Danish brand Muuto has launched its first ever high-back sofa, which it says is designed to create private spheres within large open-plan offices.

Featuring a tall enveloping back, the slender sofa joins the brand's Outline sofa series designed by long-time Muuto collaborators Anderssen & Voll.

The sofa has been created by the brand in response to the changing needs of the modern office. It can be used for relaxing or working independently, for having an informal meeting or as an element within an open-plan or lounge environment.

"The Outline Highback Sofa arose from a desire to create design that provides both visual as well as acoustic shelter for its user," said the brand. "It has an elegant and refined architectural expression with a functionality that allows for the user to retreat either alone or in groups into a separate spatial environment."

In recent years, there have been a spate of high-back sofa launches aimed at the contract market, where the rise of open-plan offices are "sabotaging" employees' ability to focus and have created the need for furniture that provides privacy in open spaces.

In 2014, Swedish firm Note Design Studio created a sofa for Fogia with a high-back designed to shield the sitters from an open-plan office. Similarly, the Portus sofa system by Lammhults is designed to create a "room within a room" for wide open interiors.

Available in three- and two-seat versions, the deep-seat sofa has a visually light wood and steel construction with a cold foam filling. It comes with powder coated aluminum legs, and can be upholstered with textiles from Kvadrat, Arve, Nevotex and Fidertessile, or leather from Camo Leathers.

The high-back sofa joins the collection of Outline sofas that Anderssen & Voll previously designed for Muuto.

"The Outline Highback Sofa brings a simple and refined expression to the archetypical design of a high-back sofa, pairing the elegant and modern look of the Outline Sofa Series with the high-back element," commented Anderssen & Voll.

"Its design creates private spheres within bigger spaces and provides shelter for conversation and collaboration."

Earlier this year, interior designer Natalia Sanchéz kitted out Copenhagen workspace Nomad with furniture by Muuto to demonstrate how the office could be made to feel as cosy as the home. The temporary installation, which included workspaces, lounge areas and conference spaces, was presented during Danish design event 3 Days of Design.