TOGO Sofas | Partir Ducaroy Sofas

Based on an in-depth study of Michel Ducaroy's original TOGO sofa series, Archetype Forms' Partir Ducaroy seating solution is a modular or independent sofa system built to Ducaroy's original specifications. Our tribute embodies Michel's French Postmodern design with a bohemian touch.

TOGO Sofas | Partir Ducaroy Sofas

Based on an in-depth study of Michel Ducaroy's original TOGO sofa series, Archetype Forms' Partir Ducaroy seating solution is a modular or independent sofa system built to Ducaroy's original specifications. Our tribute embodies Michel's French Postmodern design with a bohemian touch.

TOGO Sofas | Partir Ducaroy Sofas

Partir Ducaroy Collection

Hommage À Michel Ducaroy's TOGO Sofa Series, 1973

Michel Ducaroy designed the original TOGO sofa series for Ligne Roset in 1973. It was the first sofa built entirely from polyurethane foam — it has no frame, no springs, no hard internal structure of any kind. Over 1.5 million original TOGOs have been produced. It is still in production today.

The Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy Sofa series is based on an in-depth study of Michel Ducaroy's original series. It reproduces its design using the same foam, specifications, proportions, and upholstery construction as Ducaroy's original.

What Makes a Good TOGO Reproduction

The TOGO has no frame. Every property of the sofa, including its shape, its support, and how long it holds up, comes from the foam specification, the upholstery construction, and proportions. This is where most reproductions fail and where the differences can be identified.

Foam: Density and Layering

The original TOGO uses three densities of polyether foam in a fixed sequence: a high-density base layer that holds the shape and prevents the seat from spreading under load, a medium-density middle layer that distributes body weight and provides the main support, and a lower-density surface layer that creates the immediate softness on contact. Each layer has a different job.

The Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy is built with the same three densities and in the correct sequence.

Many TOGO reproductions use a single-density foam throughout. The sofa may look similar and feel acceptable at first, but single-density foam compresses evenly under load and does not recover as well over time. Without a denser base layer, the seat spreads and loses definition with regular use. Without the multiple densities, the support and comfort don't last.

Foam: Shipping Method

A significant number of TOGO-style sofas on the market ship vacuum-compressed . These are folded flat or rolled up into a fraction of their finished size. This reduces production and freight costs substantially.

The problem is that high-density polyether foam compressed for weeks or months during shipping and storage can undergo irreversible cellular deformation. It does not fully recover its original volume or resilience once unpacked. The sofa may look correct when new but will lose support and shape faster than one built and shipped in its finished form.

The Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy ships non-compressed, in full volume.

Foam: Long-Term Quality

Even reproductions that ship correctly can use lower-grade polyether foam that degrades faster under regular use regardless of how it was shipped. Low-resilience foam loses its rebound over time. It compresses under load and does not fully return. The seat gradually flattens and the quilted surface loses its definition.

The Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy uses high-resilience polyether foam that maintains rebound and surface definition with regular use.

Upholstery: Batting

The quilted folds of the TOGO are not produced by stretching fabric over foam. They are built into the upholstery cover itself. A layer of polyester batting is sewn directly into the reverse of the outer fabric before the panels are cut. This gives each panel its own volume, creates the inter-panel tension that holds the channels in position, and produces the gathered surface and substantial upholstery volume the original TOGO design is known for.

A cover made without batting, plain fabric stitched and stretched over foam, does not hold its channels correctly and lays flat by comparison.

At the lower end of the market, the fabric is glued directly onto the foam rather than sewn into a structured cover. Adhesive bonds break down with use and temperature change. The material lifts at the edges, detaches in patches, and cannot be pulled back flush. The result is a surface that looks dishevelled and cannot be corrected short of reupholstering.

The Archeype Forms Partir Ducaroy cover is fully sewn with batting integrated throughout. No adhesive is used at any point.

Base and Stability

The underside of each TOGO and Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy module is lined with a tightly woven ticking fabric. This prevents the foam from migrating through the outer cover over time, and the friction of the textile against the floor keeps modules from shifting during use.

Reproductions that skip the ticking base — often identifiable by a plain or synthetic lining — will slide on smooth flooring and tend to feel lighter and less grounded than the original.

Proportions, Quilting, and Button Technique

The Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy was developed from an in-depth study of the original TOGO Sofa Series. We match the foam specification, external proportions, quilting channel placement, and button placement and tension technique. Small deviations can produce a sofa that may pass a photograph but sits, supports, and reads differently in person.

The quilting channels on the Partir Ducaroy and original TOGO sofas and chairs are not evenly spaced; the button positions are specific to each panel. These details determine whether the piece has the correct gathered appearance or simply approximates it.

What to Know Before Buying the TOGO Sofa Series & Quality Reproductions

Seat height and posture. The seat height is 15 inches — substantially lower than a standard sofa (typically 18–20 inches). The backrest angle supports a semi-reclined position. This is a lounging sofa. Most people who try it in a showroom find it immediately comfortable; people who need a sofa for working or formal seating should consider this before ordering.

Taller users. Users above roughly 6'2" often find that leg extension is improved by pairing a module with the Pouf Ottoman.

Cover removal. The upholstery cover is not removable. Spot-clean. The quilted surface holds debris in the seams. It can be vacuumed in the folds to keep it clean.

TOGO Sofa | Partir Ducaroy Modularity

The TOGO | Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy modules connect by contact, not hardware. There are no clips, brackets, or connectors. The weight of each module and the friction of the base fabric keep the arrangement stable during normal use. A fully loaded three-seater does not drift apart while occupied. Modules can be separated and reconfigured without tools.

Mixed upholstery within a single arrangement is straightforward and a designer’s dream: a leather chair can sit alongside a fabric sofa, nubuck and velvet can be mixed together, and a variety of colors can brighten up a room.

The pieces are fully upholstered on all sides, so modules placed away from walls or in the center of a room are attractive from every angle.

TOGO | Partir Ducaroy Dimensions

Pouf Ottoman | 34"W | 32"D | 15"H

Fireside Chair | 35"W | 40"D | 28.25"H

Corner Seat | 40"W | 40"D | 28.25"H

Loveseat (Armless) | 52.5"W | 40"D | 28.25"H

Lounge / Chaise | 64"W | 52"D | 28.25"H

3-Seater (Armless) | 69"W | 40"D | 28.25"H

Medium Sofa (With Arms) | 78"W | 40"D | 28.25"H

All seating modules share a seat height of 15" and a backrest height of 28.25". The Lounge / Chaise has a deeper seat depth of 52"; all others are 40"D.

Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy Upholstery Options

Aniline & Semi-Aniline Leather Tanned with an open-pore process that leaves the surface largely uncoated. Over time, the hide absorbs body oils and develops patina at regular points of contact. It will look different in three years than it does when new, which is characteristic, not a defect.

Aniline leather is the most natural-feeling leather surface. It is also the least protected against spills and abrasion. Clean with a dry cloth; condition every six to twelve months with a product formulated for open-pore leather. Do not spot clean. Clean the entire surface at once as spot cleaning will show visible differences to the rest of the surface.

Nubuck A hide buffed on the grain side to produce a short, standing nap. The result looks and feels similar to suede but comes from the grain side of the hide rather than the split, making it more durable. Matte surface. Develops patina like aniline leather but reads softer in appearance. Requires a nubuck brush for maintenance; do not saturate with water.

For clear oil stains, baby powder can applied and compacted to the surface to absorb it. Leave it for at least 24 hours then brush off. In many cases, the oil marks disappear over time after this application.

Velvet A pile weave. The pile direction changes how the color reads from different angles — a quality called pile shading. Velvet adds visual depth and warmth. Brush periodically in the direction of the weave to maintain the surface.

Chenille Dense looped yarn. Softer and more textural than velvet, with a more casual appearance. Less prone to pilling than lighter pile weaves. Has a soft hand feel.

Boucle A looped weave with a nubby texture. Low sheen, matte. The surface texture reads quietly next to the TOGO's quilted form, which is why it works well with this design.

→ View swatches and colors

TOGO | Partir Ducaroy Care

Vacuum the quilted channels with a soft brush or crevice attachment. Debris that settles into the seam lines should be cleared regularly. For spills on fabric, blot from the outside of the spill inward with a lightly dampened cloth and mild soap — do not rub. For leather and nubuck, see material-specific care guides.

TOGO Sofa Design Background

Michel Ducaroy spent several years developing all-foam seating at Ligne Roset before the TOGO. The Adria, Kali (1970), Safi and Marsala (1971) were earlier experiments working toward the same concept.

The TOGO was where that process concluded. It won the René-Gabriel prize at its Paris debut in 1973, awarded for "innovative and democratic furniture."

The TOGO belongs to a category of foam-structure seating from the same period that includes the Soriana and Le Bambole. Each arrived at the conclusion that a rigid, large internal frame is unnecessary when the foam itself is the structure.

Related collections: Hommage À Afra & Tobia Scarpa — Soriana · Hommage À Mario Bellini — Le Bambole

TOGO Sofa & Quality Reproductions FAQ

Can you sleep on it? The seat planes angle inward at both ends and the backrest rises at a fixed pitch, so the geometry is not flat. Extended rest is possible, with the Lounge / Chaise and longer sofas being the most practical for this. The lounger is closer to a deep recline than a true bed.

How heavy are the modules? 30 to 50 lbs depending on size and upholstery material. Heavy enough to stay in place during use; movable by one person.

Can I mix upholstery materials in one arrangement? Yes. No hardware or connectors are involved, so a leather chair next to a fabric sofa requires no modification.

What separates the Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy from other reproductions? Triple-density polyether foam built to the original specification, a batting-quilted cover with correct channel placement and tension, accurate proportions and button placement based on a study of the original, and a ticking base lining on the underside of each module.

Inferior reproductions typically use single-density foam, often compressed, they skip the batting layer, and are lighter. This affects how they feel, their weight and stability, whether they move around or stay in place on the floor, seating support, and longevity of its shape and form.

TOGO Sofas | Partir Ducaroy Sofas

Partir Ducaroy Collection

Hommage À Michel Ducaroy's TOGO Sofa Series, 1973

Michel Ducaroy designed the original TOGO sofa series for Ligne Roset in 1973. It was the first sofa built entirely from polyurethane foam — it has no frame, no springs, no hard internal structure of any kind. Over 1.5 million original TOGOs have been produced. It is still in production today.

The Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy Sofa series is based on an in-depth study of Michel Ducaroy's original series. It reproduces its design using the same foam, specifications, proportions, and upholstery construction as Ducaroy's original.

What Makes a Good TOGO Reproduction

The TOGO has no frame. Every property of the sofa, including its shape, its support, and how long it holds up, comes from the foam specification, the upholstery construction, and proportions. This is where most reproductions fail and where the differences can be identified.

Foam: Density and Layering

The original TOGO uses three densities of polyether foam in a fixed sequence: a high-density base layer that holds the shape and prevents the seat from spreading under load, a medium-density middle layer that distributes body weight and provides the main support, and a lower-density surface layer that creates the immediate softness on contact. Each layer has a different job.

The Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy is built with the same three densities and in the correct sequence.

Many TOGO reproductions use a single-density foam throughout. The sofa may look similar and feel acceptable at first, but single-density foam compresses evenly under load and does not recover as well over time. Without a denser base layer, the seat spreads and loses definition with regular use. Without the multiple densities, the support and comfort don't last.

Foam: Shipping Method

A significant number of TOGO-style sofas on the market ship vacuum-compressed . These are folded flat or rolled up into a fraction of their finished size. This reduces production and freight costs substantially.

The problem is that high-density polyether foam compressed for weeks or months during shipping and storage can undergo irreversible cellular deformation. It does not fully recover its original volume or resilience once unpacked. The sofa may look correct when new but will lose support and shape faster than one built and shipped in its finished form.

The Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy ships non-compressed, in full volume.

Foam: Long-Term Quality

Even reproductions that ship correctly can use lower-grade polyether foam that degrades faster under regular use regardless of how it was shipped. Low-resilience foam loses its rebound over time. It compresses under load and does not fully return. The seat gradually flattens and the quilted surface loses its definition.

The Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy uses high-resilience polyether foam that maintains rebound and surface definition with regular use.

Upholstery: Batting

The quilted folds of the TOGO are not produced by stretching fabric over foam. They are built into the upholstery cover itself. A layer of polyester batting is sewn directly into the reverse of the outer fabric before the panels are cut. This gives each panel its own volume, creates the inter-panel tension that holds the channels in position, and produces the gathered surface and substantial upholstery volume the original TOGO design is known for.

A cover made without batting, plain fabric stitched and stretched over foam, does not hold its channels correctly and lays flat by comparison.

At the lower end of the market, the fabric is glued directly onto the foam rather than sewn into a structured cover. Adhesive bonds break down with use and temperature change. The material lifts at the edges, detaches in patches, and cannot be pulled back flush. The result is a surface that looks dishevelled and cannot be corrected short of reupholstering.

The Archeype Forms Partir Ducaroy cover is fully sewn with batting integrated throughout. No adhesive is used at any point.

Base and Stability

The underside of each TOGO and Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy module is lined with a tightly woven ticking fabric. This prevents the foam from migrating through the outer cover over time, and the friction of the textile against the floor keeps modules from shifting during use.

Reproductions that skip the ticking base — often identifiable by a plain or synthetic lining — will slide on smooth flooring and tend to feel lighter and less grounded than the original.

Proportions, Quilting, and Button Technique

The Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy was developed from an in-depth study of the original TOGO Sofa Series. We match the foam specification, external proportions, quilting channel placement, and button placement and tension technique. Small deviations can produce a sofa that may pass a photograph but sits, supports, and reads differently in person.

The quilting channels on the Partir Ducaroy and original TOGO sofas and chairs are not evenly spaced; the button positions are specific to each panel. These details determine whether the piece has the correct gathered appearance or simply approximates it.

What to Know Before Buying the TOGO Sofa Series & Quality Reproductions

Seat height and posture. The seat height is 15 inches — substantially lower than a standard sofa (typically 18–20 inches). The backrest angle supports a semi-reclined position. This is a lounging sofa. Most people who try it in a showroom find it immediately comfortable; people who need a sofa for working or formal seating should consider this before ordering.

Taller users. Users above roughly 6'2" often find that leg extension is improved by pairing a module with the Pouf Ottoman.

Cover removal. The upholstery cover is not removable. Spot-clean. The quilted surface holds debris in the seams. It can be vacuumed in the folds to keep it clean.

TOGO Sofa | Partir Ducaroy Modularity

The TOGO | Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy modules connect by contact, not hardware. There are no clips, brackets, or connectors. The weight of each module and the friction of the base fabric keep the arrangement stable during normal use. A fully loaded three-seater does not drift apart while occupied. Modules can be separated and reconfigured without tools.

Mixed upholstery within a single arrangement is straightforward and a designer’s dream: a leather chair can sit alongside a fabric sofa, nubuck and velvet can be mixed together, and a variety of colors can brighten up a room.

The pieces are fully upholstered on all sides, so modules placed away from walls or in the center of a room are attractive from every angle.

TOGO | Partir Ducaroy Dimensions

Pouf Ottoman | 34"W | 32"D | 15"H

Fireside Chair | 35"W | 40"D | 28.25"H

Corner Seat | 40"W | 40"D | 28.25"H

Loveseat (Armless) | 52.5"W | 40"D | 28.25"H

Lounge / Chaise | 64"W | 52"D | 28.25"H

3-Seater (Armless) | 69"W | 40"D | 28.25"H

Medium Sofa (With Arms) | 78"W | 40"D | 28.25"H

All seating modules share a seat height of 15" and a backrest height of 28.25". The Lounge / Chaise has a deeper seat depth of 52"; all others are 40"D.

Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy Upholstery Options

Aniline & Semi-Aniline Leather Tanned with an open-pore process that leaves the surface largely uncoated. Over time, the hide absorbs body oils and develops patina at regular points of contact. It will look different in three years than it does when new, which is characteristic, not a defect.

Aniline leather is the most natural-feeling leather surface. It is also the least protected against spills and abrasion. Clean with a dry cloth; condition every six to twelve months with a product formulated for open-pore leather. Do not spot clean. Clean the entire surface at once as spot cleaning will show visible differences to the rest of the surface.

Nubuck A hide buffed on the grain side to produce a short, standing nap. The result looks and feels similar to suede but comes from the grain side of the hide rather than the split, making it more durable. Matte surface. Develops patina like aniline leather but reads softer in appearance. Requires a nubuck brush for maintenance; do not saturate with water.

For clear oil stains, baby powder can applied and compacted to the surface to absorb it. Leave it for at least 24 hours then brush off. In many cases, the oil marks disappear over time after this application.

Velvet A pile weave. The pile direction changes how the color reads from different angles — a quality called pile shading. Velvet adds visual depth and warmth. Brush periodically in the direction of the weave to maintain the surface.

Chenille Dense looped yarn. Softer and more textural than velvet, with a more casual appearance. Less prone to pilling than lighter pile weaves. Has a soft hand feel.

Boucle A looped weave with a nubby texture. Low sheen, matte. The surface texture reads quietly next to the TOGO's quilted form, which is why it works well with this design.

→ View swatches and colors

TOGO | Partir Ducaroy Care

Vacuum the quilted channels with a soft brush or crevice attachment. Debris that settles into the seam lines should be cleared regularly. For spills on fabric, blot from the outside of the spill inward with a lightly dampened cloth and mild soap — do not rub. For leather and nubuck, see material-specific care guides.

TOGO Sofa Design Background

Michel Ducaroy spent several years developing all-foam seating at Ligne Roset before the TOGO. The Adria, Kali (1970), Safi and Marsala (1971) were earlier experiments working toward the same concept.

The TOGO was where that process concluded. It won the René-Gabriel prize at its Paris debut in 1973, awarded for "innovative and democratic furniture."

The TOGO belongs to a category of foam-structure seating from the same period that includes the Soriana and Le Bambole. Each arrived at the conclusion that a rigid, large internal frame is unnecessary when the foam itself is the structure.

Related collections: Hommage À Afra & Tobia Scarpa — Soriana · Hommage À Mario Bellini — Le Bambole

TOGO Sofa & Quality Reproductions FAQ

Can you sleep on it? The seat planes angle inward at both ends and the backrest rises at a fixed pitch, so the geometry is not flat. Extended rest is possible, with the Lounge / Chaise and longer sofas being the most practical for this. The lounger is closer to a deep recline than a true bed.

How heavy are the modules? 30 to 50 lbs depending on size and upholstery material. Heavy enough to stay in place during use; movable by one person.

Can I mix upholstery materials in one arrangement? Yes. No hardware or connectors are involved, so a leather chair next to a fabric sofa requires no modification.

What separates the Archetype Forms Partir Ducaroy from other reproductions? Triple-density polyether foam built to the original specification, a batting-quilted cover with correct channel placement and tension, accurate proportions and button placement based on a study of the original, and a ticking base lining on the underside of each module.

Inferior reproductions typically use single-density foam, often compressed, they skip the batting layer, and are lighter. This affects how they feel, their weight and stability, whether they move around or stay in place on the floor, seating support, and longevity of its shape and form.