Thomas Hildebrand on the ds-80 daybed
The Monocle Book of Designers on Sofas | 10.2025
Thomas Hildebrand’s workplace, a former hydroelectric plant, is a dialogue between past and present. His 1969 De Sede daybed bears the patina of decades of use, while the bespoke timber wall that it’s set against proves his philosophy that outstanding design deserves reinvention.
At the back of Thomas Hildebrand’s Zürich office sits a ds-80 daybed by Swiss manufacturer De Sede. Purchased on Ebay, the vintage piece produced in 1969 is upholstered in plush black leather and set on a wooden slatted base. Despite being more than five decades old, it is ageing gracefully, fitting neatly with the design narrative of Hildebrand’s office – a former hydroelectric power plant that has been adapted and reimagined several times.
Today he refers to the building as being in its fifth life. And the sofa, like the office space, is a study in giving an outstanding work of design new life. “You do not always need to make something new,” he says, of the decision to furnish his space with the ds-80, rather than a newer sofa. “If something still works well, you keep it.” Hildebrand says that part of the appeal lies in memories of De Sede furniture from his childhood, especially in the homes of design-conscious family and friends. The company, founded in 1962, has produced several Swiss classics and the ds-80 is among them. Its form is unpretentious and enduring, with no exaggerated curves or flourishes. It relies instead on solid materials and clean lines to make a point.
In the office, the daybed is used casually and often. There are no rules. It is a place for meetings, reading or the occasional rest. “You can really lie down on it,” says Hildebrand. “That is what makes a sofa good. You should be able to take a proper nap.” Over time, the leather has softened and darkened. The patina, he says, is one of its best features – a surface that tells the story of time and use.
Though he has not designed a sofa himself, Hildebrand says that he knows what he wants from one: it should be well made, comfortable and flexible, suited not only for sitting but for stretching out and slowing down. The ds-80 meets all those criteria and does so without demanding attention. Indeed, its humility allows the daybed to sit gently alongside one of Hildebrand’s works: a timber wall composed of identically milled wooden elements that now serves as a room divider and acoustic buffer.
The wooden structure was originally developed for a 2022 exhibition – Touch Wood by Gramazio Kohler Research at ETH – that Hildebrand co-curated. After two years in storage, the wall found its way into his studio: it fits perfectly, bringing tactility and warmth to the space. What was once an exhibition centrepiece now finds a new life in the office – together, the daybed and the wall form a quiet dialogue between past and present. One is a piece of Swiss design heritage from the 1960s; the other a contemporary experiment in pattern and repetition. Both are reused. Both remain beautiful. For Hildebrand, it is this balance that matters.
About the sofa
The ds-80 daybed, introduced by Swiss manufacturer De Sede, is an enduring icon of relaxed luxury. Designed by De Sede’s in-house creative team, it features a distinctive, low-slung profile. Its narrow, high-quality seat has a patchwork leather construction, resting atop a frame of filigree wooden slats. This piece exemplifies the manufacturer’s mastery of leather craftsmanship; the brand evolved from a saddlery workshop and is renowned for its meticulously handcrafted sofas and seating.
About the owner
Thomas Hildebrand founded his namesake Zürich-based practice in 2007, which is recognised for an architectural style that prioritises precise detailing and a thoughtful response to site and programme. The result? Projects that are impactful, robust and enduring. Key works include a number of residential projects – many of them noted for their refined concrete finishes and wood interior details – and a sports centre in Sargans near the border with Liechtenstein, where a lightweight wooden façade strikes a balance between aesthetics and function.
