German designer and artist Hans Hopfer had a profound impact on furniture design that still guides the choices we make about our spaces today. Affectionately dubbed “seating landscapes,” Hopfer’s forward-looking collections of inviting, modular low-profile seating, such as the widely revered Mah Jong sofa for Roche Bobois, allowed for optimal customized arrangements in one’s living room, an innovation that reshaped relaxation at home in a significant and lasting way.
Hopfer designed modern furniture for a manufacturer in Nuremberg during the 1960s. He met Phillippe Roche in 1970 and began his collaboration with the Roche Bobois company. 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 Roche Bobois during the decade included one of its most enduring and well-known pieces — the Mah Jong sectional sofa created by Hopfer in 1971. 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 with its plump cushions. Inspired by a tile-based game that originated in China, the Mah Jong has been in production since its debut. It is still handmade in a workshop in Italy today.
Composed of low seating elements and large cushions, Hopfer’s Mah Jong sofa has seen some high-profile fabric updates by Missoni, Jean Paul Gaultier and Japanese clothing designer Kenzo Takada, who worked with Roche Bobois to craft fabrics emblazoned with geometrically dynamic patterns to be used as upholstery for the firm’s iconic piece of furniture.
Primarily a sculptor and painter by trade, Hopfer worked and lived between Buenos Aires, Nuremberg and Paris. In addition to the work he did for Roche Bobois — which included his Informel armchairs and sofas — he also created modular furniture for the Wiener Werkstatte, a collective of artists and designers born from the Vienna Secession art movement in Austria during the early 20th century.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Hans Hopfer lounge chairs, armchairs and sofas.
Jean-Paul Gaultier Mah Jong Sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer, Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An iconic and chic Jean Paul Gaultier edition Mah Jong modular sectional sofa designed by Hans Hopfer (Germany b. 1931) for Roche Bobois. The dramatic 21st century sofa features excl...
Fabric, Foam
Mah Jong Kenzo Platform Sofa Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois 21st C
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer, Kenzo Takada
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An iconic and rare 21st century Mah Jong "Composition Natsu-Kenzo Takada" sectional modular sofa with gilt beech wood platforms. The Natsu sofa was commissioned in 2021 to mark the 5...
Fabric, Foam, Beech
Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte Castell Sectional Sofa in Cognac Leather
By Wiener Werkstätte, Hans Hopfer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte 'Castell' modular sofa, leather, Austria, design 1972 Stunning and sizable modular sofa designed by Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte. This grand ...
Leather
Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobios Post-Modern Croissant Sofa in Off-White Fabric
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, sofa, reupholstered fabric, France, late 1970s The Croissant sofa, designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, epitomizes the organic and fluid design ...
Fabric
Mah-Jong Sofa Set by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, 12 Pieces
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer, Kenzo Takada
Located in Seattle, WA
A 12-piece Mah-Jong sofa designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, in a mix of Kenzo Takada Fabric and Missoni Fabric. The set is in good condition, with light fabric wear on a few p...
Fabric, Foam
Mah-Jong Sectional Sofa Set by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, 18 Pieces
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois, Kenzo Takada
Located in Seattle, WA
A substantial 18 pieces Mah-Jong sofa designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, in a mix of Kenzo Takada Fabric and Missoni Fabric. The set is in good condition, with light fabric we...
Fabric, Foam
Mah Jong Sofa, Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois
By Hans Hopfer
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Mah Jong Sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois. Fully modular design allows for sofa to be set up as a sectional, a long sofa, or a conversation pit. A rare example in a textured, k...
Fabric, Foam
$35,888 / set
Mah Jong sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Marseille, FR
Mah Jong sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, 1970s, entirely reupholstered by Relax Factory workshop in Marseille, France, in a beautiful Limon linen Pierre Frey fabric. Excellent...
Linen
Hans Hopfer 'Mah Jong' Sectional Sofa Lounge Chair by Roche Bobois, France 1990s
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Wien, AT
In 1971, Hans Hopfer created the Mah Jong Sofa for Roche Bobois: a system of fully modular floor units that champion complete freedom of form and function. Avant-garde at the time of...
Fabric
Mah Jong by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois 1st Edition Sofa
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare and iconic 1st edition circa 1971 Mah Jong modular sectional sofa consisting of ten element pillows. The sofa was designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in this avant-garde de...
Fabric, Foam
Hans Hopfer for Neue Wiener Werkstätte 'Castell' Sectional Sofa
By Hans Hopfer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Neue Wiener Werkstätte 'Castell' modular sofa, leather, Austria, design 1972 Stunning and sizable modular sofa designed by Hans Hopfer for Neue Wiener Werkstätte. Th...
Leather
$35,888 / set
Mah Jong sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Marseille, FR
Mah Jong sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, 1970s, entirely reupholstered by Relax Factory workshop in Marseille, France, in a beautiful Limon linen Pierre Frey fabric. Excellent...
Linen
Mah Jong Roche Bobois Modular Corner Sofa 4 Seats 12 Elements
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Milano, MI
Gorgeous Roche Bobois 4-seat sofa composed of 8 cushions and 4 backs 3 of the 4 backrests are liftable. The sofa is made of a mix of fine Roche Bobois fabrics in excellent condition...
Cotton, Velvet
Hans Hopfer for Neue Wiener Werkstätte Modular 'Castell' Sofa with Side Tables
By Hans Hopfer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte 'Castell' modular sofa and tables, glass, metal, fabric, ash, Austria, design 1972, later production Stunning and sizable modular sofa designed by ...
Fabric
Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois Post-Modern Lounge in Off-White Fabric
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, lounge chair, reupholstered fabric, France, late 1970s This substantial lounge chair as part of the 'Croissant' sofa is designed by Hans Hopfer for Ro...
Fabric
Exceptional XL Mah Jong ‘Sonia RykieL’ sofa 2011 by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois
By Hans Hopfer
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Mah Jong Modular Sofa – Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois (Sonia Rykiel Edition, 2011) Striped Satin & Jacquard Couture Edition with Matching Rug When haute couture met radical modular d...
Fabric
Black leather Player sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, France, 1972
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Lyon, FR
Rare Modular “Player” Sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, Early 1970s A rare and iconic modular sofa designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in 1972. Upholstered in supple black ...
Leather
Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte Castell Lounge Chair in Cognac Leather
By Hans Hopfer, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte 'Castell' lounge chair, leather, Austria, design 1972 Stunning and sizable lounge chair designed by Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte. This grand ...
Leather
Rare Hans Hopfer 'Super Lounge' Sofa for Roche Bobois - France 1970s
By Jean Paul Gaultier, Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Very rare “Super Lounge” sectional sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois. This model is very similar to the Mah Jong sectional sofa by Hans Hopfer but much rarer. A Sculptural Icon o...
Fabric, Velvet, Foam, Bentwood
Hans Hopfer 'Dromadaire' Sectional Sofa in beige mohair velvet, Roche Bobois
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in amstelveen, NL
Hans Hopfer 'Dromadaire' Sectional Sofa in Mohair wool, Roche Bobois, 1970 Sectional sofa designed by Hans Hopfer and manufactured by Roche Bobois in France circa 1970. A very rare ...
Mohair, Velvet
French colorful modular sofa Mah Jong by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, 2000s
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in MIlano, IT
French colorful modular sofa Mah Jong by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, 2000s Modular sofa mod. Mah Jong composed of 12 square cushions, padded ...
Fabric
$22,646Sale Price|30% Off
Roche Bobois Eighteen Piece Mah Jong Set
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Rochester, England
The Roche Bobois Mah Jong Sofa, a design icon by Hans Hopfer, epitomises modular versatility and luxurious comfort. The set showcases Roche Bobois' signature patterns, creating a har...
Foam, Upholstery
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
Ultra rare Paysage - Landscape sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois France 1978
By Hans Hopfer
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Very stylish & rare ‘Paysage’ modular sofa. The new fabric type and color closely resemble those of the original cuddly velvet upholstery. Additionally, the original sketches and the purchase receipt is available. The reupholstery was carried out with careful consideration for the original stitching and overall cluddy character of this beauty. Designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois France 1978; This sofa features lines that evoke the beauty of flower petals, representing both elegance and sophistication while encouraging relaxation. Its name translates to "Landscape" in French, reflecting its organic contours and design. Created by Hans Hopfer, renowned for his signature Mah Jong and Dromadaire sofas...
Velvet
Mah Jong Roche Bobois 8-piece sofa by H. Hopfer fine Missoni fabrics
By Missoni, Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Milano, MI
gorgeous Mah Jong model modular seating set from Roche Bobois. This set produced in the early 2000s comes from prestigious residence and has never been used. the fabrics used are of ...
Cotton, Satin, Velvet
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
Rare Vintage Dromadaire Sectional Sofa by Hans hopfer for Roche Bobois France
By Hans Hopfer
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Hans Hopfer ‘Dromadaire’ Sectional Sofa for Roche Bobois, 1974 Textured Bouclé Modular Seating Landscape with Sculptural Backrests A rare and architecturally composed example of Han...
Bouclé
Roche Bobois Hans Hopfer Vintage Informel Cognac Aniline Leather Lounge Chair
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Roche Bobois armchair Lounge Chair Model Informel in cognac brandy soft aniline leather. Design by Hans Hopfer in the late 70ties. Original l...
Leather, Upholstery, Foam
Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois Croissant Sofa with Lounge Chair Off-White Fabric
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, sofa with lounge chair reupholstered fabric, France, late 1970s The Croissant sofa with lounge chair, designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, epito...
Fabric
Informel Chair by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. We have another available in different condition if interested. Made in France. Quilted cotton with foam structure. Extremely rare in USA. Cotton cover zips off for easy cl...
Cotton