Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois

HANS HOPFER (Germany, 1931 -2009). for Roche Bobois.
Sofa "Dromadaire".
Moahir wool.
Reupholstered piece.
Measurements: 90 x 360 x 90 cm.
Designed in 1974 by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, the Dromadaire sofa is one of the most singular, rare and audacious creations of European design in the 1970s. Far from responding to the traditional conventions of upholstered furniture, this piece presents itself as a true habitable sculpture, capable of transforming space through its architectural presence and its unmistakable silhouette. Its name, Dromadaire, refers to the characteristic vertical undulations of its backrests, whose profiles abstractly evoke the animal's humps. This rhythmic succession of volumes generates a highly dynamic visual play, giving the sofa a unique and easily recognizable identity. Unlike the famous Mah Jong, an icon of modular informality also created by Hopfer for Roche Bobois, the Dromadaire develops a much more structured and monumental language. Its carefully articulated sculptural forms create a composition with a strong architectural character that transcends its mere seating function.
Hans Hopfer was one of the most innovative figures of 20th century design. An industrial designer, painter and sculptor, he revolutionized the traditional concept of the domestic living room by creating so-called "seating landscapes", flexible environments designed to adapt to the new lifestyles of contemporary society. His philosophy was based on comfort, freedom of use and the ability of furniture to encourage new forms of social interaction.
Before achieving international recognition, Hopfer developed pioneering projects that already anticipated his innovative vision, exploring concepts of modularity, ergonomics and spatial flexibility. These investigations culminated in some of the most influential pieces of design of the second half of the 20th century, among which the Dromadaire is particularly noteworthy for its rarity and formal sophistication.