HOW WAS THE NEW MODULAR SOFA CAVA BORN? DESIGNER MIHKEL MÖLDER ANSWERS
The Estonian-made CAVA modular sofa, with its many possibilities, is soft and spacious. But how was this new sofa born, and what was the most challenging part of creating it? Which materials ensure a long life for the sofa? OOT-OOT Studio designer Mihkel Mölder answers these questions.
What inspired the design of the sofa?
As always with us, the design process starts with listening to our customers in the showroom. We write down our customers’ wishes and ideas, and once they come up often enough, we raise them at our product development meetings. When designing CAVA, we clearly followed our customers’ wishes: a low-profile sofa with a deeper-than-average seat, and a centrepiece design that draws attention without dominating the room.
What was the biggest challenge in developing the sofa?
This time, the challenge lay in the core task of sofa design: how to create a modular sofa that balances all three aspects – comfort, functionality and looks. There is a lot of furniture that looks good but isn’t comfortable, and vice versa. In our view, that is only half the job. Good design is both beautiful to look at and functional and comfortable at the same time.
What are the functional features of the CAVA sofa?
The functionality of the CAVA sofa lies in its modular structure. The modules come in different sizes, so the sofa can be adapted to the size of the room or the user’s needs – whether it’s a compact city apartment or the spacious living room of a house. The sofa is also attractive from behind, which means it can stand freely in the middle of the room with its backrest on view. The back has been designed with the same care as the front, giving the sofa 360-degree appeal. The armrests and backrest of the sofa have the same height, angle and softness, so you can also lean back comfortably when sitting lengthwise on the sofa.
Were environmental and sustainability aspects taken into account in the design of the sofa?
We consider the durability of the sofa to be the most important factor in environmental sustainability, because long-lasting furniture helps reduce the need for constant consumption and the amount of furniture waste. Durable furniture means a smaller environmental impact in the long run, as consumers don’t have to keep buying new furniture, which also reduces the carbon footprint of production and transport. We also do our best to use sustainable materials and optimise our production processes to keep production as environmentally friendly as possible.
Which materials are used to make the sofa, and how do they affect its durability and comfort?
To make the CAVA sofa, we use high-quality, durable materials such as solid wood, birch plywood and pocket springs, all of which play an important role in the sofa’s durability and comfort. The solid wood and birch plywood construction ensures structural stability over a long time. Pocket springs add seating comfort and support. Unlike ordinary springs, pocket springs allow each spring to move individually, which means the sofa adapts better to the body’s position and distributes weight more evenly. Pocket springs also help the sofa keep its shape and prevent deep sagging.
When is a sofa finished?
For a designer, a sofa is finished when all its functional and aesthetic goals have been achieved. This usually happens after the prototypes have been tested. Once the product meets all quality requirements and design goals, we can move on to the next projects.
How do you recognise good design?
You can recognise good design by its well-thought-out details. Design focuses on clarity and simplicity, where everything superfluous has been removed, yet neither functionality nor comfort has been sacrificed. CAVA represents good design precisely through its clean lines and balanced proportions, which create a calm and modern feel while offering practical everyday comfort.
Furniture designed and made in Estonia
OOT-OOT Studio is a furniture design studio founded by designers Marko Ala and Joonas Torim, focusing on upholstered furniture and beds.
Our entire product range is designed and made in Estonia. The studio’s collection includes sofas, sofa beds, armchairs, ottomans, stools, beds, mattresses and terrace furniture. Quality materials, thoughtful design and ergonomics are the cornerstones of OOT-OOT Studio design.
Explore our products at the OOT-OOT Studio showroom in Tallinn at Staapli 10, or visit our online store at www.oot-oot.com.
You’ll find plenty of inspiration on OOT-OOT Studio’s Instagram too.
