Little Thunder Sessel by Grasset Francois

Little Thunder Sessel by Grasset Francois is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award in Silber in Möbeldesign Competition Category.

SilberMöbel· 2020

Little Thunder Sessel

by Grasset Francois

Client: Briant Sellerie

A' Design Award in Silber Winner in Möbel Category

28,440

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #93114

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Little Thunder Sessel

Little Thunder ist ein Sessel, der für Wohnräume und Arbeitsumgebungen konzipiert wurde. Die Struktur basiert auf einem Gewölbe – einer halbzylindrischen Form, die in der Architektur bereits seit der Antike verwendet wird. Das Gewölbe verleiht dem Sessel Festigkeit bei zugleich sparsamem Materialeinsatz. Der grundlegenden gebogenen Form werden eine Sitzfläche und eine Rückenlehne hinzugefügt. Der Sessel besteht aus mehrschichtigen Holzplatten, die in großen Formen geformt werden. Die Oberfläche kann in mehreren Farben lackiert oder mit Nussbaumfurnier belegt werden. Der Sessel misst 800 mm in der Breite, 630 mm in der Tiefe und 730 mm in der Höhe.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Silber

Little Thunder Sessel ist Gewinner des A' Design Award in Silber, einer enorm prestigeträchtigen Anerkennung für erstklassige, großartige und beeindruckende Spitzendesigns. Silber-Gewinner sind ungemein brillante und äußerst kreative Werke, die die herausragende Expertise, das Talent und den Scharfsinn ihrer Designer veranschaulichen. Von Little Thunder Sessel wird erwartet, dass es ein wunderbares Vorzeigewerk ist, das bemerkenswert professionell und zutiefst innovativ ist. Dieses mit dem A' Design Award in Silber prämierte Design ist eine höchst bemerkenswerte, bewunderte Erfindung, die den Grenzen von Kunst, Wissenschaft, Design und Technologie zugutekommt und sie voranbringt. Little Thunder Sessel ist eine vielbeneidete Schöpfung, die Wünsche weckt, positive Gefühle vermittelt und Staunen und Verwunderung entfacht.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This armchair employs a vault shape, which is one of the most robust structure possible with these materials. It also is highly decorative – examples of this architecture can be found going back to antiquity. Little Thunder’s timeless design means it will be a prized piece for years, isn't it the hallmark of a truly environmentally and social responsible design ?
Dimensions & Packaging: Width : 800 mm, depth : 630 mm, Height : 730 mm.
Tags: Armchair, arch, vault, wood, Little Thunder.
Production Technology: After making the foundational decision to adopt an vault structure, the design process progressed rather quickly. The fine-tuning process was meticulous, as we had to account for ergonomic factors. The manufacturing process requires specific skills, including multi-layer wood panels using large moulds. The suggested model is lacquered (with several colour options) or uses walnut wood veneer.
Design Challenge: The challenge was to design a furniture item, visually powerful enough to represent the diversification strategy of the company. It had to be manufactured in small series, ideally by one or several craftsmen.
Research: This armchair was developed for business and home uses. It will fit perfectly in an office or waiting room setting as well as in a living room or home office.
Inspiration: The Little Thunder armchair was born of our desire to create a very geometrically stable seat while using materials rigorously. The idea of a half-cylinder soon became obvious because its structure is so effective. Simply adding a seat and backrest to the basic shape can bring the same strong sensations as a summer thunderstorm.
Project Duration: We first began designing this armchair about a year and a half ago (in early 2018). After a number of sketches and 3D-printed scale models, we adjusted the shape to best suit ergonomic seating positions.
The study and production of the laminated timber armchair were done in Chambéry (Savoy), France.
Operation Flow: This armchair is designed to create a visual impact on its environment. Its shapes and geometric curves give it a highly graphical and surprising character. The lines crisscross but never clash, after numerous attempts to find a clean, comfortable result. Several finishes are offered to best match your desired indoor decoration.
Finally, further studies have yielded versions with wider armrests and strengthened, decorative bases.