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Press Release

Overlap Sofa

A' Design Award 2023 Bronze Winner in Furniture Design

20 April 2023

Overlap Sofa by Tomoki Doi
Overlap Sofa by Tomoki Doi
Overlap Sofa by Tomoki Doi
Overlap Sofa by Tomoki Doi
Overlap Sofa by Tomoki Doi

Tomoki Doi · CLIENT: Soell inc.

Overlap is a sofa formed by overlapping two blocks. The backrest and the seat are set off-axis and arranged to form a flat surface, which allows a variety of uses and arrangements. When several units are placed side by side, the backrest and the seating surface merge into a single element. The sofa can be placed in the centre of a room or in a corner. In public spaces, units can be combined in straight lines, zigzags, squares or crosses. Overlap is made of wood, urethane and fabric, and can be split into two parts for transport.

Press Kit

Unique Properties
A sofa formed by overlapping two blocks

While fulfilling its functionality, this sofa presents an object-like look that transforms its impression with every angle of view. The backrest and seat are off-axis and laid out to form a flat surface, thereby creating a variety of usages and arrangements.

When several units are placed side by side, the backrest and the seating surface merge into a single element, blending into one.
Dimensions & Packaging
W1955 D1063 H780
Tags
sofa, furniture, public space
Production Technology
wood, urethan, fabric
Design Challenge
The sofa is made up of two blocks, and we paid particular attention to the balance between the two. We have also made it easy to transport and carry in by making it possible to split it in two without any design discomfort.
Project Duration
Completed in October 2021
Operation Flow
Overlap is designed to be placed in the centre of a room or in a corner of a room without discomfort. In public spaces, they can be combined in straight lines, zigzags, squares or crosses.
Research
We sometimes use our environment to suit our bodies, such as sitting on stairs. In this project, rather than designing a sofa, we worked to create an object that has elements of a sofa and aimed to create a situation where different ways of sitting are created.
Inspiration
Rather than designing a sofa, we started with the idea of adding a sitting function to a simple rectangular object.
By stopping to design the usual functions of a sofa, such as the seat, backrest and armrests, and instead thinking of the function from the combination of the two components, new uses and various combinations of sofas can be created.

By shifting the axis of the sofa from its normal orientation, we also intended to change the gaze of the person sitting on it.
Image Credits
photo: Ryoukan Abe

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