Forma Tuoli by Jaewoo Choi is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Rautapalkinto A' Design Award in Huonekalumuotoilu Competition Category.

RautaHuonekalut· 2025

Forma Tuoli

by Jaewoo Choi

Client: Jae Choi

Rautapalkinto A' Design Award Winner in Huonekalut Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #169940

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Forma Tuoli

Forma on kasvisparkitusta nahasta, MDF-levystä ja teräksestä muotoiltu tuoli. Muoto tulkitsee uudelleen hevosen satulan siluetin. Nahka on muotoiltu märkämuovauksella, joka on yksi vanhimmista nahkatyöstötekniikoista ja jolla saavutetaan jäsenneltyjä ja kestäviä muotoja. Märkämuovaus mahdollistaa pehmeiden ja jäykkien alueiden välillä sulavat siirtymät, joten tuoli tarjoaa sekä mukavuutta että tukea. Forman mitat ovat 560 mm leveyttä, 605 mm syvyyttä ja 670 mm korkeutta. Suunnittelu sovittaa perinteisen satulasepän käsityötaidon nykyaikaiseen huonekaluun.

The Recognition

About the Rautapalkinto A' Design Award

Forma Tuoli on Rautapalkinnon A' Design Award -voittaja, arvostettu tunnustus, joka myönnetään hyville designeille, jotka täyttävät hyvin suunnitelluilta luomuksilta odotetut ammatilliset ja teollisuuden vaatimukset. Rautavoittajat osoittavat tekijöidensä suurta taitoa, korkeaa erikoistumista, asiantuntevaa ymmärrystä ja luovaa kapasiteettia. Forma Tuoli:n odotetaan olevan korkeassa arvossa pidetty, ihailtu ja rakastettu luomus, joka on käytännöllinen ja innovatiivinen. Tämä Rautapalkinnon A' Design Award -voittajadesign yhdistää alan parhaita käytäntöjä, ja sillä on pätevät tekniset ominaisuudet, jotka yhdistyvät osaamiseen ja lahjakkuuteen. Forma Tuoli:a arvostetaan sen perusteellisuudesta, ja se on suunniteltu tarjoamaan elämänlaadun parannuksia, jotka auttavat tekemään maailmasta paremman paikan.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Forma reinterprets the timeless silhouette of a horse’s saddle through the technique of wet molding to shape leather into intricate, structured forms. This method enhances durability and sculptural precision, allowing for seamless transitions between softness and rigidity. By pushing the boundaries of leather manipulation, Forma highlights materiality, refinement, and fluidity, redefining traditional craftsmanship in modern fabrication while achieving both structural integrity and sculptural rhythm.
Dimensions & Packaging: Materials: Vegetable Tanned Leather / MDF / Steel
Dimensions: Width 560 mm x Depth 605 mm x Height 670mm
Tags: Leatherworking, Wet Molding, Material Exploration, Chair, Experimental Furniture Design
Production Technology: Since early civilization, leather has been valued for its versatility, offering both comfort and protection. Wet molding, one of the oldest leatherworking techniques, remains a vital method for shaping leather into structured, durable forms. Forma employs this technique to fuse soft and rigid elements with fluidity, achieving structural refinement. By leveraging this process, the design not only preserves traditional craftsmanship but also explores new possibilities in material adaptation and contemporary fabrication techniques.
Design Challenge: Wet molding is a centuries-old technique, yet its potential within contemporary design remains largely underexplored. This project challenges conventional applications by experimenting with new shaping methods, testing leather’s adaptability, and refining its structural possibilities. Through material-driven research, it seeks to expand the boundaries of craftsmanship, integrating traditional leatherworking techniques with adaptive design solutions.
Research: This project investigates the potential of wet molding through hands-on experimentation, analyzing the material’s flexibility and structural limitations. By studying how leather responds to manipulation, the research informs the development of innovative forms and explores new possibilities in furniture applications. Pushing the boundaries of this traditional craft, the study bridges material experimentation with material-driven design, redefining leather’s role in modern fabrication.
Inspiration: Forma is rooted in a deep appreciation for the transformation of raw materials through time-honored craftsmanship. Inspired by the evolution of saddlery, the project reinterprets traditional processes for new creative applications by examining how wet molding—a technique integral to equestrian gear—can be adapted for contemporary design. The interplay of structure and fluidity found in saddlery serves as the foundation for a piece that honors heritage craftsmanship while embracing design refinement.
Project Duration: The project started in January 2023 in Providence, Rhode Island, and was completed in May 2023.
Operation Flow: Designed to offer both function and sculptural presence, Forma’s structured yet fluid form allows it to serve as a seat while also acting as a statement piece. The careful balance of soft and rigid elements provides both comfort and support, making it a versatile addition to various interior spaces.
Image Credits: Image #1: Creator Jaewoo(Jae) Choi, Forma, 2023.
Image #2: Creator Jaewoo(Jae) Choi, Forma, 2023.
Image #3: Creator Jaewoo(Jae) Choi, Forma, 2023.
Image #4: Creator Jaewoo(Jae) Choi, Forma, 2023.