Dezeen Magazine

Anne Boysen's Toward Sofa reconfigures for different sitting positions

This sofa by Danish designer Anne Boysen can be arranged as an armchair, a chaise longue or for two people to sit facing each other thanks to its moveable armrests.

Toward sofa by Anne Boysen for Erik Jørgensen

Created for Danish furniture brand Erik Jørgensen, the Toward Sofa is made up of repeated half-oval forms – including armrests that can be arranged to support different seating positions.

"I wanted to make a piece of furniture that allowed users to relax in as many different ways as possible," Boysen told Dezeen. "People move even when they relax, so I wanted to make a piece of furniture that supported the varied sitting positions and activities."

Toward sofa by Anne Boysen for Erik Jørgensen

Along with the two unfixed cushions that form the armrests, the design consists of a base, two back rests of different heights and turned-oak legs with solid brass or aluminium feet.

Toward sofa by Anne Boysen for Erik Jørgensen

"The shape is a result of merging an armchair, a chaise longue, a tête-à-tête, and a sofa," said Boysen.

Toward sofa by Anne Boysen for Erik Jørgensen

The two loose and interchangeable cushion-armrests enable the user to change the configuration of the sofa – available in five colour variations, each of which includes six different Kvadrat fabrics.

Toward sofa by Anne Boysen for Erik Jørgensen

"People like the multifunctional aspect," said the designer, "and the different shades and fabric surfaces give the sofa a unique and special look."

Toward sofa by Anne Boysen for Erik Jørgensen

Boysen's Senecio daybed won the Erik Jørgensen Design Award in 2011, which led to her collaboration with the company and the launch of the Toward Sofa.

Toward sofa by Anne Boysen for Erik Jørgensen

Other sofas with rearrangeable elements include Marvin Reber's design that dismantles into children's play apparatus.