philippe malouin turns ‘puffer’ into a system of chairs

 

a year after london-based company SCP launched its first prototype of the ‘puffer’ armchair, philippe malouin has fully developed the designed into a system of chairs – comprising an armchair alongside two, three, and four-seat sofas. 

 

the process of expanding the design went as follow for malouin: ‘it’s a TV sofa, something to spend hours and hours on. the design of the puffer is super related to lockdown, and what people want from a sofa now. that is probably the reason why it is that big. how do you sit on a sofa? how long do you stay there? what position do you want to sit in? the design of the sofa has been about considering these things’. 

philippe malouin expands SCP'S design of the 'puffer' armchair
the four-seat ‘puffer’ sofa – 3/4 front view

 

 

COMFORT AND SIMPLICITY AS MAIN FUNCTIONS 

 

‘puffer’ has been created with a love of simple shapes and the idea of comfort as a function. working closely with the product development team at SCP’s specialist upholstery factory, philippe malouin (view his works here) first took inspiration from the feather filled ‘puffer’ jacket. the result is an impressively comfortable design that shows a deep understanding of the possibilities of traditional upholstery making. both versions are made from natural materials with joinable feather pocket sections produced at SCP’s specialist upholstery factory in norfolk, england.

puffer sofa and armchair by philippe malouin for scp 4
the four-seat ‘puffer’ sofa – front view

 

 

in sections: rethinking the method of production 

 

‘it is designed to be a sofa you don’t need an ottoman with. we decided to make it in parts. the initial jacket idea was a good idea, but was harder to put on than we imagined. by making it in sections, it also allows for it to be specified with a range of different fabrics. it looks the same, but the curve goes down to the floor from the inside of the armrest. for it to become a sofa system, we needed to change the method of production, in parts. the sofa system informed the design of the new armchair, as they needed to be the same’, comments malouin.

philippe malouin expands SCP'S design of the 'puffer' armchair
the three-seat ‘puffer’ sofa

puffer sofa and armchair by philippe malouin for scp 3
the two-seat ‘puffer’ sofa

puffer sofa and armchair by philippe malouin for scp 5
the ‘puffer’ armchair – front view

puffer sofa and armchair by philippe malouin for scp 6
the ‘puffer’ armchair – 3/4 front view

philippe malouin expands SCP'S design of the 'puffer' armchair
the ‘puffer’ armchair – back view

philippe malouin expands SCP'S design of the 'puffer' armchair
the ‘puffer’ armchair in context – 3/4 front view

 

 

 

project info:

 

name: puffer sofa and armchair
designer: philippe malouin for SCP

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom