Beke Cathair Bàr Cidsin by John G Williams

Beke Cathair Bàr Cidsin by John G Williams is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2019 Duais Iarainn A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Àirneis Competition Category.

IarannÀirneis· 2019

Beke Cathair Bàr Cidsin

by John G Williams

Client: John G Williams Fine Furniture

Duais Iarainn A' Design Award Winner in Àirneis Category

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The Design

About Beke Cathair Bàr Cidsin

Is e Beke cathair bàr cidsin a chaidh a dhealbhadh airson a chleachdadh aig cuntair cidsin no bàr bracaiste. Tha an t-ainm Beke a' ciallachadh sìth agus a bhith ceangailte ri chèile. Tha geoimeatraidh an t-suidheachain, an cùl-chathrach agus na taice-coise air a dhealbhadh airson comhfhurtachd fad ùine mhòr cleachdaidh. Tha an suidheachan na laminate plaidhbhridh gnàthaichte le crìoch bheum-fhiodha gallchnò. Tha na casan cùil air an lùbadh le smùid ann an dà phàirt agus an uair sin air an laminadh airson seasmhachd meud fad-ùine. Tha an cùl-chathair air a thogail bho stapaichean cumte, ann an dòigh cheàrdaidh bharaille. Tha am frèam glan uinnseann air a chumadh gus coltas aotrom is sìtheil a thoirt don chathair.

The Recognition

About the Duais Iarainn A' Design Award

Tha Beke Cathair Bàr Cidsin air Duais Iarainn A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean math a choinnicheas ris na riatanasan proifeiseanta is gnìomhachais a thathar a' sùileachadh bho chruthachaidhean a chaidh an dealbhadh gu math. Tha buannaichean Iarainn a' nochdadh sgil mhòr, speisealachadh àrd, tuigse eòlaiche agus comas cruthachail an luchd-cruthachaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi Beke Cathair Bàr Cidsin na chruthachadh air a bheil mòran meas, ion-mholta agus gràdhach a tha practaigeach agus ùr-ghnàthach. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Iarainn A' Design Award a' cur nan cleachdaidhean as fheàrr sa ghnìomhachas còmhla agus tha feartan teignigeach comasach aige ceangailte ri eòlas-dèanamh agus tàlant. Tha meas air Beke Cathair Bàr Cidsin airson a dhùrachd agus chaidh a dhealbhadh gus leasachaidhean càileachd beatha a thoirt seachad a chuidicheas le bhith a' dèanamh an t-saoghail na àite nas fheàrr.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: An elegant and stable chair for use at a kitchen bar or counter, in the same range at the Beke dining chair. The chair is designed to be comfortable for extended periods of use, and the geometry of seat, backrest, and footrest have been tailored with this in mind.
The seat is a unique custom plywood laminate finished in walnut veneer to an architectural form.
The rear legs are formed in two parts: first by steam bending the graceful form, and then laminating for long term dimensional stability.
The rails are profiled in an attempt to reinforce the overall lightness and sense of peace, and to support the cantilevered seat over the front rail.
Dimensions & Packaging: Overall dimensions: 1080mm high x 470mm wide x 670mm deep
Seat dimension: 470mm wide x 440mm deep
Backrest dimensions: 540mm wide x 200 mm high
Seat angle: 3 degrees
Backrest angle: 18 degrees
Included angle: 15 degrees
Seat height: 660 mm
Backrest height: 1025mm
Weight: 7.0kg
Tags: Beke, kitchen bar chair, south africa, hardwood, curved, danish modern, minimalist, ash, walnut, gracefu
Production Technology: The chair design incorporates a number of innovative components: custom plywood seat; steam bent rear legs; coopered backrest; and shaped rails:
Custom plywood seat. The seat is formed from 5 plies, which are then finished top and bottom with a walnut veneer. The profile is a custom design that is used to build a purpose made forming press to generate finished seat forms. T nuts are encapsulated in the ply, so that the seat can be securely bolted to the frame with no interruption at all of the top surface of the seat.
Steam bent rear legs. The rear legs are steam bent in two pieces; cooled and stabilized; and then laminated to generate the final leg forms. Regular lamination was discarded on account of the excessive glue joints implied; and steam bending alone risked dimensional instability over time. This innovative combination captures the best of both techniques.
Coopered backrest. Coopering is the ancient art of constructing curved forms as used in barrel construction. The backrest staves are cut with edges 1 degree off perpendicular so that, when glued together, they pull into the curved form. Modified power tools are used to finish shape the graceful curves.
Shaped rails. The rails incorporate forms that echo local Cape Dutch architecture. These are achieved by trimming the rails to custom templates.
Design Challenge: The main aesthetic challenge in this project was to conceptualize a design that would be recognizably 'Beke' and congruent with the existing dining chair, without merely looking like an elongated version of the same.
The manufacturing challenges were numerous. Combining steam bending with laminating for the rear legs required, in the end, a very complete understanding of the dynamics of steam bending. In particular, how steam bent parts spring back over time required extensive modeling and test work to realize the desired designed end product
Research: Research focussed mainly on: the geometry of kitchen bar counter and chair; and the various manufacturing processes required to generate Beke
Inspiration: Beke means 'peace' and 'to be connected to'. This design is intended to put the user at ease, for extended comfort at the breakfast bar – to provide an ergonomic and aesthetic sense of peace. The design attempts to realize this sense of well-being, and at the same time to support a sense of connection with the space at the bar.
The design: respects the simplicity of the Danish Modern, and yet incorporates luxurious hardwood in the seat and back; integrates South African Cape Dutch architectural motifs with a sweeping architectural profile; uses a clean ash frame to showcase the richness of local and international hardwoods.
Project Duration: The project was completed over the course of approximately 4 weeks. All design and manufacturing was completed in Johannesburg.
Operation Flow: The Beke kitchen bar chair sits permanently near or at the kitchen counter. The user easily steps into the chair, using the front foot rail if preferred. The user can readily sit forward to the kitchen bar, given the small angle of inclination. The user is also comfortably supported by the inclined backrest, which remains comfortable for a number of hours. This sustains the most engaged of mealtime conversations, or possibly a shared sports match at a home bar.
Patents: UK IP Office Registered Design: 6047912
Holder: John Griffith Williams, 2018
Team Members: John G Williams
Image Credits: John G Williams