The Conversation Pit Makes a Big Comeback in These Fabulous Sunken Living Spaces
Step down into the history of the conversation pit—from its heyday to its recent revival—with some contemporary examples of the groovy living room typology.
They say that everything that goes out of style comes back again, and the conversation pit is a prime example. Although it was popularized in the 1950s and 1960s, the origins of the recessed seating design can be traced back to several different cultures, from ancient China to medieval Spain. These sunken living spaces were designed so that large groups could comfortably lounge together with cozy rugs and cushions.
The first conversation pit is largely credited to architect Bruce Goff, who designed a 1927 home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a sunken seating area. Fast forward to the 1950s and 1960s, when leading modernist designers and architects including Eero Saarinen, Paul Rudolph, and Alexander Girard began developing conversation pits and sunken rooms for both residential and commercial spaces. In the ensuing decades, the conversation pit became a popular living room typology.
The 1952 Miller House, designed by Saarinen and Girard, is often seen as the catalyst for the pit’s popularity. Located in Columbus, Indiana, the home was built with a short staircase leading down to a sunken living room outlined with a single, continuous sofa. The home was very influential, and soon, sunken living rooms could be found across the nation. By the 1970s, the conversation pit hit the pinnacle of its popularity. The reasons for the subsequent decline of the design trend are varied—in some cases it wasn’t practical for families with children, and in others it simply felt outdated.
However, over the past few years, architects have begun to experiment again with creating these recessed spaces, often incorporating modern materials, fresh color palettes, and outdoor settings to make the typology feel updated. Here, we’ve gathered some of our favorite contemporary celebrations of the conversation pit and sunken living room.
Sarah Buder is Dwell’s Culture Editor. She focuses on stories at the intersection of architecture and design with entertainment, travel, identity, the internet, and more. She’s particularly pro-knickknacks.