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Zig Kruk by Jules S. Jaffe

Zig Kruk by Jules S. Jaffe is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award yn Izer in Meubelûntwerp Competition Category.


IzerMeubels· 2020

Zig Kruk

by Jules S. Jaffe

Client: Jules S. Jaffe

A' Design Award yn Izer Winner in Meubels Category

11,442

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #89459

Colors

The Design

About Zig Kruk

It ûntwerp is ynspireare troch de winsk om de unike eigenskippen fan hout te sjen yn 'e kontekst fan' e technyske útdagings dy't sawol skientme as funksjonaliteit fereaskje. Foar Jules S. Jaffe is dit de útdaging fan meubelûntwerp. De útdaging hjir wie om stabiliteit en krêft te leverjen om in gefoel fan ljochtheid en spanning op te nimmen yn it definitive ûntwerp. De resultearjende kruk hat eksemplaryske krêft, mar hat ek in gefoel fan lichtens en frede dat de mjitkunde, datearret út de Pythagoreërs fan wa't de ûntwerper

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Izer

Zig Kruk is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Izer, in prestisjeuze erkenning foar goede ûntwerpen dy't foldogge oan de profesjonele en yndustriële easken dy't ferwachte wurde fan goed ûntwurpen skeppings. Izerwinners litte grutte feardigens, hege spesjalisaasje, deskundich begryp en kreatyf fermogen fan har makkers sjen. Fan Zig Kruk wurdt ferwachte dat it in tige heech achte, bewûndere en dierbere skepping is dy't praktysk en ynnovatyf is. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Izer yntegrearret de bêste praktiken fan de sektor en hat feardige technyske skaaimerken ferbûn mei kennis en talint. Zig Kruk wurdt respektearre foar syn yngeandens en is ûntwurpen om ferbetteringen fan de kwaliteit fan it libben te leverjen dy't helpe de wrâld ta in bettere plak te meitsjen.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties
The stool employs a unique triple mitered joint that did not exist before. The challenge here was to provide enough stability and strength to accommodate a feeling of lightness and tension in the final design.
Dimensions & Packaging
505 x 185 x 180
Tags
stool, chair, sitting device
Production Technology
The design was realized in maple because it has the requisite capability to be accurately cut without worrying about splintering. This is actually version 4.2 that took place over 2 years with a variety of materials (oak) and a variety of machining techniques. Ultimately, a set of table saw fixtures that were precisely measured and inclined were used to have the surface meet with extremely high accuracy. The challenge with any cantilever is strength and stability. Hence the large mating surfaces. There are no screws or any other metal parts used in construction. Only wood. Purity of materials was a prime consideration.
Design Challenge
The continuous challenge of creating functional items that are also aesthetically pleasing is a constant challenge. Research in form, function and the engineering needed to accomplish the mutual goals of fulfilling those aspirations is a constant pursuit. Ancient concepts related to the golden triangle and its harmony with human perception is related to the construction of this stool as it incorporates a triangular structure that also needs to be extremely stable. The final realization was an exercise in precise and multi-dimensional angles.
Research
As with all projects the tension between good design and stability and strength in construction is paramount. In this case, many of the preliminary designs, when constructed cracked under the weight of the sitter. In addition, since the surface between the base and the supporting rod and the supporting rod and the seat are not orthogonal, it took a great deal of geometric reasoning to make those top and bottom surfaces parallel, as in any design close to this.
Inspiration
Overall the stool is an homage to Gerrit Rietveld. However it incorporates a Zen-like feeling of peacefulness and rest but with the tension of a cantilever. Hence, it uses contrasting elements to achieve its unique design. The stool inspires sitting upright in a meditative position and is also excellent for artists such as guitarists and cellists to use as it has no protruding parts and the base retracts from the seat edge. It is very stable but allows freedom of movement.
Project Duration
The project took 2 years to execute in a workshop in La Jolla, CA, USA.
Operation Flow
Simply sit on it.
Patents
None
Team Members
Jules S. Jaffe (only)
Image Credits
Image # 1: Jules S. Jaffe, 2019.
Optional image #2 Jules S. Jaffe, 2019.

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