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Memphis Opvoustoel by Nora Voon

Memphis Opvoustoel by Nora Voon is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 A' Design Award in Yster in Meubelontwerp Competition Category.


YsterMeubels· 2022

Memphis Opvoustoel

by Nora Voon

Client: Noda Designs

A' Design Award in Yster Winner in Meubels Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Colors

The Design

About Memphis Opvoustoel

Die eenvoudige dog elegante ontwerp is handgemaak in roesbestande vlekvrye staal in poeierbedekte afwerking. Geïnspireer deur 'n skuifspeld en kinderlekkers, hierdie 'n stapelbare opvoustoel wat 'n baie skoon en minimale raamontwerp het. Die idee is om 'n opvoustoel te maak wat aandag gee aan detail soos die oop koperskroewe en die groef regdeur die raam van die stoel. Die profiel is baie eenvoudig en is doelbewus ontwerp om dit amper soos 'n lyntekening te laat lyk wat die kyker dus trek om nader na die besonderhede te kyk. Die stoel kan maklik plat verpak of gestapel word vir groot versending

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Yster

Memphis Opvoustoel is 'n wenner van die A' Design Award in Yster, 'n prestigieuse erkenning wat toegeken word aan goeie ontwerpe wat voldoen aan die professionele en industriële vereistes wat van goed ontwerpte skeppings verwag word. Wenners in Yster toon groot vaardigheid, hoë spesialisasie, kundige begrip en die kreatiewe vermoë van hul skeppers. Daar word verwag dat Memphis Opvoustoel 'n hoog aangeskrewe, bewonderde en gekoesterde skepping is wat prakties en innoverend is. Hierdie ontwerp wat die A' Design Award in Yster gewen het, integreer die beste praktyke in die bedryf en het bekwame tegniese kenmerke gekoppel aan kundigheid en talent. Memphis Opvoustoel word gerespekteer vir sy deeglikheid en is ontwerp om verbeterings in lewensgehalte te bied wat help om die wêreld 'n beter plek te maak.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
This is a stackable folding chair that has a very clean and minimal frame design. The idea is to make a folding chair that has attention to details like the exposed brass screws and the groove throughout the frame of the chair. The profile is very simple and was designed intentionally to make it look almost like a line drawing therefore draws the viewer to look closer at the details. Memphis can be easily flat packed or stacked for large shipment orders and easy for storage as you can hang them on the wall when not using to save space.
Dimensions & Packaging
W410 x D400 x H815 mm
Tags
folding chair, chair, patio chair, bistro chair, cafe chair, powder coated
Production Technology
Memphis chair is made using stainless steel and has rust proof powder coating. The frame is very simple with a groove in the middle and anchored together using the brass screws and fittings. Collapsible into a flat surface so that it is easy for shipping. For storage, it can be stored laid flat and stacked or it can be hung on a wall to save space. The reason for not having a back rest because I wanted to have a design that is very minimal as folding chairs should be and wanted the form to take centre stage with the idea that it can look almost transparent in a way. The missing back rest does not effect the comfort of the chair.
Design Challenge
The hardest part of this creative challenge is making sure that the frame is strong enough to support the chair - that is why stainless steel came to mind which is a solid and strong material to work with and if painted correctly with powder coating, it can minimize on corrosion. Using stainless steel means the cost is higher but still doable for a mid range product. We showed it on social media and the response was great with lots of enquiries on this product and also a manufacturer in New York wanted to produce them.
Research
When we were working on a commercial project recently and we realized there aren't any good looking fun folding chairs that are good for commercial use such as cafes, bistros, or even public spaces. I embarked on finding a solution for this but also wanted to make sure it can be easily shipped in a flat pack format. We spoke to a few manufacturers and because of the groove we wanted to make sure the corrosion is at a minimal since we wanted this to be a contract furniture which is why the frame is rounded so that accumulation of water is not possible. I used colours that are bright ad cheerful because most folding chairs are either white or silver/chrome finish, I wanted the chair to be fun and exciting which can brighten any interior or exterior.
Inspiration
The Memphis chair is an updated modern take on the folding chair. The simple yet elegant design is handcrafted in rustproof stainless steel in powder coated finish. Inspired from a paperclip and childhood candies, I wanted to create a folding chair that is minimal but yet substantial with attention to detail like the grooves around the chair frame. Anchored together with exposed brass fittings and screws for that extra special touch. The chair is stackable, therefore making it easy for storage (hung) and comes in 5 colours and can easily be shipped in a flat pack.
Project Duration
I started this project out of necessity on January 11th 2022 and did some research on materials, forms and fittings throughout for 2 weeks. The design concept was done in Toronto, Canada but manufacturing will be done in Indonesia.
Operation Flow
The operation is simple, folded chair can be operated using one simple movement by unfolding the chair. The ease of this chair and the simplicity of it makes it a timeless piece, and the fact that one can hang it on a wall to reduce storage space is ideal for small apartments or homes.
Team Members
Nora Voon
Image Credits
Images #1 to #5: render by Katie Zhang
video credit: Katie Zhang

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