SW50 Sofa
Design by Illum WikkelsøAvailable online from November 19, the SW50 Sofa, designed by Illum Wikkelsø in 1959, reflects a more restrained side of the Danish designer’s work. Defined by long horizontal proportions, a visible wooden structure, and a visually light expression, the sofa balances structural clarity with inviting comfort. Crafted from FSC®-certified oak and wood from other responsible sources (FSC® C176589), the structure reinforces the sofa’s calm and architectural character. The slightly upright seating position encourages conversation and social interaction, while the open construction and slender proportions allow the sofa to sit lightly within a space. Reintroduced by GUBI in its original four-seater format, the SW50 remains distinctly relevant today through its openness, material honesty, and understated expression.
A SOFTER KIND OF ARCHITECTURE
The SW50 is built around a clear structural idea: a continuous wooden base that visually anchors the sofa while lifting it lightly from the floor. Above it, the upholstered cushions appear almost suspended, creating a composition defined by rhythm, lightness, and balance. The contrast between the exposed wood and the softness of the upholstery gives the sofa its identity – architectural without feeling rigid, and warm without becoming heavy.
ILLUM WIKKELSØ
Danish furniture designer Kristian Illum Wikkelsø (1919–1999) believed that furniture should be built to last, to indulge the body and to please the eye. He belonged to a group of designers who represented the Golden Age of Danish design during the 1950s and 1960s. With his clear design aesthetic and deep understanding of materials, he was one of the key protagonists to make Danish design style an international phenomenon.