Doshi Levien and the duplicity of the Shaal sofa

The work of London-based studio – founded by Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien, partners both in life and business – combines the influences of their two backgrounds in India and Europe. The duo, who met at the Royal College of Art in London, have been working together for over 20 years, bringing together different worlds: Nipa's approach is multidisciplinary and draws heavily from the visual arts; Jonathan's combines his skills as a craftsman, a deep understanding of materials and industrial processes. This variety of skills allows the studio to explore the various intersections between cultures, technologies and production processes. Over the years they have worked with top Made in Italy companies, as well as various galleries, museums and cultural institutions. Doshi Levien's latest design adventure was born from his meeting with Arper and concerns the design of a modular sofa system: Shaal.

Jonathan Levien says: “I think what's interesting is that Arper has a very recognisable visual identity, which we perceived as being very kind of linear and sharp and really like a beautifully tailored suit. And then we have our own recognisable visual expression as a studio. The idea was to marry that with something that would fit into the Arper world. We also perceive Arper products as being very light so the challenge was how to create a sofa that reflects this lightness, like it's floating or gliding off the floor.”

A fundamental feature of the sofa is its duality: it is generous yet light, it is stable yet adaptable, it is sustainable yet precious. Shaal recreates the hospitality of home anywhere. It combines the typical comfort of home furnishings with the versatility of modular architecture. The system comprises six basic modules, which can be combined to create 2 or 3-seater sofas or more articulated configurations, capable of expanding and adapting to different needs, whether for home, office or hospitality spaces. “The modular aspect allows us to adapt to different spaces…and workspaces are incorporating more softness and comfort with the shift in how people are working. We see a need for variety and diversity in work environments, especially after the pandemic,” explain the designers. An upholstered rigid panel creates a high back that cradles Shaal’s supremely plush cushions. Both panel and cushions allow for ultimate expressivity with endless combinations of materials including leather and bespoke textiles. The Shaal sofa is designed with attention to its entire life cycle: the removable cover can be replaced to prolong its life, while components and materials can be separated for recycling. “The main aspect of this project is the need for us to approach the issue of sustainability seriously. Arper is a company that is clearly taking responsibility and wants to create products that genuinely address this issue. In terms of design, we considered what happens to the Arper sofa at the end of its life. How do we recycle components? How do we separate the materials for recycling? This really means we had to make the product from the inside out…designing with sustainability in mind is something really exciting for the design industry as a whole because there is a need to rethink everything that's around us… there is a tremendous opportunity for innovation.”