Stagione Kurisi Mabbali Rupa

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Recipient of Porada International Design Award, the Seasons Chair captures the reminiscence of time passing in its sculptural shape. Suggestive of leaf formations, the fabric cushioning supplements chair’s main framing through overlapping layers providing elastic support. Surrounding the user and extending as soft arms, nature becomes design tool responding to human body.

Dimensions & Packaging

With the embracing aspect of its conformation, design is strongly allusive of plant growth, expressing the spirit of the wood it is curved from. Furniture's framework construction incorporates organic curving, instilling it with a certain sculptural quality that surrounds human figure and is made of solid canaletta walnut wood. Chair dimensions are 92 x 60 x 54 cm.

Tags

wood, sustainable, recycling, transformative, flexible, environment, seasons

Production Technology

The upholstery is attached on the frame with the use of magnets, allowing the shape to be modified and personalised reflecting passing of time registered in natural elements. Removable padding is made of textured hemp, an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to cotton which is 100% plant derived, extremely durable and inherently flame retardant, initiating the tactile interaction with the user.

Design Challenge

Having as primary concern the emotional connection between the object and its user, the aim in designing is to establish a creative dialogue among humanmade and natural. Maintaining a sense of the organic while altering its appearance, design is giving birth to stylized and distinguishing features. Transforming into design object, the creative challenge materializes a piece of utilitarian purpose finding the balance along its dimensions and functionality.

Research

Conveying the material attributes by emphasising qualities of wooden manufacture, a sense of the organic is expressed in composition as fluid forms establish a visual rhythm through the graphic lines of the silhouette. Framework is made of solid canaletta walnut wood. Having in mind always the use of low environmental impact solutions, wood is coated with low VOC finishes and Bio Shield natural oil finishes, in order to reveal the textural qualities of wood construction.

Inspiration

Employing design as a way of storytelling by introducing natural constituents into manufactured forms, Stagione armchair captures the essence of change developing on the emotional connection between object and user. Drawing from childhood memories, playing and relaxing surrounded by landscape, formation replicates the feeling of comfort by sinking in leaf pile.

Project Duration

The project was completed in 2023.

Operation Flow

Forging a deeper link with scenery and visualising changing of seasons, successive layers replicate color palette of leaves that obtain various shades, echoing their different tones as cycles of change embrace the person. Like the tree shedding its leaves, armchair can alter appearance by removing its upholstery configuration, similar to plants separating from their foliage. This reveals the wood structure evocative of tree branches, bringing nature to interior space.

Image Credits

Studio Niko Kapa