Designing the perfect sofa for a public space is no easy feat. Some days, it needs to seat a crowd; other days, it’s a quiet perch for one. In lobbies, libraries, offices, and cultural centers, seating has to do it all – without hogging space or sacrificing style. That’s where Cargo, the new modular seating system from Swedish design brand Mizetto, comes in. Flexible, bold, and sculptural, it’s seating designed to adapt at a moment’s notice.
Cargo may be Mizetto’s first sofa, but it’s a dream years in the making. “We’ve always dreamed of creating our own sofa,” says Richard Muskala, co-founder of Mizetto. “But with sofas, the journey from idea to reality can be a long one. At the same time, we love tackling a new challenge – it’s a driving force that runs through the entire company. Now, the time felt right for our first sofa.” To bring the vision to life, Mizetto tapped Kalmar-based design studio ADDI, the same team behind their award-winning Lumber bench.
Inspired by cargo packages, the modular sofa borrows both its name and visual cues from the world of logistics. Like its namesake, it emphasizes compactness, flexibility, and smart construction. The system is composed of three elements: Pouf (a simple ottoman), Level (a seat with backrest), and Corner (a pouf with two backrests). Each is built from molded polyurethane foam, upholstered in fabric or leather, and mounted on a base of plywood and chipboard. A hidden connector beneath each piece allows for seamless assembly.
Rooted in the geometry of a cube, the forms feel familiar yet fresh thanks to the addition of visible tension straps – offered in matching fabric or jacquard nylon – that lend an unexpected graphic detail. A small tray table can be inserted between cushions, locking into place to offer added function. Configurable in countless ways, Cargo easily adapts to a range of public settings, from open-plan offices to communal lounges. “We like to think of Cargo as more than a piece of furniture,” says Karl-Magnus Lillqvist Sjöberg, product designer at ADDI. “It’s a tool for creating space in a room.”
Staying true to its sustainability ethos, Mizetto sources materials locally, with suppliers located just miles from its Kalmar-based factory. The upholstery is attached with Velcro, allowing for easy removal, repair, or refresh over time. “The fabric can also be swapped out on-site at the client’s location – instead of the whole thing being sent back to us,” notes Malin Muskala, co-founder of Mizetto. “That’s a major advantage in terms of sustainability, especially given how much we export.” Even the molded padding is designed with longevity in mind: it detaches cleanly from the frame since it isn’t glued down, reinforcing Cargo’s built-to-last philosophy.
With its modular versatility and sculptural simplicity, Cargo challenges the very definition of a sofa. “We wanted to explore what a piece of seating furniture can be – beyond the traditional sofa format,” says Lillqvist Sjöberg. “Cargo is the outcome of curiosity about how a simple volume can evolve into something more – something that both defines and opens up a space.” Designed for spaces in flux like offices, libraries, lobbies, and beyond, Cargo is not just a place to sit, but a tool to shape how people move, gather, and connect.
Malin and Richard Muskala, cofounders of Mizetto
To learn more about the Cargo modular sofa by Mizetto and ADDI, visit mizetto.se.
Photography courtesy of Mizetto.
