The Hi Lo seating collection by Anderssen & Voll for &Tradition is designed for ultimate comfort
For Oslo-based designers Torbjørn Anderssen and Espen Voll what makes an ideal sofa has changed over time. “When Espen and I started working 25 years ago, we were very much a part of the neo-rationalism of the new millennium – flirting with minimalism without every being true minimalists,” says Anderssen.
“We were not very concerned about being comfortable. As we have grown, we have come to love a good backrest. It’s been a journey. A good sofa explains itself to your body when you sit down. We are more concerned with tailoring and the gesture of surfaces and less concerned with radical silhouettes.”
To that end, they have devised the modular Hi Lo sofa series; its generous proportions and invitingly plump cushioning make for a sofa that envelopes users. It is low to the ground but its high back and upwardly curving seat invite the sitter to sink into comfort while adopting a reclined, relaxed position. “Hi Lo has a very distinct side profile – and the first sketches dealt with pairing ergonomics and super-comfort with a funky and laidback side view,” continues Anderssen. “Approaching the sofa from the front, however, is like arriving at a sloping, soft hill – a surprising discovery we made as the idea was expanded from 2D to 3D.”
The series comes in a one-seater module and a corner module for versatility. The single module stands as a compact yet substantial piece, which can be easily combined to create larger configurations. The corner module, which can be attached at either side of the single sofa piece, allows for L-shape arrangements. The Hi Lo is equally well suited for the home as it is for contract and hospitality locations.
“About the name Hi Lo – we really like the connotations of Hi-Fi and also MoMA,” says Anderssen. “Lounging somewhere in New York City, overlooking the park to the right soundtrack – for us it would be Music for 18 Musicians by Steve Reich.”
As ever, the designers have made sure that the sofa’s environmental footprint is minimal. Hi Lo is made using FSC® certified wood and recycled materials and certified low-emission upholstery foam.
Photography courtesy of &Tradition
This story was originally featured in OnOffice 171, Summer 2025. Discover similar stories by subscribing to our weekly newsletter here.
