.aesthetic talk
MOEBE
Rewriting the Rules of Design
written + interview Monica de Luna
MOEBE is rewriting the language of design. With Martin de Neergard Christensen, Nicholas Oldroyd, and Anders Thams leading the charge, this Copenhagen studio is all about pushing boundaries.
Their latest project, the Modular Sofa, premiered at 3daysofdesign 2024, embodies a new era of design thinking— modular, sustainable, and unapologetically forward-looking.
MOEBE’s design philosophy challenges conventions, blending modular innovation with an uncompromising focus on sustainability. Each piece is carefully thought out, designed for flexibility, and built to endure, reflecting a future where furniture adapts to life’s changes.
In the AGE OF CHANGE, Fall/Winter 2024 edition, we sit down with the visionaries behind MOEBE to explore the ideas and processes driving their work. This is design that moves with you, built for the ever-shifting rhythms of modern living.
Martin de Neergard Christensen, Nicholas Oldroyd and Anders Thams
“Versatility and sustainability are a compound subject at MOEBE, and all of our designs adhere to these principles in one way or another, whether it’s through their construction or their adaptability.”
Martin de Neergard Christensen, Nicholas Oldroyd and Anders Thams
speaking with Monica de Luna
first published
LE MILE Magazine, AGE OF CHANGE Nr. 37 Edition, Fall/Winter 2024
Monica de Luna
The Modular Sofa made its debut at 3daysofdesign 2024. What was the core inspiration behind creating such a versatile and eco-friendly piece?
MOEBE
Versatility and sustainability are a compound subject at MOEBE, and all of our designs adhere to these principles in one way or another, whether it’s through their construction or their adaptability. Our commitment to designing in this way has only strengthened over the years as our collection grows, and the Modular Sofa is really a natural extension of this design philosophy.
MOEBE is renowned for its modular design approach. How does the Modular Sofa elevate this concept in the world of adaptable furniture?
The Modular Sofa is a continuation of that modular, component-based thinking, perhaps even taking it a step further. Of course we are not the first to have the idea of a sofa split into sections, but we have tried to push the boundaries of what modular design can do and what a modular sofa can be.
For example, not only is the sofa constructed from individual modules, but the modules themselves can be separated even further to their constituent parts. Modules can be easily reconfigured, the cushions can be changed out without affecting the rest of the sofa, and everything is designed to arrive flat-packed. You have more choice when it comes to colour and form, and you are not tied to one specific configuration. When most people think of modular design they tend to think of flexibility, but we are just as interested in its other benefits, such as how easy it is to assemble, and how parts can be repaired without needing to be replaced. All of this can be found in the Modular Sofa.
Sustainability seems to be a cornerstone for the Modular Sofa, with certified oak and EU Ecolabel- compliant foam. How crucial is sustainability in MOEBE’s overall design philosophy?
Sustainability is really important to us, and something we consider through every step of the design process. That said, it’s also an incredibly broad area, and sustainability means different things to different people. So we decided to build our own framework to operate in, and we came up with six guiding design principles that feed in to everything we do, and help keep us in the right direction.
For example, we also have a commitment to producing spare parts for all of our designs. We believe that it should always be easier to repair than to replace, so this commitment is our way of helping people keep their furniture for longer, instead of always having to buy something new. It sounds simple enough, but it actually takes a lot of work to make sure that our designs are made in such a way that they can be repaired. Looking again at Modular Sofa, the way it is constructed and put together means that it can be shipped flat- packed, which has the environmental advantage of reducing the carbon footprint of shipping, and the component-based design lets us focus on producing a set number of parts, which helps avoid overproduction.
Flat-packed and easy to assemble – what were the biggest challenges in designing a piece that balances simplicity, durability, and style?
Aside from the technical challenges that come with designing any piece of furniture, we really wanted to create something that could stand by itself, without needing to rely on its label as ‘flat-packed’, or ‘easy to assemble’ to be attractive. In short, we wanted to create a sofa that people fall in love with because of how it looks, as well as how it is built.
When you design a sofa to be as modular as possible, with modules that work in any angle and configuration, you are really challenging yourself. You have to put that extra bit of effort in to make it look just as sharp. To make sure that the corner module works just as well on the left or the right side, and so that the middle section can turn both ways. It needs to look good as a pouf, or as a two-seater sofa, or as a much larger configuration that can turn corners and even accommodate people sitting at opposing angles. It’s a challenge for us as designers, but it’s also an opportunity to show what modular design could do. All of this flexibility from four basic modules, without compromising visual appeal. Now that’s a challenge!
Your Modular Sofa is the first large-scale seating option. What does this launch signify for MOEBE's growth and future direction?
It underlines our commitment to our design principles, as we continue to grow into a full-scale design studio. MOEBE started over ten years ago, and in that time we have gone from making small accessories and design items through to bigger interior and furniture pieces. We design everything in-house, and we only add products to our permanent collection that we fully believe in.
Everything needs to be born of the MOEBE design philosophy, whether it’s a small Key Ring or a Shelving System that spans a whole room. The Modular Sofa will definitely not be the last big piece, but rather the start of the next phase of MOEBE. Perhaps we’ll push even further into architecture and finally build that little shed in the woods we always dreamt about?
“We really wanted to create something that could stand by itself, without needing to rely on its label as ‘flat-packed’, or ‘easy to assemble’ to be attractive.”
Martin de Neergard Christensen, Nicholas Oldroyd and Anders Thams
speaking with Monica de Luna
first published
LE MILE Magazine, AGE OF CHANGE Nr. 37 Edition, Fall/Winter 2024
Martin de Neergard Christensen, Nicholas Oldroyd and Anders Thams
From single pouffes to multi-angled sofas with integrated tables, the Modular Sofa’s flexibility is impressive. How do you see this versatility fitting into modern living spaces?
We designed the Modular Sofa to work in many different situations, and we thought a lot about how it could help facilitate a more modern, dynamic lifestyle. We see two main scenarios where the flexibility can help achieve this. To start with, the modules can be added and changed over time, meaning that you can start with a single chair or pouf and add it to at a later time. You don’t need to start with a four-seater sofa from the beginning, but instead you can slowly work up to it as your living situation changes and evolves. Secondly, we wanted the modules to be adaptable in real-time, meaning that you can re-arrange and re- configure when the need arises.
We think the sofa looks beautiful in a big empty space, but we know that most of us live in smaller spaces or apartments where there is always the challenge of shared spaces. You want a comfortable sofa to watch TV, but perhaps you also want a more spread-out seating arrangement for when guests come over for coffee. With the Modular Sofa, you can simply break up the modules and move them around, easily adapting it to different needs at different times. It can do all of these things, and we think that’s super nice, especially over a long period of time. It’s a system you can build on, but you can also use its flexibility on a daily basis.
The smart construction of the Modular Sofa becomes evident in the details. What were the key considerations in ensuring the piece remains both easy to assemble and durable?
We think a lot about construction and how we put things together, so we love that you can see it. As designers, of course we are interested in forms, shapes, and colours, but it’s also incredibly important to remember that a sofa needs to be durable, hard-wearing, and suitable for years of everyday use. The requirement we set ourselves to make it both robust and easy to assemble was perhaps the real challenge of designing the Modular Sofa. Without getting into too much technical detail, we tested out hundreds of different construction methods in the design stage, and ended up finding elegant solutions that facilitated both of these demands.
Even if some of the details are hidden from view, you can see the constructional simplicity of the modules when you turn them upside down. The construction is easy to understand and never gets in the way, which is what we’re always aiming for.
How do you see the Modular Sofa challenging traditional furniture design and impacting future innovations?
Danish design has a unique heritage, and when we started MOEBE ten years ago we wanted to build on that, demonstrating that it can be done differently, with more focus given to making things that are easy to repair, and can adapt to changes in how we live. And this of course has an impact on future innovations too. We are part of a movement showing how sustainable thinking can be designed in from the start, and the Modular Sofa is our biggest statement yet of that way of thinking. It’s proof that you can make a sofa that follows these design principles, that is flat- packed and component-based, but is also beautiful, functional, and comfortable. We are always seeking out better materials or design solutions, and we know that our customers are too. The more designers that are active in pushing for these things, the more chance there is that the rest of the industry will move in the same direction. That’s our hope for the future.
“We are part of a movement showing how sustainable thinking can be designed in from the start, and the Modular Sofa is our biggest statement yet of that way of thinking.”
Martin de Neergard Christensen, Nicholas Oldroyd and Anders Thams
speaking with Monica de Luna
first published
LE MILE Magazine, AGE OF CHANGE Nr. 37 Edition, Fall/Winter 2024