Jak Studio's L20 sofa concept doubles up as a private work pod

Jak Studio has redesigned the conventional L-shaped sofa to suit the "home workplace of the future", enabling it to be altered from seating or a bed into a work pod.

As a response to the global lockdown measures in place as a result of Covid-19, the London-based architecture and design practice developed a concept for a multi-functional piece of furniture that can be adapted into a home working pod.

When in its sofa format, the L20 concept boasts an ordinary, L-shaped design, composed of two parts split down the middle.

By way of a simple "quick release" mechanism, it can be converted into a private office space or meeting pod. This is done by sliding the two parts along integrated rails, changing them from a horizontal to a vertical position.

Featured inside the pod is a drop-down desk, a reading light, a USB port and laptop charging points. A cork noticeboard is hidden underneath the fold-out desk panel that doubles as a back rest when in its sofa format.

The sofa's fabric also works as noise control, making the concept suitable for conference calls or as a quiet place to concentrate.

"The Covid-19 crisis has made individuals and businesses question traditional working models and re-examine what world will emerge from this crisis," said the studio.

"While the trend for working from home has seen a gradual increase in recent years, the global pandemic has accelerated this shift, impacting what individuals might need from their homes in the future."

"Where, in the past, homes have been designed to have more open, communal spaces, individuals are now struggling to create working areas to boost productivity, ensure privacy and conduct meetings and conference calls," it continued.

"What has become apparent is that homes and furniture needs to adapt, providing flexibility and daily changes of use so that we can embrace a new era of working from home."

The L20 concept, which can also be pulled out into a sofa bed, was inspired by Jak Studio director Jacob Low's difficulties in concentrating while working from home during quarantine.

"Distracted while trying to work in lockdown, I watched my kids build endless dens from what they could scavenge in our home," he said. "It dawned on me that the limit to what we can use our homes for is infinite if we are creative."

"The sofa bed was a revolutionary piece of furniture when it was first designed but it has not evolved further," Low continued.

"The L20 concept would bring the L-shaped sofa into this new era in which we are living, providing individuals with the flexibility that they require, particularly as we continue to demand more from our homes."

While the L20 sofa is currently just a concept, the studio is looking for a commercial partner in order to mass produce the prototyped design, with the intention of donating all profits to the Architects Benevolent Society.

Jak Studio recently built a beach hut in the British seaside town of Eastbourne that can be operated via remote control to turn and follow the sun throughout the day.

Not all companies envision people working from home indefinitely, however. London-based architecture studio Weston Williamson + Partners shared its plans for a social-distancing office post-Covid, with transparent desk screens and hands-free doors.

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