Low-Level Living

In traditional Moroccan homes, low upholstered seating, known as sedari, is commonly arranged along the walls of a salon. This leaves the centre of the room available for a table and allows several people to sit together.

Contemporary interpretations include built-in benches, recessed seating areas and low wooden platforms with removable cushions.

Unlike freestanding furniture, integrated seating is designed around the dimensions of a particular room. An alcove can accommodate a fitted bench, while a long wall provides an opportunity for continuous seating without several individual chairs.

A Contemporary Interpretation in Marrakech

An interesting example can be found in the work of Atelier Mayer, an interior design studio with a residential project in Marrakech.

The property's living room takes inspiration from sculptural architecture and includes bespoke banquettes constructed in Moroccan tadelakt plaster.

Rather than introducing a conventional sofa, the seating becomes part of the room's architectural structure. Textured wool cushions made by a local women's cooperative provide comfort, while Berber sofas by Soufiane Zarib introduce another interpretation of traditional Moroccan seating.

The project also combines vintage furniture and objects from different periods, demonstrating how built-in seating can work alongside individual design pieces.

Designing Around Low Seating

Low-level living can be introduced without redesigning an entire room.

A wooden platform with fitted cushions offers an alternative to a traditional sofa, while a built-in bench can make use of an alcove or an otherwise unused wall.

Seat depth, cushion support and the height of accompanying tables are important considerations. A seating area intended for conversation may require a different arrangement from one designed for reading or reclining.

Very low furniture can also be difficult to use for people with limited mobility. Combining low seating with conventional chairs allows a room to accommodate different preferences.

Atelier Mayer's Marrakech project provides an example of how seating can become an architectural feature while retaining the comfort and flexibility of a living room.

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