Silver Furniture Design · 2025
Osso Chair
by Wongsun Yoo
- A' Design Award 2025 Silver Winner in Furniture Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Yoo Wongsun
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 53,056
- Verification code FBD96DC263 · Verify this award
About Osso Chair
The Osso chair captivates one's attention with its striking silhouette. The chair is both Baroque and Minimalist, with its curved beams, bent seats, and a circular backrest layers up to the back like a spine, hence, Osso. Though the joineries seem effortless, the design follows architectural principles for strength and rhythm, reminiscent of traditional Oriental architecture. In collaboration between the young designer with seasoned French cabinetmakers Brimbois, the design is elevated by applying century old techniques and finishes to new contemporary pieces.
Positioned within the continuum of furniture design that bridges craft tradition and sculptural aspiration, the Osso Chair by Wongsun Yoo emerges as a meditation on the essential geometries that have long preoccupied makers concerned with the poetics of seating. The work appears to engage directly with the legacy of mid-twentieth-century Scandinavian masters who elevated the humble chair to the status of functional sculpture, yet Yoo's distinctive contribution lies in the bold introduction of the circular back element, a form that simultaneously references organic natural phenomena and the pure geometries of modernist abstraction. The technical accomplishment evident in the seamless integration of this disc within the linear framework speaks to considerable mastery of wood joinery and an understanding of structural forces, as the circle appears to float within its supporting armature while the sweeping curves of the armrests create visual continuity with the encompassing gesture. The chromatic restraint, limiting the palette to the deep warmth of ebonized wood against the soft luminosity of natural textile, demonstrates sophisticated understanding of material dialogue where contrast serves to heighten appreciation of each surface quality. One might observe how the three-legged base creates both visual and actual stability through triangulation, an engineering solution that achieves elegance through economy of means. The seat cushion, rendered in what appears to be a textured woven fabric, introduces tactile warmth that humanizes the geometric precision of the wooden structure, suggesting the designer's attention to the embodied experience of sitting as much as the visual experience of looking. The work invites consideration of how furniture might function simultaneously as utilitarian object and contemplative presence within domestic space, how a chair might offer not merely physical support but visual nourishment, becoming a focal point that rewards sustained attention through the subtle pleasures of proportion, material, and form harmoniously resolved.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- While the joineries appear effortless, much like bones, the framework is informed by architectural principles that enhance structural integrity while creating a visually dynamic rhythm reminiscent of traditional Oriental architecture. Rather than relying on thick, bulky materials for stability, the beams curve and interlace to form a cross-bracing structure. This allows the chair to support a concave seat that follows the contours of human anatomy, reducing pressure points compared to flat seats. The gap between the double columns at the back naturally accommodates the horizontal components, seamlessly supporting the plates and reinforcing the design's harmony.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 710mm x Depth 550mm x Height 835mm
- Tags
- Heritage driven design, Fusion of tradition and technology, Ergonomic design, Comfortable seating, Craftsmanship, Timber structure, Sustainability
- Production Technology
- The production process bridges technology and craftsmanship. On one side, a strong focus on geometry and modularity resulted in extrusion based forms from 3 - 5cm planks of timber, that ensures a CNC manufacturing process. On the other, luxurious finishes to seamless joineries were developed in partnership with French cabinetmaker, Brimbois, bringing back century old techniques. The result is a black stained wood adds a modern, minimalist elegance while allowing the grain texture to subtly remain visible.
- Design Challenge
- The chair’s complexity lies in the precision of its joints, which meticulously connect each component. To achieve a minimal yet effortless silhouette, the design drew inspiration from bone joints where structural integrity is maintained while elements naturally interlock. This concept was expressed through the intentional exposure of rounded edges at the joinery. The prototype’s fabrication involved close collaboration with the manufacturer. Each element was individually stained before assembly, ensuring a uniform, seamless black finish across all joint points.
- Project Duration
- The chair was designed in January 2024 and the first prototype was made in June 2024, both in Paris.
- Operation Flow
- The chair emphasises on the negative space, of the space that is left from the object. Through its open-back frame and three-legged structure, it embodies openness and lightness. The seat, following a subtle curve seems to float above the frame. This method enhances comfort while creating a striking silhouette imparting a sculptural quality to the object. This dynamic interplay of light and shadow adds depth to the surrounding space, elevating the chair not only as practical furniture but also as a refined architectural statement.
- Research
- The research aimed to achieve ergonomic comfort in a solid surface, offering an alternative to upholstered furniture. This led to an exploration of seat and backrest angulation, as well as a subtly curved seat plate for better anatomical support. Using VR technology, multiple prototypes were tested to refine ergonomics. In collaboration with French cabinetmakers Brimbois, locally sourced ash wood from Franche-Comte was used. A detachable 3cm upholstered plate was also developed for added versatility. Debuting at Paris Design Week 2023 at the Salon Atelier de France, the chair received valuable feedback from designers, architects, and gallery owners. This led to the addition of 5cm timber toes, which can be trimmed to adjust seat height without altering the design.
- Inspiration
- Osso draws inspiration from traditional Oriental architecture and the natural bone structures. The design embodies principles of balance, proportion, and craftsmanship, employing wood joineries that exemplify the precision of enduring architectural techniques. The back of the chair is designed as its second façade, where the horizontal structural components come together like the bones of a spine, hence, Osso. These elements combine to create a chair that is both functional and sculptural, blending tradition with nature in a clean and harmonious design.
- Image Credits
- Wongsun Yoo
- Patents
- Wongsun Yoo
Colors of Osso Chair
Get Osso Chair
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G0E23 ShopDesign Interview about Osso Chair
The Osso chair draws the eye’s attention through its striking silhouette. With its unique balance of proportion, geometry and structure, the chair is both Baroque and Minimalist. The design's overlapping forms such as the curved beams, bent seats and circular backrest layers up beautifully at the back like the bones of a spine i.e. Osso. While the joineries appear effortless, the framework is informed by architectural principles that enhance structural integrity while creating a visually dynamic rhythm reminiscent of traditional Oriental architecture. The collaboration between the young designer and experienced French cabinetmaker, Brimbois, the outcome is a hybrid of old and new.
The chair’s complexity lies in its joints. To achieve a minimal yet effortless silhouette, the design drew inspiration from bone joints where structural integrity is maintained while elements naturally interlock. This concept was expressed through the intentional exposure of rounded edges at the joinery. The prototype was developed in close collaboration with the manufacturer, with each element individually stained and assembled to achieve a seamless black finish across all joint points.
I would like to expand my design explorations with many more experiments and prototypes to come. Additionally, I would like to reach out to design brands to collaborate and optimise the design to create a commercially viable product as well.
The design took 3-6 months with precise mock-ups using VR technology to minimise waste. This process accelerated the experimental phase as I was able to visualise it on a 1:1 scale. It took an additional 3-6 months to collaborate with Brimbois, who was able to manufacture this with great attention to my intended details.
It began as a personal pursuit of inspiration. The moment came when I sat on a simple wooden stool and realized that a well-designed timber frame could offer a level of comfort comparable to upholstered furniture. That experience revealed a new possibility—timber, when thoughtfully designed, could be both structural and comfortable. This design exploration aimed to celebrate timber in all its forms, embracing its full range of properties and potential.
Currently the prototype is in a showroom in Paris, at Ateliers Brimbois, who were the manufacturers who made this piece come to a reality. The production right is open to be negotiated for sale; currently for small quantities it is open for production.
My favorite designs are the chairs by Carlo Bugatti, created between the 19th and 20th centuries. These pieces command attention with their richly detailed ornamentation and eclectic mix of materials—from leather to copper. They transcend cultural boundaries, drawing inspiration from Moorish, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese design traditions. They are, in every sense, masterpieces.
The chair functions as a versatile piece, suitable for restaurants, antechambers, clubs, and reception halls. At the same time, it embodies a sense of balance, solidity, and stoicism. Through its striking silhouette, the design conveys a quiet presence and understated strength. It is intended for those who seek to express these qualities within their space.
Osso draws inspiration from traditional Oriental architecture and natural bone structures. The design embodies principles of balance, proportion, and craftsmanship, employing wood joineries that exemplify the precision of enduring architectural techniques. The back of the chair is designed as its second façade, where the horizontal structural components come together like the bones of a spine i.e. Osso. These elements combine to create a chair that is both functional and sculptural, blending tradition with nature in a clean and harmonious design.
While the joineries appear effortless, much like bones, the framework is informed by architectural principles that enhance structural integrity while creating a visually dynamic rhythm reminiscent of traditional Oriental architecture. Rather than relying on thick, bulky materials for stability, the beams curve and interlace to form a cross-bracing structure. This allows the chair to support a concave seat that follows the contours of human anatomy, reducing pressure points compared to flat seats. The gap between the double columns at the back naturally accommodates the horizontal beams, seamlessly supporting the plates and reinforcing the design's harmony.
The production process bridges technology and craftsmanship. On one side, a strong focus on geometry and modularity resulted in extrusion based forms from 3 - 5cm planks of timber, that ensures a CNC manufacturing process. On the other, luxurious finishes to seamless joineries were developed in partnership with French cabinetmaker, Brimbois, bringing back century old techniques and know-hows. The result is a black-stained wood that adds a modern, minimalist elegance while allowing the grain texture to subtly remain visible.
The research aimed to achieve ergonomic comfort in a solid surface, offering an alternative to upholstered furniture. This led to an exploration of seat and backrest angulation, as well as a subtly curved seat plate for better anatomical support. Using VR technology, multiple prototypes were tested to refine ergonomics. In collaboration with French cabinetmakers Brimbois, locally sourced ash wood from Franche-Comté was used. A detachable 3cm upholstered plate was also developed for added versatility. Debuting at Paris Design Week 2023 at the Salon de l’Atelier de France, the chair received valuable feedback from designers, architects, and gallery owners. This led to the addition of 5cm timber “toes,” which can be trimmed to adjust seat height without altering the design.
Making this idea opened up more ideas for better furniture pieces. Some details that were lost during the design and manufacturing processes are to be incorporated in the next line of work. Much more is to come.