Yongwook Seong's C 39: A Pill-Inspired Sofa

Winner of Silver A' Furniture Design Award in 2017

Yongwook Seong, a distinguished designer, has always found inspiration in the most unexpected objects. In the case of the C 39 sofa, it was the bright colours and functionality of capsule pills that sparked his creativity. The result is a transformative seating form that not only captures the aesthetic value of a pill but also serves as a functional piece of furniture.

The C 39 sofa is unique in its design and construction. The exterior body, made from semi-transparent polycarbonate and anodized aluminum, is partially cut to expose the interior particles. These particles, made of post-consumer recycled fibre, are soft enough to function as cushions, adding a sustainable element to the design. The sofa measures W 2400mm x D 850mm x H 900mm, making it a substantial piece of furniture.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the C 39 sofa is its interactive nature. As a person sits or lies down inside the sofa, they experience a partial encapsulation of the body, physically interacting with the interior particles. This interaction adds a unique dimension to the seating experience, making it more than just a place to sit.

The C 39 sofa was a project that spanned almost two years, starting in June 2015 in Banff, AB, Canada, and finishing in February 2017 in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The biggest challenge Seong faced during this project was maintaining the visual integrity of a pill while creating an ideal seating form. Despite this challenge, Seong managed to keep the interior particles as original as possible, further enhancing the design's uniqueness.

The C 39 sofa's innovative design and sustainable materials earned it the Silver A' Furniture Design Award in 2017. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, and the C 39 sofa certainly fits this description. With its unique design and sustainable materials, the C 39 sofa is a testament to Yongwook Seong's creative prowess and commitment to sustainable design practices.