A couch is a piece of furniture that is usually big, bulky, and heavy, regardless of style, material, and price.

And anyone that’s had to schlep a couch up the stairs and through narrow apartment hallways knows that they can be challenging to move around. Moreover, sofas are generally not recyclable and end up in a landfill or by the side of the highway after a few years of service.

IKEA’s independent research and design lab SPACE10 recently took on the task of reimagining the couch using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop a new type of couch that is functional, comfortable, modular, easy to transport, and made from more sustainable materials. SPACE10, in partnership with Swiss studio Panter&Tourron, has unveiled the “Couch in an Envelope,” which challenges sofa design conventions while commenting on AI assistance.