Baia Sofa Sofa by Ruya Akyol is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Kala in Hoʻolālā Lako Hale Competition Category.

KalaLako Hale· 2025

Baia Sofa Sofa

by Ruya Akyol

Client: Ruya Akyol Studio

A' Design Award Kala Winner in Lako Hale Category

161,332

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #167916

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Baia Sofa Sofa

ʻO Baia kekahi sofa hana like ʻole e hoʻohou ana i ke ola hou ma o ka hui pū maʻalahi o ka hoʻomaha a me ka hana waiwai. Hana kona hiʻohiʻona piko nani i kahi noho kihi e like me ka moe no ka ʻoluʻolu loa, a ʻo ka kua noho ʻemiʻemi e hāʻawi ana i kahi noho kūpono maʻemaʻe. ʻO ka pākaukau palapala ʻoka mālie i hui pū ʻia ma hope o ka kua noho, hana ia he keena hale, pākaukau ʻaoʻao, a i ʻole he pākākā hoʻonani. Hoʻonui nā kikoʻī ʻoka hana lima, ka hui lāʻau kikowiko, a me nā kihi lāʻau poepoe i ka hoʻolālā, a hōʻoia ka uhi noho ʻĪkālia kiʻekiʻe i ka nani maʻemaʻe a me ka ʻoluʻolu mau loa.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Kala

Ua lanakila ka hoʻolālā Baia Sofa Sofa i ka A' Design Award Kala, he ʻike hoʻohanohano nui loa i hāʻawi ʻia i nā hoʻolālā kiʻekiʻe loa, nani a kupaianaha. He mau hana ʻālohilohi loa a hana noʻeau nui nā lanakila Kala e hōʻike ana i ka loea, ka makakoho a me ka ʻoi aku o ka noʻonoʻo o kā lākou poʻe hoʻolālā. Manaʻo ʻia ʻo ka hoʻolālā Baia Sofa Sofa he hana kupaianaha, kūlana ʻoi aku, ʻoihana kiʻekiʻe a hou loa. ʻO kēia hoʻolālā i lanakila i ka A' Design Award Kala he mea hoʻokumu kūpono loa, mahalo ʻia e hāʻawi i ka pōmaikaʻi a hoʻoneʻe i nā palena o ka hana noʻeau, ka ʻepekema, ka hoʻolālā a me ka ʻenehana. He mea i ʻeleu ʻia e nā mea he nui ka hoʻolālā Baia Sofa Sofa e hoʻāla i ka makemake, lawe mai i nā manaʻo maikaʻi a hoʻāla i ka kamahaʻo a me ka mahalo.

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