Released for Jasper’s 20th Anniversary, the new series features a beautifully rounded curve module available as a rounded backrest form or with a rounded timber shelf, bringing impact to the original design while retaining unmatched comfort. Combined with the innovative timber shelves with Light-Charge technology to create ambiance and luxury.

The Design Challenge was to keep people interested and maintain the connection with a sofa product that has been in the market for 20 years. Keeping the product contemporary without losing the essence or functionality of the beloved range as the product line is critical to the company’s sales. This creates a high-stakes design environment as the design team had to balance the need for innovation with the risk of alienating their customers. It was essential to retain the signature comfort and flexibility that customers love while also introducing contemporary updates that would meet the evolving needs of modern living.

Incorporating contemporary curves to the sofa forms and shelves as well as ambient touch-operated lighting to the underside of the shelves. This allows the range to have a 70s on-trend feel to the product, without compromising on any of the key features. It is also interchangeable with all pre-existing Jasper sofa units sold over the last 20 years. Many different solutions were explored to come back to this simple solution as retaining the essence of what makes a Jasper was essential. It is also a timeless approach to a current trend.

From a commercial perspective, the updates to the Jasper for the 20th anniversary offer a continued versatile and adaptable piece of furniture that can meet the changing needs of consumers, leading to increased customer satisfaction. From an environmental perspective, it’s a sustainable and modular design, coupled with its replaceable parts, and removable and upgradeable covers, reduces waste and promotes a circular economy. The fact that this product has been very commercially successful for 20 years with only incremental updates is a testament to this sustainability.

Creating the circular form to the rear of the sofa particularly, required building on the 45 years of experience that King has in manufacturing modular sofa products. The removable backrest together with removable covers makes it complex to achieve a beautiful join in this area. By using the continual improvement techniques over the last 45 years, an area that might be problematic for other manufacturers is second nature for King Living. The concept of the touch light built into the underside of the Timber shelf top was one of those “aha moments” of design. Utilizing our existing technologies and combining previous design innovations from our products we were able to keep the light invisible while switched off, but easy to operate with a simple touch along any point down the line of the shelves. This ensures that the light is easy to access wherever it might be installed on the sofa (using our patented easy-to-use spigot system). The light is available together in the same component as the wireless phone charging component, meaning that the power cable only needs to be fed through the shelf side once for multiple functions and is easily hidden between the sofa components.

The form of the new components suits the existing product while providing an overall subtle form update keeping it in line with current global trends. With versatile timber finishes and various upholstery options, the product can seamlessly blend into a wide range of environments, showcasing a thoughtful and well-designed aesthetic. The product is robust, suitable for family living with its steel frame, and completely serviceable, and upgradeable parts that can be easily rearranged or recovered to best suit the space. The timber shelf with a light-charge feature is not only serviceable and user-friendly but also multifunctional, as it can be easily transformed from a box formation to a flat form, depending on personal preference. Safety has been ensured through compliance with all international applicable safety standards and regulations. The light charge unit is powered through a step-down transformer to ensure that only low-voltage cabling is used in the reconfigurable areas.

The quality of the project corresponds to its designed price point and investment, with the consideration learned through 45 years of King Living’s manufacturing experience to make one of Australia’s most loved sofas. The product has likewise been incredibly well received in King’s nine international showrooms. Commercially, the project represents good value for money at its intended price point and is likely to increase the brand value and attract newer clients to the Jasper range, and current clients to upgrade parts of their product with the new pieces on offer while building on both the Jasper and King brand.

Given the value of the Jasper brand to the King business, the product was not changed dramatically but rather reimagined to add extra value to an already good design. During the design process, the considerations included: how people use their sofa today and how we could improve the experience as well as how to keep Jasper on trend while retaining its timeless appeal. The curved forms are in line with current 70s trends and multiple curved forms used together create a truly unique feel in the Jasper range, particularly well shown through the Package C3 (visible on product card pdf). The light-charge shelf seamlessly integrates two distinct features into a timber design that can be effortlessly placed alongside the comfortable seating without appearing overly technical. The cables that service these features can be easily concealed, which allows the touch-operated undershelf lighting to create an element of surprise and delight.

The project’s overall impact includes positive outcomes for the client, end-users, and the environment. The sofa’s design includes sustainable, easily replaceable parts and minimizes packaging waste by not using single-use packaging. The sofa’s features, including its reconfigurability, ease of transport, and modularity, make it appealing to a wide range of customers, including those living in smaller inner-city dwellings up to larger open-plan homes. The project has the potential to improve the quality of life for users and the planet by reducing waste and promoting sustainable design practices. The investment in professional design will lead to increased market share, sales, and customer loyalty, while the project has the potential to inspire positive change and drive change toward a circular economy.

Category:FurnitureYear:2023Designer:David King, Tanya Rechberger, King Living, Turrella, New South Wales, AustraliaManufacturer:King Living, Turrella, New South Wales, Australia