Gabriel Tan's Soft Stone Sofa for ClassiCon Blends Sculpture and Architecture

Singaporean designer Gabriel Tan collaborated with German brand ClassiCon to create the Soft Stone sofa, a modular system of 11 soft-edged modules. The design draws inspiration from the staggered stone terraces of Porto's Parque da Cidade and the work of American sculptor Isamu Noguchi, specifically his 1970 piece Illusion of the Fifth Stone. Tan aimed to balance softness with geometry, creating pieces that feel both monumental and natural. The sofa's armrests connect to the back in a manner reminiscent of Noguchi's interlocking rocks. For upholstery, ClassiCon partnered with German brand Zimmer + Rhode, offering four fabric options: Tinto, Pamir RE, Chenille Andro Plu, and Antoni. Custom fabrics and leather covers are available upon request. The design features deliberate folds in the cover that break with conventional linearity, adding what ClassiCon describes as 'Italian nonchalance' and luxurious character. Materials include a plywood frame, Nosag springs, upholstery foam, and selected fabrics. The product was featured in Dezeen Showroom, a platform for brands to showcase new designs to a global audience.