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DesignNewswire · COMO, Italy ·

Gerardo Ríos Receives the A' Design Award for Cosmic Sofa in Furniture Design

The international grand jury of the 2015 - 2016 A' Design Award & Competition recognizes Gerardo Ríos for furniture design

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMO, Italy, April 22, 2016 /DesignNewswire/ A' Design Award & Competition has confirmed the A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category for Cosmic Sofa by Gerardo Ríos, designed for G. Rios Furniture & Design. The recognition forms part of the 2015 - 2016 A' Design Award & Competition and was determined through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who evaluated anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.

About the A' Design Award

The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.

About Cosmic Sofa

Cosmic is a sofa designed for living areas. The sofa is offered in three sizes, from a loveseat of 1950 mm width to a four seat version of 2980 mm width, all 1040 mm deep and 820 mm high. The structure is built entirely in solid poplar wood and assembled with doweled butt joints, and every part has a complex angle cut. The cushioning combines soft and firm high density foam for comfort and durability. The seat, arms and back are tilted to support relaxed postures. The lines were inspired by the Maserati Type 61 Birdcage from 1959.

About Gerardo Ríos

Gerardo Ríos's artistry and craftsmanship is a symbiotic reflection of what he believes in and often finds inspiration on “the daring romance and adventures that we find in people, history and our natural environment”. Ríos’ artistic spirit is inherited from a lineage of artists dating back to his great-great grandfather, the world-renowned painter José MarÍa Velasco. Each piece of furniture, whether it is a chair, a divan, or a chaise lounge, should create a sense of harmony and provoke a sensual response with the person who experiences it. For Gerardo Ríos, It is the need to communicate and the possibility of astonishment that defines the word “Design”.

Award Record

Gerardo Ríos is a winner of 5 A' Design Awards, including this recognition. The awards were granted between the 2014 - 2015 and the 2015 - 2016 editions of the A' Design Award & Competition.

About the A' Furniture Design Award

The A' Furniture Design Award is an international furniture competition recognizing good furniture designs by best furniture designers worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to furniture designers, product designers, industrial design studios and furniture brands from all countries. Typical entries include chairs, tables, sofas, beds, cabinets and shelves. The awarded furniture designs are published at https://designers.org/design-category/furniture

About A' Design Award & Competition

Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com

Press Resources

Media Contact

Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953

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Fact Sheet

The Work

Project
Cosmic Sofa
Function
Sofa
Category
Furniture Design
Discipline
Industrial Design
Industry
Furniture & Home
Colors
Dark Slate Gray, Gray, Dark Olive Green and Dim Gray
Images
5
Client
G. Rios Furniture & Design

The Recognition

Laureate
Gerardo Ríos
Country
Mexico
Recognition
A' Design Award
Edition
2015 - 2016
Design ID
#41997

Credits

Image Credits
Ricardo López

Design Details

Unique Properties
The presence of this piece dominates any room due to its shape and size, at the same time it is immensely comfortable and ergonomic. It mixes modern style with retro 60’s figures, creating a balance that allows this piece to be futuristic and luxury.
Inspiration
The sophisticated lines were inspired on the Maserati Type 61 Birdcage from 1959. The soft lines and dynamic curves intend to communicate the sheer daring and idealistic modernism of the 60's.
Research
Several years of studies about human behavior, posture and visual sensations led to the creation of these whimsical, organic and futuristic forms. Several prototypes were necessary to combine structural strength with the best possible use of the wood, and to make the piece lighter and more efficient in the use of materials and construction system.
Challenge
The design of the structure was the major challenge in this project since all the pieces are made with different angle, but are all fit together perfectly. This design and prototyping took several weeks to complete.
Realization and Technology
Built entirely in solid poplar wood and assembled with doweled butt joints. All parts have complex angle cuts because there is no single piece of full square cut on the entire structure. It has a building system that with adequate equipment becomes easy to mass-produce, providing excellent resistance. The cushioning system is a combination of soft and firm high density foam, providing a pleasant feeling and good durability.
Operation and Interaction
For a relaxed position to read, talk or relax, it has tilt at the seat, elbows and back. The softness of the fabric selected along with a mix of densities and softness of foam provides both strength and comfort seating.
Project Duration and Location
The project took 12 weeks in its development, from the first sketch to the final prototype. Developed at our furniture research and prototypes facilities Mérida, Yucatán, México.
Specifications
Cuadruple Size: 2980 mm W x 1040mm D x 820mm H Triple Size: 2450 mm W x 1040 mm D x 820mm H Loveseat: 1950 mm W x 1040 mm D x 820 mm H
Keywords
Sofa, cosmic, futuristic, luxury, seat, furniture, design, modern style

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