Cohen Proto

The initial concept for the Cohen Sofa emerged during Shahab Ghaffari’s visit to the National Museum of Iran, upon encountering a cubic chair dating back to the 6th millennium BC, excavated from the ancient site of Cheshmeh-Ali.

Beyond the beauty of its ornamentation, the chair revealed a remarkable functional detail: a small vessel integrated into the front of the armrest and designed specifically for a right-handed user. This historical feature became the starting point for the Cohen Sofa. The idea was reinterpreted and distilled into a contemporary, minimalist form through the integration of a compact tray element within the armrest.

The structure of the sofa is rooted in modern manufacturing logic. A metal frame serves as both the primary structural system and the visual framework of the piece, expressing the principle of exposed structure. The wooden seat and armrest components remain independent elements, carefully mounted onto the metal framework to preserve the clarity of the construction.

Through a combination of structural honesty, material contrast, and ergonomic consideration, the Cohen Sofa seeks to provide a calm and comfortable seating experience while establishing a dialogue between an ancient functional idea and contemporary furniture design. The Cohen Armchair received the SIT Furniture Design Award for its contribution to contemporary furniture design.