Baia Sofa Sofa by Ruya Akyol is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Silver A' Design Award in Furniture Design Competition Category.
SilverFurniture· 2025
Baia Sofa Sofa
by Ruya Akyol
Client: Ruya Akyol Studio
Silver A' Design Award Winner in Furniture Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #167916The Design
About Baia Sofa Sofa
Baia is a multifunctional sofa that redefines modern living through a seamless integration of relaxation and productivity. Its elegantly curved form creates a bed like corner lounge for extended comfort, while a narrower backrest offers a refined, upright seating area. A discreet, integrated oak desk positioned behind the backrest functions as a home office, side table, or decorative shelf. Artisanal oak details, zigzag joinery, and rounded wooden corners enhance the design, while premium Italian upholstery ensures a refined aesthetic and lasting comfort.
The Recognition
About the Silver A' Design Award
Baia Sofa Sofa is a Silver A' Design Award winner, an extraordinarily prestigious recognition granted to top-of-the-line, gorgeous, and impressive designs. Silver winners are tremendously brilliant and exceedingly creative works that illustrate the outstanding expertise, talent, and acuity of their designers. Baia Sofa Sofa is expected to be a wonderful, showpiece work that is remarkably professional and profoundly innovative. This Silver A' Design Award-winning design is a highly notable, admired invention that benefits and advances the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology. Baia Sofa Sofa is a vastly envied creation that evokes desires, introduces positive feelings, and sparks amazement and wonderment.
Where to Get It
Furniture and Product Design Services
We create sophisticated furniture and product designs from our Milan studio, blending contemporary Italian style with minimalist Scandinavian aesthetics. Our holistic approach transforms ideas into refined, multifunctional solutions that balance elegance with everyday practicality. Winner of prestigious international design awards.
Discuss Your ProjectInterviews
Grand Interview
Your innovative integration of a workspace within Baia Sofa Sofa challenges traditional furniture boundaries - could you elaborate on how this dual-functionality concept emerged from your observations of modern living patterns?
The idea of integrating a workspace within the Baia Sofa emerged from my observation of how modern living spaces are evolving. People are increasingly blending their home and work environments, especially with the rise of remote working and more dynamic lifestyles. The challenge was to create a piece that didn’t just serve as a sofa but could also adapt to the new needs of the modern user. I wanted to design a piece that could seamlessly transition between relaxation and productivity, offering a workspace without compromising the comfort and aesthetic of the living area. The result is a piece that embodies the flexibility required for today’s dynamic living environments.
The curved form of Baia Sofa Sofa creates distinct zones for different activities - what inspired your decision to incorporate both a lounging corner and an upright seating area within a single piece?
The curved form of the Baia Sofa was inspired by the need to create defined spaces within one piece of furniture. As living spaces become smaller, there’s a growing need for furniture that can serve multiple functions without cluttering the space. The lounge corner provides a sense of comfort and intimacy, while the upright seating area is perfect for tasks that require more attention, like working or reading. By combining both elements within a single form, I aimed to create a versatile piece that naturally guides the user’s experience based on their current needs, enhancing both comfort and functionality.
The artisanal oak details and zigzag joinery in Baia Sofa Sofa showcase exceptional craftsmanship - how did these traditional woodworking techniques influence your approach to contemporary furniture design?
The artisanal oak details and zigzag joinery were inspired by traditional woodworking techniques, which emphasize the beauty of craftsmanship. I wanted to bring these time-honored methods into the context of contemporary furniture design. The challenge was to merge these techniques with modern aesthetics while ensuring the final piece was functional and sleek. The zigzag joinery not only adds visual interest but also strengthens the overall structure, creating a fusion of form and function. This combination of tradition and innovation is something I strive to achieve in all my designs, and the Baia Sofa is a perfect example of how traditional techniques can elevate modern design.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- Baia redefines the modern sofa with a dual purpose design. Its curved backrest creates distinct zones: a spacious, lounge like corner and a narrow, upright seating area. The integrated oak desk serves as a home office, side table, or decorative shelf. The unique leg structure, with zigzag joinery and handmade rounded corners, adds sculptural elegance. Upholstered in premium fabric, Baia blends craftsmanship with contemporary living needs.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 2000 x Depth 1130 x Height 800 cm
- Tags
- sofa, furniture, comfortable, smart, multipurpose, versatile, cozy, seating furniture, luxury
- Production Technology
- The Baia sofa features an internal wooden frame constructed with precision joinery for structural integrity. Its distinctive oak desk and legs are crafted using traditional woodworking techniques, including hand finished rounded corners and zigzag joinery for enhanced artisanal detail. The visible leg structure is engineered for stability with minimal visual weight. Upholstery is done with high-density foam and premium fabric, ensuring durability, ergonomic comfort, and refined aesthetics.
- Design Challenge
- The biggest challenge was finding the perfect balance between elegance and multifunctionality. Designing a sofa that seamlessly serves as both a relaxing lounge and a discreet home office was complex. The desk needed to be almost invisible yet functional, without compromising comfort. This led to the idea of a flowing curve that integrates all these needs, creating a unified form where the desk blends naturally into the sofa’s silhouette, serving multiple purposes effortlessly.
- Research
- Today, our living spaces serve multiple purposes beyond hosting guests; they are places for work, reflection, relaxation, and socializing, both physically and digitally. As the centerpiece of the living room, the sofa must evolve to accommodate this shift while maintaining its role as an anchor for both comfort and style. Baia meets these modern demands with a versatile hybrid design, integrating seating and a multifunctional desk that transitions effortlessly between uses.
- Inspiration
- Baia is a furniture solution inspired by the evolving dynamics of modern life, where working from home has become part of our daily routine, and sofas serve as the centerpiece of living areas. As spaces shrink and multifunctionality becomes essential, Baia seamlessly combines a comfortable sofa with an integrated desk that functions not only as a workspace but also as a side table for moments of relaxation in the lounge like corner or as a decorative shelf in the living area. This thoughtful design underscores the balance of form and function that defines contemporary living, accommodating both productivity and comfort.
- Project Duration
- The project started in September 2024 and will be exhibited in Salone Satellite during Salone del Mobile. It is getting produced in İstanbul, and will be presented in Milan in April 2025.
- Operation Flow
- Baia is designed to adapt to different ways of living. You can lounge comfortably in the spacious, curved corner perfect for stretching out, sitting cross-legged, or cuddling. The narrower seating area is ideal for shorter, more upright interactions. The built-in oak desk behind the backrest serves as a home office, side table, or display shelf, effortlessly blending work and relaxation in one cohesive design.
- Team Members
- Ruya Akyol
- Image Credits
- Halit Besli
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