Turrella, New South Wales, Australia
The 1978 High Back Sofa by King Living reimagines a design icon, drawing from the brand’s original Award Sofa of the late 1970s. It blends heritage style with modern modularity, delivering ergonomic comfort, flexible functionality, and timeless appeal for adaptable, sustainable living.
The 1978 High Back Sofa by King Living by won a 2025 Good Design Award from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design, and Urban Studies.
At its core, the 1978 High Back honors King Living’s legacy while addressing today’s mobile, space-conscious lifestyles. Inspired by the Award Sofa that shaped the brand’s early reputation, this iteration features updated materials, enhanced modularity, and superior comfort—reinterpreting the past for contemporary needs without mere replication.
Its upright backrest, layered cushioning, and generous proportions evoke the bold 1970s silhouettes, softened by refined detailing, curves, and modern textures. The elevated backrest offers sculptural presence and supportive comfort, with tailored upholstery, optional armrests, and premium, removable fabrics for personalization across diverse interiors.
Modularity defines its adaptability: chaise, corner, armless, and ottoman modules rearrange easily for evolving spaces, life stages, or moves. Lightweight components suit renters, downsizers, and urban dwellers, with add/remove arms and fully serviceable, replaceable cushions—avoiding full replacement costs or waste.
A highlight is the innovative flexible mesh backrest, new to King Living, providing breathable, ergonomic support while preserving clean lines.
Comfort prioritizes prolonged use via the proprietary Postureflex® seating system: resilient steel suspension and premium foam for enduring support. The high backrest cradles users upright, ideal for reading, working, or relaxing, with structured ergonomics for all ages and needs. Built on the King Steel Frame with a 25-year warranty, it ensures lasting durability.
Sustainability permeates the design: modular, serviceable construction; machine-washable covers; recyclable steel frame; and replaceable foams promote repair, reconfiguration, and reuse in a circular approach. Compact packaging minimizes shipping impact, fostering conscious consumption without compromising style.
Designed and engineered in-house at King Living’s Sydney studio, the 1978 High Back embodies decades of craftsmanship, research, and evolution—bridging heritage and future-focused innovation.
Designers:Sebastian Clarke and David King, King Living Design Team, King Furniture Australia Pty. Ltd.
Manufacturer:King Furniture Australia Pty. Ltd.
