# Supaform Reimagines the Conversation Pit for the 21st Century A modern design space fostering human connection. - **Source:** [design archives | designboom | architecture & design magazine](https://brifing.si/source/11868f8d-1e20-41ac-bc2d-8c5af32d721b) - **Published:** 2026-08-25 - **Topic:** [Design & UX](https://brifing.si/c/design) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/9f7b0405-5d9f-412c-b3de-f494e8a91d7e ## The Revival of the Conversation Pit Supaform brings the iconic conversation pit design of the 20th century into the 21st century. This design aims to create a space that encourages people to gather and converse. Exhibited at the 2026 Milan Design Week, 'Transit Encounters' stood out with its green velvet cushions and built-in turntable system. Unlike the classic pit, the design is elevated on a platform rather than recessed into the floor. ## Inspiration Behind the Design Maxim Shcherbakov, founder of Supaform, drew inspiration from classic conversation pits. Shcherbakov evaluates a sofa not just by its physical dimensions but also by the 'aura' it creates. This idea is reflected in Transit Encounters' flexible seating arrangement around a central space. The design reinterprets the flexibility of traditional pits with different seating heights and sloped backs. ## Safety and Practicality Conversation pits popular in the 1960s fell out of fashion due to safety concerns. Supaform overcame this issue by elevating Transit Encounters above the ground. The design requires participants to remove their shoes to sit, which initially caused hesitation. However, once one person stepped in, others followed, quickly filling the space. ## Events and Interaction Transit Encounters hosted various events during Milan Design Week. During talks with Design Hotels, speakers sat on the sofa while guests gathered around the edges. During DJ performances, participants sat right next to the musicians, watching the live performance up close. This provided a unique experience. ## Design Details Transit Encounters features green velvet cushions, sloped backs, and handlebars. The design has a cream-colored frame reminiscent of 1980s retro-futurism. The built-in turntable system makes the space versatile for both seating and music entertainment, showcasing its multifunctionality. ## Participants' Experience During the event, participants' interactions with the design were observed. Initially hesitant visitors gained courage when one person stepped in. Participants sitting in different spots interacted with the sofa in various ways, highlighting its potential to bring people together. ## The Future of the Design Supaform's Transit Encounters design reinterprets the conversation pit concept in a modern way. This design could inspire future interior designs. Such designs that bring people together and encourage interaction could play a significant role in social events. ## Conclusion and Impact Supaform's Transit Encounters successfully reimagines the classic conversation pit concept in a modern way. This design created a space that brings people together and encourages interaction. Such designs are expected to be used more in future interiors. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.designboom.com/design/supaform-creating-conversation-pit-21st-century/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._