Sarsen is a minimalist sofa and carpet collection designed by Michael K. Chen Architecture for TRNK. The modular system was designed to be configured and positioned in a multitude of ways, highlighting the transformative power of elements in shaping function, habitation, and interaction. A careful study of joinery and balance, the design language is characterized by elephantine proportions and forms. with an asymmetrical distribution of heft and lift. The irregular shapes of the rugs reinforce the multidirectional nature of the collection, intending to ground a space without giving it hard boundaries.

Built around a daybed rather than a formal sofa, the system creates opportunities social interaction, be it the clustering of friends and family, or for strangers to share a single piece of furniture while preserving personal space. The daybed and chair incorporate a solid base and a levitating edge, a formal language that is at once light and also firmly grounded. The hefty offset foot helps to counterbalance the composition.

The elements of the seating system are multidirectional, making lounging possible from four orientations. In combination, the consistent 32″ module of the seat allows for a wide range of sectional configurations, from a long chaise to a conventional “L,” to a conversation pit. In addition to the multitude of combinations, the system also invites different positions, including a full sprawl or perching on backs and arms.

The carpets, born of a similar design language, are deliberately non-rectangular and anticipate
asymmetrical seating arrangements. Rejecting texture and pattern in favor of notching and joining, the
design emerges from the carpet’s pile, texture, and color. The smaller carpets can nestle
into spaces between furniture or be scaled and clustered to the size of a room that supports many groupings.