FURNITURE DESIGN
RECOGNITION
best of neocon: innovation 2026
Hip award: privacy lounge 2026
best of icff: furniture 2026
Sofie Privacy Lounge -
Currently in production with Bernhardt Design
Sofie, is a privacy lounge that offers acoustic comfort, visual softness,
and a feeling of protection without seclusion.
The enveloping shell provides a sense of acoustic privacy while maintaining visual openness and comfort, allowing users to feel connected to their surroundings without feeling exposed. Sofie reimagines privacy as a
human-centered experience that balances comfort, connection,
beauty, and moments of retreat.
BEGINNING IDEATION
When beginning my design process for Bernhardt, I questioned the conventional idea of a privacy lounge. Rather than viewing privacy as isolation, I explored how it could feel protective, comforting, and connected to the body, almost like a hug.
SHELLED FLUIDITY
This led to the concept of Privacy as Shelled Fluidity, a design vision inspired by the contrast between a structured outer shell and a soft, fluid interior. The relationship between outside and inside becomes a visual language and a conversation between our bodies and privacy, creating an object that feels inviting, adaptive, and enveloping.
SCOPE OF LINE
The Sofie scope of line features a one-seat lounge, two-seat lounge, and three-seat low-back configuration. Unified by a consistent material language and “hugging” outer shell, the collection offers the same balance of comfort, and visual openness.
PROTOYPE PROCESS
Bringing Sofie to life involved a hands-on process of CNC fabrication, kerf cutting, and bending plywood over a custom-built buck to achieve its organic sculptural form. From constructing the frame to collaborating with an upholsterer, each step was an exploration of balancing structure with softness.
FEATURED AT ICFF 2026
The Sofie Privacy Lounge was debuted at Bernhardt Design’s booth front and center at ICFF 2026 in New York.
FEATURED AT NeoCon 2026
The Sofie Privacy Lounge was presented at Bernhardt Design’s Showroom in THE MART during NeoCon 2026. The Sofie Lounge was also apart of Bernhardt’s “Privacy Please” Collection which was awarded both a HiP award and a Best of NeoCon Innovation Award.
IN PRODUCTION
The Sofie Privacy Lounge selected to be apart of Bernhardt Design’s Privacy collection, the piece is set to realease in Fall of 2026.
Sofie reimagines privacy not as isolation, but as an embrace, a feeling of protection, comfort, and connection to the body.
