Everyday Island of Repose

“Siwa” is more than a sofa – its dynamic shape makes it the ideal companion for everyday life. The trio of Altherr Désile Park has designed this versatile item of upholstered furniture for COR and has successfully come up with a piece suitable for formal and informal contexts, featuring both private and open elements. The idea was born during the Covid pandemic, a difficult time for anybody living or working in cramped spaces. More than ever before, people’s sofas became multifunctional places. “The pandemic was yet another of those instances that demonstrate how unpredictable life is. ‘Life is messy’ – fluid, protean, constantly changing. And as the best strategy for survival adopting different perspectives, personal development, remaining open-minded, adapting to new circumstances, is something we can learn from the plants that constitute by far the largest part of life on this planet. Accordingly, Siwa’s shape takes its cue from humans and not from architecture’s straight lines and right angles,” explains Jeannette Altherr.

Siwa’s backrest features a curved line repeated in its low base. This gentle sweep allows for a large number of options for relaxing on its comfortable upholstery. The various models can be combined in different configurations – for instance, facing one another to make a generous lounge area, lined up on one side, or placed back-to-back. “We really wanted an organic the shape while encouraging dialogue. We were not trying to make some kind of eccentric conceptual statement but a design form that smoothly inserts itself into an existing space and life there. “Siwa” represents an island of repose in our complicated everyday lives, can be experienced from all sides and allows not only for tranquility but also for activity. It is strongly expressive while remaining ‘natural’ because it is in harmony with the other objects in the room,” Altherr suggests. Striking a balance between its inviting proportions and its elegant gestures was a challenge for the designers. “It was thus a very special moment when we saw Siwa on a 1:1 scale for the first time. After all, it might look completely different on any other scale,” she affirms.

The result is a functional, sculptural lounger, with one, two, or several seats. A statement piece that brings harmony to a room by focusing on the essentials. “What is so fascinating is that no two places to sit are the same. The seat-cushion depth and the user’s perspective depend on where they happen to be sitting,” comments Leo Lübke, managing partner at COR. To realize “Siwa”, the company adapted the wood structures at its factory in Rheda-Wiedenbrück in Central Germany to Siwa’s organic contours, creating a strong structure with a minimum of materials. Wooden planks are simply processed into frames and then upholstered. “With this structure, we endeavored to ensure the different materials can be easily taken apart and thus recycled,” comments Altherr. What’s more, a new cover fastening was used. “This allows the covers to be replaced very quickly and easily, meaning you don’t need to worry about using ‘Siwa’ often and for long periods of time, and if you move house, you can adapt ‘Siwa’ to its new home by opting for a different color.”

Jeannette Altherr, Delphine Désile and Dennis Park advocate a holistic approach, one that conveys a sense of balance, right down to the tiniest details. “We’re grateful to be working with COR, as it is a company that is very concerned with holistic sustainability – from its choice of materials to short transport distances, sustainable energy, and keeping stocks low. They focus on designs with a long service life by using high-grade solid wood constructions and foamed materials with considerable bulk densities. Moreover, the company enables and indeed encourages people to repair and renew their products,” Altherr explains.

With “Siwa”, the trio has created a sustainable space within a space that is a sofa, an island recliner, and a chaise longue all in one, that fits into both formal and informal contexts, and is so constructed as to effortlessly balance representing an item of furniture with being an object in its own right.

COR Showroom
Brera Design District
c/o Studio Cagnato
Via Solferino 11, 20121 Milan

Opening hours:
15 to 20 April 2024
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
21 April, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.