Once a hallmark of mid-century architecture, the sunken lounge or conversation pit reentered the pop culture lexicon in the 2010s, thanks in part to its scene-stealing appearance in Don Draper’s apartment in Mad Men.
Since then, the retro design has resurfaced across screens, from the latest Fantastic Four episode to the Alien: Earth TV series.
You could be forgiven for thinking on social media that it’s 1967, with sunken lounges and mid-century modern interiors enjoying viral status.
“Sunken lounges once provided the backdrop for long conversations, lively parties and slow-burning cigarettes in ashtrays. For those who grew up with MCM interiors, there is a sense of nostalgia and romance in their revival,” says interior designer Jessica Ellis Coulter.
“While for Gen Z it’s more about escapism or ambition. In a world of overstimulation, white-box minimalism and algorithm-driven living, mid-century style feels like an escape hatch to something more human.”
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But are we simply witnessing a wave of social media-fueled sentimentality, or is the sunken lounge experiencing a resurgence in Australian homes?
“I think they are having a real resurgence, but only if they are a good fit for the project,” Ms Coulter said.
“It’s never something I would force into a plan, because a sunken lounge requires generosity of space and a clear interior intention to work. When clients request it, it’s usually in architecturally designed homes with a modernist sensibility, or in family homes designed with entertaining in mind.”
Robert Davidov of Davidov Architects said clients have consistently requested sunken lounges for more than a decade, but nostalgia is only part of their appeal.
“Because the sunken lounge is so closely linked to modernism, they still feel relevant to the way we design and live today. Cultural references may have helped to visually reintroduce the idea, but the deeper appeal is about creating spaces that support encounters, connections and add real warmth.”
Mr Davidov’s company recently designed a visually striking sunken lounge for a luxury home in Caulfield North.
“The client was clear that they did not want a conventional lounge that blocked the view of the garden and beyond. By lowering the space rather than building it up, the sight line could remain open and uninterrupted,” he explained.
“The brief was to create a space that felt intentional, social and provide an anchor for the family to gather. Caulfield North is also an area of Melbourne with a strong mid-century heritage, so that sat quietly in the background of the project.”
A brief submerged history
Originally an American phenomenon, the sunken lounge emerged from mid-century modern architecture as a way to create intimacy in open-plan homes.
Influenced by the thinking of Frank Lloyd Wright and later popularized by mid-century designers, the version most people recognize can be traced back to Eero Saarinen’s 1957 Irwin Miller House and his later work on New York’s TWA Terminal.
The sunken lounge of the TWA Flight Center has been restored to its original glory. Photo: Getty
By the 1960s, sunken living spaces had become a defining feature of domestic architecture in the United States.
However, in Australia they appeared more selectively, usually in architecturally designed houses of the 1960s and 1970s rather than in mainstream homes.
The sunken lounge evolved from mid-century modern architecture. Image: realestate.com.au
“Australian architects such as Robin Boyd and Harry Seidler explored level changes and sunken living zones as a way to shape social spaces without walls,” says Jessica Ellis Coulter. “It was less about the theatrical ‘pit’ and more about informality, lifestyle and how people came together naturally.”
Today, mid-century Australian homes that retain their original sunken lounges are increasingly rare, which makes this architectural family oasis in leafy Strathdale so striking.
Mid-century Australian homes that retain their original sunken lounges are becoming increasingly rare, such as this house at 38-40 Butcher Street, Strathdale. Image: realestate.com.au
Designed by celebrated Sri Lankan architect Bala Balendra, the residence introduces a refined form of Asian-influenced modernism to Bendigo, anchored by a beautifully preserved sunken lounge at its heart.
Design of the contemporary sunken lounge
When it comes to the sunken lounge of the 2020s, Ms Coulter said little has changed and the same core design principles still apply.
“Frank Lloyd Wright used lowered living spaces to promote connection and intimacy – that intention hasn’t aged yet. Stepping down into a space that feels grounded and where people are still working,” she said.
“What I’ve always liked about the original sunken lounges is that they weren’t designed around a television. They were social spaces for conversation, connection and presence. When we design them today, that purity of intention remains the starting point.”
What has evolved, however, is comfort, particularly advances in upholstery.
“Memory and gel-reinforced foam, along with layered cushioning, allow today’s sunken lounges to be much more comfortable and supportive than their counterparts from the ’60s and ’70s.”
According to Michael Drescher, director of interior design at DKO, many homeowners achieve the sunken lounge aesthetic affordably through modular furniture.
“Structurally galvanizing a lounge can be complex and expensive, but furniture can achieve a similar effect. Large L-shaped, curved or round sofas can envelop you and create an intimate, conversational feeling,” he said.
“We use this type of furniture to create a conversation pit not only for homes, but also for hotel lobbies and rooftop spaces.”
The sunken lounge is expected to remain popular in contemporary homes due to its multi-functionality. Image: realestate.com.au
Ms Coulter said the sunken lounge will remain a popular design element in modern homes due to their multi-functionality.
“They are not precious spaces. They are lived in, generous and designed to support the full rhythm of daily life. They work as well for entertainment and socializing as they do for everyday family life – a place to gather with friends, stretch out for a Sunday afternoon nap or watch a movie.”
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