Dezeen Magazine

Origami Sofa by Yumi Yoshida unfolds to become a floor mat

A mat that can be folded into a two-seat sofa by California designer Yumi Yoshida was inspired by the ancient Japanese art of paper-folding (+ slideshow).

Origami Sofa by Yumi Yoshida unfolds to become a floor mat

The Origami Sofa by Yumi Yoshida comprises a series of upholstery panels sandwiched between two layers of fabric. Each piece is separated by a fold allowing the segments to be manipulated into a self-supporting seat.

Origami Sofa by Yumi Yoshida unfolds to become a floor mat

The concept uses different colours to highlight the duality of the Origami Sofa's function as a mat and sofa, and also to mimic the traditional origami paper that lends the concept its name.

Origami Sofa by Yumi Yoshida unfolds to become a floor mat

"The two different colours resemble the sides on a sheet of origami paper and emphasise the change in both function and form as it folds from a flat rug into a couch," said the Austrian-born furniture designer.

Origami Sofa by Yumi Yoshida unfolds to become a floor mat

To convert the mat into a sofa, one end is folded into a pair of right-angled triangular boxes while the other is pinched into the beginnings of a box shape that will become the seat section.

Origami Sofa by Yumi Yoshida unfolds to become a floor mat

The triangular boxes are then folded inward to create the back and armrests that will form the upper section.

Origami Sofa by Yumi Yoshida unfolds to become a floor mat

The seat is then rolled into the centre to create a supporting structure shaped like a trapezium.

Origami Sofa by Yumi Yoshida unfolds to become a floor mat

To complete the sofa, the back section is stacked on top of the seat. The completed piece of furniture retains a few flashes of orange to serve as a reminder of the seat’s dual use.

Origami Sofa by Yumi Yoshida unfolds to become a floor mat

We've recently reported on a number of designers and architects inspired by the ancient Japanese art of paper folding.

Origami Sofa by Yumi Yoshida unfolds to become a floor mat

Last month, Paris-based accessories designer Qi Hu created paper headdresses based on Chinese mythological creatures for the Printemps department store, and in January German designer Jule Waibel created 25 folded-paper dresses for fashion brand Bershka's shop windows around the world.