Seylan Pūʻulu Sofa by Nastaran Khanzade is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Kala in Hoʻolālā Lako Hale Competition Category.

KalaLako Hale· 2026

Seylan Pūʻulu Sofa

by Nastaran Khanzade

Client: Rendi

A' Design Award Kala Winner in Lako Hale Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Colors

The Design

About Seylan Pūʻulu Sofa

He pūʻulu sofa ʻo Seylan i hoʻolālā ʻia no nā wahi noho o kēia au. Ua hoʻohālikelike ʻia ke ʻano o kona kino i nā laina piʻo kahe o ke kākau kaligarafi Persia Nastaliq. Pani nā laina hoʻomau a me nā piʻo palupalu i nā kihi ʻoi, no laila ʻike ʻia ka pūʻulu sofa me he kiʻi kālai lā mai kēlā me kēia ʻaoʻao. Hana ʻia ka hale kūkulu me ka lāʻau paʻa, i hoʻohana ʻia ka ʻoki CNC no ka hoʻonohonoho ʻana i ke ʻano, a laila kālai ʻia, ʻānai ʻia, a hoʻopau ʻia me ka lima. Kūkulu ʻia nā noho me nā papa foam paʻa kiʻekiʻe i uhi ʻia me ka lole, a alakaʻi nā piʻo i ke kūlana noho ʻoluʻolu. Aia i loko o ka pūʻulu he noho hoʻokahi kanaka a me kahi noho ʻekolu kanaka. ʻO ka manaʻo ka lawe ʻana i kahi hana noʻeau kuʻuna i loko o nā lumi hou o kēia wā.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Kala

Ua lanakila ka hoʻolālā Seylan Pūʻulu 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 Seylan Pūʻulu 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 Seylan Pūʻulu 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: What sets this design apart is its ability to translate intangible rhythm into physical design. Unlike conventional modular or geometric sofas, this piece is born of movement; an uninterrupted gesture that echoes the energy of writing. It is not only functional but also emotionally resonant, rooted in Iranian visual culture yet universal in elegance.
Dimensions & Packaging: Single Seater Dimensions:
W 85 cm × D 75 cm × H 75 cm

Three Seater Dimensions:
W 210 cm × D 80 cm × H 75 cm

Materials:
Solid Wood Structure, High-Density Foam, Fabric Upholstery

Production Technique:
CNC Machining Combined With Hand Carving And Finishing

Packaging:
Protective Wrapping With Padded Corners, Suitable For International Shipping
Tags: Furniture Design, Modern Sofa, Sculptural Furniture, Fluid Form, Ergonomic Seating, CNC Woodwork, Handmade Finish, Minimal Form, Contemporary Design, Iranian Design, Artistic Furniture, Flowing Lines, Organic Shape, Calligraphy Inspired, One-Piece Form, Seamless Design
Production Technology: The structure of the sofa set is crafted through a combination of CNC precision cutting and traditional hand-carving techniques. Solid wood is sculpted to achieve the flowing, calligraphy-inspired curves, then meticulously sanded and finished by hand to enhance its tactile and visual elegance. The seating is constructed using high-density foam layered for ergonomic comfort, upholstered with carefully selected fabric to complement the organic form. This blend of digital accuracy and artisanal craftsmanship allows the piece to maintain both structural integrity and sculptural fluidity.
Design Challenge: One of the key challenges was creating a unified and continuous form that feels both sculptural and inviting. The design process involved extensive studies to develop a shape that maintains visual fluidity from every angle while also functioning as ergonomic seating. Preserving the harmony between curves, ensuring structural integrity, and integrating all parts into a seamless whole required a careful balance between digital precision and handcrafted sensitivity. Achieving this unity while working within material and production limitations was a central creative and technical effort.
Research: This design explores the integration of traditional Persian calligraphy, specifically the fluid curves of the Nasta'liq script, into contemporary furniture design. The form is characterized by a seamless, organic flow without sharp angles, reflecting the graceful and harmonious movement of the Nasta'liq lines. The absence of rigid structures emphasizes comfort, fluidity, and elegance, creating a unified form that adapts to both functional and aesthetic needs. The design aims to bring cultural heritage into the modern living space, bridging the gap between timeless artistry and modern design principles. Through this project, I seek to create a piece of furniture that not only serves as a functional object but also as a work of art that carries the essence of Persian craftsmanship into contemporary contexts.
Inspiration: The core inspiration for this design is “Seylan” (the fluid, continuous motion that defines the elegance of Persian Nastaliq calligraphy). In Nastaliq, letters do not simply sit beside each other; they flow with grace, as if carried by a silent internal rhythm. This flowing quality is not just visual; it is deeply emotional, creating a sense of calm movement.
This sofa seeks to capture that motion in space. Its seamless form, soft curves, and uninterrupted structure reflect the essence of Seylan.
Project Duration: The project began in January 2025 and was completed in April 2025. The prototype was designed and built in Mashhad, Iran, at the Rendi Furniture Factory.
Operation Flow: The user engages with the sofa through intuitive physical interaction; by sitting, leaning, or resting. The flowing curves naturally guide the posture, offering comfort without requiring adjustment. The tactile quality of the carved wood and the softness of the fabric enhance the sensory experience. Beyond seating, the piece invites visual interaction, encouraging users to move around it, observe its lines, and feel its sculptural presence in the space.