Costume sofa is the new seating system by Stefan Diez for Magis
Modular through and through, this new sofa system from Stefan Diez is pragmatic, transformable and protects resources.
Costume sofa represents a groundbreaking shift in sofa construction. Traditionally, sofas were built in one of two ways: with a wooden frame featuring belts, springs, foam, and upholstery, or with a metal frame containing built-in suspension, foam padding, and upholstery. Both methods share the same issue — they are costly and labor-intensive to repair, their materials are difficult or impossible to separate, and they include large amounts of non-recyclable foam.
Now, Magis, in collaboration with designer Stefan Diez, has introduced a completely new approach with the Costume sofa. Its modular design ensures that individual components are not permanently attached, allowing the sofa to be easily dismantled for cleaning, repairs, or replacement of upholstery. This innovation not only enhances sustainability but also redefines flexibility and longevity in modern furniture design.
Gallery
Open full width
Open full width
At the heart of Costume sofa is a body made from recycled and recyclable polyethylene produced using rotational-molding technology from furniture and car industry waste. An insert made of pocket spring cores provides the cushioning for the seat and backrest. On top of this is a thin layer of polyurethane foam.
The whole is held together by a cover made of fabric that can be fastened on using tension belts and easily removed at any time. Not only does this system use much less foam in manufacturing than conventional sofas – but most of the materials used can also easily be recycled. If the upholstery wears out one day, it can easily be replaced.
This concept allows Costume to live up to Magis’ claim to develop products that use materials in a responsible way. However, for his first project for Magis, designer Stefan Diez not only redesigned the construction of the structure, but he also optimized the sofa system concept.
While modular sofas are usually designed as a construction kit featuring many different elements, for example with or without armrests, Costume comes with a total of just four different elements: the actual seating module, which can be completed with a left or right armrest and an ottoman.
A connector of plastic, which is pushed into the slots on all four corners of the seat, serves to connect the pieces. Available in matching as well as in contrasting colors, it creates an aesthetic feature. The four elements – seat, armrests and ottoman can be assembled to form numerous combinations depending on requirements and space.
And if circumstances change, for example by moving house, the elements can simply be regrouped and extended using individual parts so that the sofa can fit in with the new living environment.
This makes Costume sofa by Stefan Diez transformable and pragmatic, yet responsible in terms of the resources used. And last but not least, it shows just how innovative furniture design can be.
