In 1974, Roche Bobois opened its first showroom in the United States on Madison Avenue in New York City. The celebrated luxury French furniture brand is now in 50 countries with more than 200 stores.
The Roche Bobois story has origins in 1950, when entrepreneur Jacques Roche converted an old Paris theater into two contemporary furniture boutiques so that his sons could help usher stunning Bauhaus-inspired work out of the shops and into French homes nearby.
At another showroom called Au Beau Bois, also in the French capital city, the Chouchan family was simultaneously selling home furnishings. The families met later, when Philippe and François Roche convened with Patrick and Jean-Claude Chouchan at a furniture exhibition in Copenhagen in 1960 and afterward produced a catalog announcing their partnership.
Minimal and modernist Scandinavian design had gained prominence in the furniture industry by 1960, rendering designers such as Kaare Klint and Poul Henningsen marquee names — and Roche Bobois's principals had taken notice. Following a national advertising campaign in Elle magazine a year later, the Scandinavian furniture that the newly minted Roche Bobois was importing to Paris became a huge success. Early promotional material from the firm likely included the sleek modular wall units crafted in rosewood by Danish furniture maker Poul Cadovius. It didn’t take long for Roche Bobois to shift toward producing its own contemporary furniture line.
When the popularity of cable television took hold in more major American cities during the 1970s, sofas and other seating became integral to contemporary living-room decor. Roche Bobois’s newly launched Les Contemporains series positioned its own sofas front and center, and it also offered plush lounge chairs designed by Mario Bellini.
Bold works from the company during the decade included Marc Berthier’s Pop Art–colored tubular metal desks and chairs — the latter covered with braided fabric — as well as one of Roche Bobois’s most enduring and well-known pieces, the Mah Jong sectional sofa created by sculptor, painter and designer Hans Hopfer. Anchored by few central elements, this modular lounge sofa can be combined or stacked, giving the buyer total freedom over its appearance and the ability to maximize comfort.
Since its inception, Roche Bobois has worked with many internationally renowned architects and designers on its collections, among them Paola Navone and Vladimir Kagan. Even fashion designers such as Missoni and Emanuel Ungaro have made contributions to the company’s lineup.
In 2010, Roche Bobois marked its 50-year anniversary by debuting a partnership with French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier. A decade later, Roche Bobois teamed up with Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, who designed a collection of organically shaped sofas as well as vibrant, colorful accent pillows and rugs.
Roche Bobois’s offerings over the years have included everything from mid-century modern armchairs to Art Deco case pieces to sculptural outdoor cocktail tables framed in metal wire — shop these classics now on 1stDibs.
Roche Bobois Mah Jong Sectional Sofa, Set of Eight
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Rochester, England
The Roche Bobois Mah Jong Sectional Sofa, Set of Eight, is a vibrant and versatile icon of modern design. Designed in the 1980s, this modular set allows for endless seating configura...
Fabric, Foam
Roche Bobois Scenario Sectional Sofa by Sacha Lakic
By Roche Bobois
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the ultimate in luxury and style - the Scenario Sectional Sofa by Roche Bobois. This stunning piece features a sleek and modern design, with plush cushions and a spacious seating area for ultimate comfort. The high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship ensure durability and longevity, making it a timeless addition to any living space. With its versatile modular design, the Scenario Sectional Sofa can be configured to fit any room layout, making it perfect for both large and small spaces. Elevate your home decor with this exquisite piece from Roche Bobois. Have you heard about our free same-day returns? If you're not happy with your item when it arrives for delivery, we’ll return it on the spot! *Please Note that items shown together are sold separately unless specified as a set in the title. Condition Notes: The Roche Bobois Scenario...
Leather
Roche Bobois Memento Sectional Sofa with Leather Side Bookcases
By Roche Bobois
Located in Rochester, England
Elevate your living space with the Roche Bobois Memento Sectional Sofa. This masterpiece combines luxurious style with unmatched functionality, featuring a spacious seating arrangeme...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
B&B Italia Michel Club Modular Sofa by Antonio Citterio
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the epitome of luxury and comfort - the Michel Club Modular Sofa by B&B Italia. Crafted with the finest materials and designed with the utmost attention to detail, th...
Metal
Roche Bobois Agami Sofa
By Roche Bobois
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the Agami Sofa by Roche Bobois, a stunning addition to any modern living space. Crafted with the highest quality materials, this sofa boasts a sleek and contemporary desi...
Leather
Flexform Feel Good Ten Alto Three Seater Sofa by Antonio Citterio
By Antonio Citterio
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the ultimate in luxury and comfort - the Feel Good Ten Alto Three Seater Sofa by Flexform. This stunning piece features a sleek and modern design, crafted with the highes...
Metal
Roche Bobois Mah Jong Sectional Sofa by Hans Hopfer, Multicolor
By Roche Bobois
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Roche Bobois "Mah Jong" – Modular corner sofa, designed by Hans Hopfer, 2000s A modular arrangement consisting of 12 seats and 6 backrests, configured in a corner layout. Designed by...
Cotton, Satin, Velvet
Roche Bobois Modular Sofa with Kenzo Fabric 1990 Italy
By Kenzo Takada, Roche Bobois
Located in Conversano, IT
Extraordinary modular sofa from the iconic “Voyage Immobile” collection by Roche Bobois, designed during the 1990s — a rare and highly collectible exam...
Fabric
Mah Jong sofa in ‘Kenzo Takada’ fabric by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois France
By Roche Bobois
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Very nice Mah Jong modular sofa with the original and colorfull ‘Kenzo Takada’ fabric! Designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois France. In the 1970s Hans Hopfer created the Mah Jong...
Fabric
Mah Jong Modular 3-Piece Sofa Suite by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Basel, BS
An iconic three-piece Mah Jong lounge suite, by Roche Bobois, groundbreaking modular seating concept designed by Hans Hopfer in 1971. This set embraces the "ground-level living" revolution of the Space Age era, discarding traditional constraints to offer complete freedom of form, comfort, and interactive layout. **Special edition Seat backs feature adjustable back rests that can adjust the position into 4 different adjusted levels. The Mah Jong sofa is manufactured in a dedicated, specialized workshop located in Italy. Each modular element is entirely hand-made and hand-stitched, functioning much like an haute couture fashion studio Design & Configuration The set is balanced across three primary, highly adaptable elements: • One Black Seat Element complete with an integrated, adjustable low-profile backrest. • One Red Seat Element featuring a matching structural backrest for supportive, laid-back comfort. • One Orange Ottoman...
Foam
21stC "Mah Jong" Sectional Sofa By Hans Hopfer For Roche Bobois, France c.2000
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Elevate a living space with this stunning designer “Mah Jong” modular sofa suite by Roche Bobois. The set consists of eight seat cushions, and four backrests. Perfect for any lounge,...
Fabric
21stC "Mah Jong" Sectional Sofa By Hans Hopfer For Roche Bobois, France c.2000
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Elevate a living space with this stunning designer “Mah Jong” modular sofa suite by Roche Bobois. The set consists of two seat cushions, and two backrests. The layout of the sofa mak...
Fabric
