke, Hästens, Magis, Poltrona Frau, Fiam, Novartis and TOD’s rank among his clients. Pakhalé has lectured throughout the world on platforms such as CeBIT Germany, Casa Brasil and Future Design Days Sweden. The Eindhoven Design Academy in the Netherlands invited him to devise and head the Master Programme in Design for Humanity and Sustainable Living from 2006 to 2010. Pakhalé’s ongoing curiosity in materials, technology and its cultural plural expression has lead to limited edition pieces for ammann // gallery, Cologne, Germany. His works are in permanent collections at prestigious museums throughout the world, among which the Victoria and Albert Museum London, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Centre Pompidou, Paris.

Coverings and finishes

Dimensions
01 assaya armchair 5585111
02 assaya side table 5585660
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The Assaya armchair by Poltrona Frau, designed by Satyendra Pakhalé, is a furnishing proposal created to meet the needs of an increasingly fluid and connected world, where the boundary between home space and the workplace dissolves in favor of hybrid, versatile environments.

 

Its sculptural shell—upholstered externally in saddle leather and internally in Frau® leather or premium fabrics—reflects an innovative formal research, conceived for those seeking comfort, contemporary aesthetics, and precious materials. This armchair finds its natural place in modern living rooms and open-plan spaces, where it can become a statement element, able to dialogue with minimalist furnishings or interiors rich in personality.

 

Thanks to its ergonomic, welcoming structure, Assaya is ideal for creating a domestic relaxation area dedicated to reading, meditation, or tech-enabled downtime—perhaps beside a bookcase, near a large window, or in a room devoted to personal wellbeing. Its multifaceted character also makes it perfect for high-level professional environments: refined home offices, creative studios, architects’ or designers’ workplaces, representative waiting areas, and corporate lounges will find in this armchair a solution that communicates innovation, attention to detail, and an international design culture.

 

In luxury hotels, prestigious lobbies, and exclusive suites, Assaya stands out as a symbol of sophisticated hospitality, offering guests a seating experience that blends aesthetics, comfort, and functionality. The possibility of choosing among numerous upholstery options—from saddle leather to textiles, from leather to technical materials—and among multiple colors and textures allows the armchair to adapt to any color palette and interior style, making it suitable for both residential and public contexts.

 

The combination of materials and the tailored care of visible stitching make it particularly appreciated by those seeking customized, exclusive solutions with strong visual impact. Assaya is the ideal answer for people living in contemporary, cosmopolitan homes; for those who want a piece that is both functional and distinctive; and for anyone who enjoys surrounding themselves with objects born from the dialogue between culture, technology, and excellence craftsmanship.

 

It is also perfect for those who work from home and want an ergonomic seat that supports focus and wellbeing, or for those who wish to introduce into a public space a design element that tells a story of innovation and international openness. In art galleries, showrooms, exhibition spaces, and high-end boutiques, the Assaya armchair can become an attention catalyst—an object that crosses the boundaries between art and design, function and representation.

 

Its versatility also suits those who like to frequently change furniture layouts, thanks to how easily it can be placed in very different settings, from a private living area to the reception of an innovative company. In summary, the Assaya armchair by Poltrona Frau is intended for those seeking a product that combines comfort, innovation, customization, and design culture, offering endless possibilities of use and interpretation in line with the most advanced trends in contemporary living and working.