Silver Furniture Design · 2025
Baia Sofa Sofa
by Ruya Akyol
- A' Design Award 2025 Silver Winner in Furniture Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Ruya Akyol Studio
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 160,836
- Verification code 5F5CE3A8E0 · Verify this award
About Baia Sofa Sofa
Baia is a multifunctional sofa that redefines modern living through a seamless integration of relaxation and productivity. Its elegantly curved form creates a bed like corner lounge for extended comfort, while a narrower backrest offers a refined, upright seating area. A discreet, integrated oak desk positioned behind the backrest functions as a home office, side table, or decorative shelf. Artisanal oak details, zigzag joinery, and rounded wooden corners enhance the design, while premium Italian upholstery ensures a refined aesthetic and lasting comfort.
Ruya Akyol's Baia Sofa emerges from a rich lineage of organic modernist furniture design, participating in a tradition that traces its origins through mid-century explorations of biomorphic form and continues to evolve within contemporary practice. The work demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of how furniture functions not merely as utilitarian object but as sculptural presence within domestic space, its sweeping curved backrest evoking natural formations such as coastal bays, crescent moons, or the protective embrace of cupped hands. The designer appears to engage deliberately with the tension between soft and hard, curve and line, textile and timber, creating a visual and material dialogue that rewards sustained attention. The choice of bouclé upholstery reflects both historical awareness, recalling the textured fabrics favored by mid-century masters, and contemporary sensibility, as the material has experienced renewed appreciation in recent years for its visual warmth and tactile appeal. Technical accomplishment is evident in the seamless integration of the wooden base frame, which provides structural support while maintaining the illusion of the upholstered form floating above the floor plane. The integrated side table extending from the left armrest demonstrates thoughtful consideration of how contemporary inhabitants use seating, providing surface for beverage, book, or decorative object without requiring additional furniture pieces. This functional integration suggests an awareness of space efficiency valuable in contemporary residential contexts. The chromatic restraint, limiting the palette to variations of cream, beige, and warm wood tones, positions the work within minimalist traditions while the organic curves prevent any sense of sterility or coldness. The inclusion of dried botanicals in warm burgundy tones introduces a note of natural transience, perhaps suggesting the passage of seasons or the beauty found in preserved organic matter. One might consider how this sofa invites not merely sitting but dwelling, creating a sheltered microenvironment within larger architectural space where contemplation and rest become possible.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Baia redefines the modern sofa with a dual purpose design. Its curved backrest creates distinct zones: a spacious, lounge like corner and a narrow, upright seating area. The integrated oak desk serves as a home office, side table, or decorative shelf. The unique leg structure, with zigzag joinery and handmade rounded corners, adds sculptural elegance. Upholstered in premium fabric, Baia blends craftsmanship with contemporary living needs.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 2000 x Depth 1130 x Height 800 cm
- Tags
- sofa, furniture, comfortable, smart, multipurpose, versatile, cozy, seating furniture, luxury
- Production Technology
- The Baia sofa features an internal wooden frame constructed with precision joinery for structural integrity. Its distinctive oak desk and legs are crafted using traditional woodworking techniques, including hand finished rounded corners and zigzag joinery for enhanced artisanal detail. The visible leg structure is engineered for stability with minimal visual weight. Upholstery is done with high-density foam and premium fabric, ensuring durability, ergonomic comfort, and refined aesthetics.
- Design Challenge
- The biggest challenge was finding the perfect balance between elegance and multifunctionality. Designing a sofa that seamlessly serves as both a relaxing lounge and a discreet home office was complex. The desk needed to be almost invisible yet functional, without compromising comfort. This led to the idea of a flowing curve that integrates all these needs, creating a unified form where the desk blends naturally into the sofa’s silhouette, serving multiple purposes effortlessly.
- Project Duration
- The project started in September 2024 and will be exhibited in Salone Satellite during Salone del Mobile. It is getting produced in İstanbul, and will be presented in Milan in April 2025.
- Operation Flow
- Baia is designed to adapt to different ways of living. You can lounge comfortably in the spacious, curved corner perfect for stretching out, sitting cross-legged, or cuddling. The narrower seating area is ideal for shorter, more upright interactions. The built-in oak desk behind the backrest serves as a home office, side table, or display shelf, effortlessly blending work and relaxation in one cohesive design.
- Research
- Today, our living spaces serve multiple purposes beyond hosting guests; they are places for work, reflection, relaxation, and socializing, both physically and digitally. As the centerpiece of the living room, the sofa must evolve to accommodate this shift while maintaining its role as an anchor for both comfort and style. Baia meets these modern demands with a versatile hybrid design, integrating seating and a multifunctional desk that transitions effortlessly between uses.
- Inspiration
- Baia is a furniture solution inspired by the evolving dynamics of modern life, where working from home has become part of our daily routine, and sofas serve as the centerpiece of living areas. As spaces shrink and multifunctionality becomes essential, Baia seamlessly combines a comfortable sofa with an integrated desk that functions not only as a workspace but also as a side table for moments of relaxation in the lounge like corner or as a decorative shelf in the living area. This thoughtful design underscores the balance of form and function that defines contemporary living, accommodating both productivity and comfort.
- Image Credits
- Halit Besli
Colors of Baia Sofa Sofa
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G0E23 ShopGrand Interview about Baia Sofa Sofa
The idea of integrating a workspace within the Baia Sofa emerged from my observation of how modern living spaces are evolving. People are increasingly blending their home and work environments, especially with the rise of remote working and more dynamic lifestyles. The challenge was to create a piece that didn’t just serve as a sofa but could also adapt to the new needs of the modern user. I wanted to design a piece that could seamlessly transition between relaxation and productivity, offering a workspace without compromising the comfort and aesthetic of the living area. The result is a piece that embodies the flexibility required for today’s dynamic living environments.
The curved form of the Baia Sofa was inspired by the need to create defined spaces within one piece of furniture. As living spaces become smaller, there’s a growing need for furniture that can serve multiple functions without cluttering the space. The lounge corner provides a sense of comfort and intimacy, while the upright seating area is perfect for tasks that require more attention, like working or reading. By combining both elements within a single form, I aimed to create a versatile piece that naturally guides the user’s experience based on their current needs, enhancing both comfort and functionality.
The artisanal oak details and zigzag joinery were inspired by traditional woodworking techniques, which emphasize the beauty of craftsmanship. I wanted to bring these time-honored methods into the context of contemporary furniture design. The challenge was to merge these techniques with modern aesthetics while ensuring the final piece was functional and sleek. The zigzag joinery not only adds visual interest but also strengthens the overall structure, creating a fusion of form and function. This combination of tradition and innovation is something I strive to achieve in all my designs, and the Baia Sofa is a perfect example of how traditional techniques can elevate modern design.
The Baia Sofa is designed to respond to the growing demand for multifunctional furniture in compact urban living spaces. As cities become more crowded and homes shrink in size, there’s an increasing need for furniture that can serve multiple purposes without compromising on design. Baia Sofa’s ability to seamlessly transform from a relaxing lounge area into a functional workspace reflects this shift in how we view our living environments. I believe it’s part of a larger movement towards designing furniture that’s not only beautiful but adaptable to our ever-changing needs in smaller, more dynamic spaces.
The integration of the desk element was a key challenge in the design process. The goal was to create a piece that maintains a clean, minimalist aesthetic while offering a functional workspace. To achieve this, I had to carefully consider the mechanics of the piece—the desk had to be easily accessible, but also discreet when not in use. The solution was to create a hidden desk that could slide out from the sofa when needed, maintaining the integrity of the design. This required precise engineering to ensure that the desk functioned smoothly and reliably without compromising the overall form of the piece.
My multicultural background has been instrumental in shaping the Baia Sofa’s design. Growing up in Istanbul, I was exposed to a blend of Eastern and Western influences, which led me to appreciate both intricate detailing and minimalist aesthetics. My time in Milan refined my sense of modern design, with an emphasis on clean lines, simplicity, and functionality. Working with renowned designers like Philippe Starck and Claudio Bellini further taught me how to balance innovation with timeless design principles. The Baia Sofa embodies this fusion of cultural richness and contemporary design, merging warmth and tradition with modern functionality.
When selecting materials for the Baia Sofa, I prioritized both visual elegance and comfort. The Italian upholstery was chosen for its quality and texture, which not only enhances the look of the sofa but also ensures a comfortable and durable seating experience. I wanted to create a piece that would not only look beautiful but also feel inviting. The choice of high-quality fabric adds a luxurious touch while maintaining functionality—it's soft to the touch, resilient, and easy to care for. It was important to me that every material used would complement the overall design, creating a cohesive and elegant look while offering lasting comfort.
The development of the Baia Sofa has been a journey of continuous learning. One of the unexpected discoveries was how much space optimization plays a role in modern design. The process of integrating a workspace into the sofa led me to explore new ways of using furniture to maximize efficiency in small living spaces. Another key insight was the importance of material choice—how the texture, color, and quality of materials can transform not just the visual impact of a piece, but also its tactile experience. These discoveries will undoubtedly influence my future designs, encouraging me to focus even more on adaptability, functionality, and user experience.
The Baia Sofa was designed with the evolving needs of modern living in mind, particularly with the rise of work-from-home trends. As people spend more time at home, the boundaries between work and personal life are becoming increasingly blurred. The sofa’s ability to transform into a workspace allows users to seamlessly transition between activities without leaving their living environment. I anticipate that this kind of adaptability will continue to be a major consideration in future furniture designs, as people seek pieces that can support multiple functions without compromising on comfort or style.
I hope the Baia Sofa encourages designers to push the boundaries of what furniture can do. It’s not just about creating pieces that look good, but about designing furniture that can adapt to the needs of contemporary life. By integrating a workspace into the sofa, I wanted to challenge traditional notions of what a sofa can be. I believe future designers will continue to innovate in this direction, creating multifunctional pieces that don’t sacrifice quality or craftsmanship. The Baia Sofa’s balance of form, function, and artisanal craftsmanship demonstrates that you don’t have to compromise on any one aspect to create a successful design.