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Forma Fonksyon Prensipal: Chèz by Jaewoo Choi

Forma Fonksyon Prensipal: Chèz by Jaewoo Choi is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Fè in Dezayn Mèb Competition Category.


FèMèb· 2025

Forma Fonksyon Prensipal: Chèz

by Jaewoo Choi

Client: Jae Choi

A' Design Award Fè Winner in Mèb Category

Colors

The Design

About Forma Fonksyon Prensipal: Chèz

Tèks Liv: Forma se yon chèz ki fòme ak kwi tane ak plant, MDF ak asye. Fòm lan reentèprete siluèt yon sèl chwal. Kwi a fòme atravè moulaj mouye, youn nan teknik travay kwi ki pi ansyen yo, ki kreye fòm estriktire ak dirab. Moulaj mouye a pèmèt tranzisyon fen ant zòn mou ak zòn rijid, konsa chèz la ofri konfò ansanm ak sipò. Forma mezire 560 mm nan lajè, 605 mm nan pwofondè ak 670 mm nan wotè. Design sa a adapte yon metye trandisyonèl selye pou mèb kontanporen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Fè

Forma Fonksyon Prensipal: Chèz se yon ganyan A' Design Award Fè, yon rekonesans ki gen prestij yo bay bon design ki satisfè egzijans pwofesyonèl ak endistriyèl yo atann de kreyasyon ki byen fèt. Ganyan Fè yo montre gwo konpetans, espesyalizasyon wo, konpreyansyon ekspè ak kapasite kreyatif kreyatè yo. Yo atann Forma Fonksyon Prensipal: Chèz pou se yon kreyasyon anpil moun estime, admire e renmen ki pratik e inovatè. Design sa a ki ganyen A' Design Award Fè entegre pi bon pratik sektè a e li gen karakteristik teknik konpetan ki lye ak konnesans pratik ak talan. Yo respekte Forma Fonksyon Prensipal: Chèz pou jèntan li e li fèt pou bay amelyorasyon kalite lavi ki ede fè mond lan vin yon pi bon kote.

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.

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