Gloria Sofa by Paolo Demel is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 Silver A' Design Award in Furniture Design Competition Category.
SilverFurniture· 2020
Gloria Sofa
by Paolo Demel
Client: Demel Design
Silver A' Design Award Winner in Furniture Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #88440The Design
About Gloria Sofa
Design is not only an external form, but it is also a research on the internal structure, ergonomics and essence of an object. In this case the shape is a very strong component, and it is the cut given to the product that gives it its particularity. The advantage of Gloria has the strength to be 100% customize, adding different elements, materials and finishes. The great peculiarity are all the extra elements that can be added with the magnets on the structure, giving the product hundreds of different shapes.
The Recognition
About the Silver A' Design Award
Gloria 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. Gloria 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. Gloria Sofa is a vastly envied creation that evokes desires, introduces positive feelings, and sparks amazement and wonderment.
Where to Get It
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Discuss Your ProjectInterviews
Design Interview
What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
The inspiration for this project was born almost out of nowhere, I was in the office during the lunch break (in my old job the lunch breaks lasted 2 hours so I had a lot of empty time) I wanted to create something of my own. I started making the sofa in 3D, simple and linear, then I thought ... "What if I cut it with a diagonal?" "Why should all sofas have a straight back?" Obviously for convenience, one could answer, but it is not exactly like that, because there is always a solution to everything, even if initially we take the seemingly wrong path.
What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
My goal for this project was to create a design icon, a unique thing, something that had never been seen.I wanted to get exactly the result I got, unfortunately I never had the means to represent it in the best way, but with the means I had available I can be very satisfied.
What are your future plans for this award winning design?
My biggest dream for this product is that it is made concretely by an interesting company in this sector, precisely because this product is a "concept" and therefore only waits to be made. I hope this project will open the way for me to actually pursue my dream as a designer, I would like to design products for many companies in the sector.
Grand Interview
Your innovative approach to exposing the internal structure of Gloria Sofa challenges conventional furniture design norms - could you elaborate on how this structural revelation contributes to both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the piece?
The Gloria Sofa redefines traditional design by exposing its internal structure, creating both an aesthetic statement and functional innovation. Visually, the contrast between the sleek metal frame and upholstered sections adds lightness and a modern, architectural feel.Functionally, the open structure allows for customization through magnetic accessories, enabling users to attach elements like side tables, lamps, or storage units. This modular approach makes the sofa highly adaptable to different needs and spaces, merging design, technology, and personalization in a unique way.
The magnetic customization system of Gloria Sofa offers remarkable versatility - how did you develop this adaptable design solution, and what inspired you to incorporate magnets as a means of transformation?
Gloria Sofa’s magnetic system transforms a static sofa into a dynamic, modular piece. Magnets enable easy attachment of accessories like tables and storage, maintaining a clean aesthetic. This flexible design enhances functionality, allowing users to adapt it to different spaces and needs.
The tragic story of Gloria Trevisan and her contribution to Gloria Sofa's initial sketches clearly holds deep personal meaning - how has this emotional connection influenced your design decisions and the final evolution of the piece?
No, the initial concept was developed two years before the competition. I originally asked Gloria Trevisan to create emotional sketches to help present the project to companies, but none were interested as it didn’t fit their collections. After the tragedy, I didn’t want to leave the project behind, so I decided to submit it in her memory.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- This sofa is unique and the first thing you notice is the cut of the padding, from which a part of the internal structure emerges. The visible steel structure is the same that will continue inside the cushions (made of variable density polyurethane foam). The supporting structure is therefore designed in one piece. The glass shelf can be adjusted, using the structure of the steel sofa (in the part of the exposed armrest) as a track, positioning it at the desired height. The supporting structure will be entirely in steel. It was designed to unload the weight on the ground, distributing it over the entire structure, so as not to have structural failures. Moreover, thanks to the use of magnets to add extra elements to the structure,it is possible to customize this sofa with materials and finishes.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- the dimensions of the sofa are: width 1800m,depth 806mm, height 718mm, seat height 406mm.
- Tags
- Magneticsofa, Sofa, Furniture, Structure, Minimalism, Design, Padova, Sid
- Production Technology
- for this project I used 3d rhinoceros for 3d modeling and technical drawings. The renderings were launched with Keyshot. While the sketches were done entirely by hand
- Design Challenge
- This project has two challenges. The first challenge for me is the promise I made to Gloria Trevisan, that is, to continue this project to the end. The design and this promise are closely tied in this project, and they are the two most important things in my life. The second challenge is to bring innovation to the field of design and to continue to improve
- Research
- The shape, the personalization, and the personality of this sofa are the soul of this project.
Furthermore the addition of accessories can satisfy the needs of every user, because thanks to these, it can change shape in many possibilities, maintaining a unique character - Inspiration
- I was inspired during my work and I came to the conclusion that importance is almost never given to the internal structure of an object and that is why I wanted to cut the sofa cleanly, giving shape to a unique object of its kind. This project is vitally important to me, because it involved a person who lost its life in the 2017 tragic blaze of the Grenfell Tower in London. Her name was Gloria Trevisan, and she made the sketches of my project. She really cared about this project because she was a very dear friend of mine. I dedicate this project to her.
- Project Duration
- The project started in December 2016 in Padova and finished in June 2017 in Padova
- Operation Flow
- This sofa was designed as a "quick seat" for a guest in an office, or for a gallery in a museum. It can also be inserted in a private context, a home, giving strong character to the environment in which it is inserted
- Team Members
- Designer: Paolo Demel
Sketch: Gloria Trevisan
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