ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE OF THE MOMENT
A BLAST FROM THE PAST, LOWERED SPACES ARE POPPING UP TO BRING THE ULTIMATE LOUNGE EXPERIENCE TO CONTEMPORARY INTERIORS
FEATURE Keith Flanagan
For those with their ear to the ground, you’ve surely heard the chatter about conversational seating – layouts that bring us closer, if not face to face, are all the rage as we distance ourselves from the Zoom era. But there may be no architectural feature more on the nose than the conversation pit.
Otherwise known as sunken living rooms, conversation pits were a hallmark of mid-century modern interiors in the United States when entertaining at home was at an all-time high. Often located within a living room, they were built below the floor, a few steps down, and lined with built-in seating. Today’s architects and designers embrace the feature for many of the same reasons conversation pits were popular in the first place: they bring a cosy dynamic with surprising dimensions.
‘There are so many benefits to a sunken living room; from denoting space with an elevation change, to the feeling of increased spatial volume, to a more intimate sense of lounging… none of which can be achieved from furnishings alone,’ says Kristin Korven, co-founder of Los Angeles-based Part Office.
Eliminating furniture, in fact, is one of the conversation pit’s primary perks, creating a space free of table legs and clutter, particularly in rooms with outdoor views easily blocked by a clunky sofa. But at the end of the day, the sunken living room is a place to sink in and relax.
‘I think it has to do with the more general trend of cocooning; the conversation pit is the ultimate place to hang out with family,’ says interior designer Joanna Lavén, co-founder of Stockholm’s Studio Lawahl. ‘It is cosy, comfortable and good looking.’
As an architectural feature, it remains the ultimate conversation piece – here are a few tips that will hit the spot.
1 OVER THE TOP
Doubling down on comfort, conversation pits are often outfitted with built-in, deep-seated cushions. But when constructing the space, consider a sofa that really pads the perimeter. ‘I think it’s nice to have the sofa a bit higher than the floor level: that way you don’t get any sharp edges when you lean back and it also looks very inviting,’ says interior designer Joanna Lavén, who lined her design with a plump blue sofa that softens the pit’s otherwise harsh angles.
GET THE LOOK Project by Studio Lawahl
2 EASE INTO IT
‘A sunken space can add a lot of joy to your home so whether you’re considering a cosy sunken nook or seating area it’s essential to keep the design light and fluid,’ says Los Angeles interior designer Jaqui Seerman. While decor and finishes can do wonders to lift a space – li
