Forma Sella by Jaewoo Choi is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Praemium A' Design Award Ferreum in Designatio Supellectilis Competition Category.
FerrumSupellex· 2025
Forma Sella
by Jaewoo Choi
Client: Jae Choi
Praemium A' Design Award Ferreum Winner in Supellex Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #169940The Design
About Forma Sella
Forma est sella ex corio vegetabiliter confecto, MDF et ferro formata. Forma silhouettam sellae equestris denuo interpretatur. Corium per madefactam formationem effingitur, una ex antiquissimis artibus corii tractandi, quae formas structas ac diuturnas creat. Madefacta formatio transitus lenes inter partes molles et rigidas permittit, ita ut sella et commoditatem et sustentationem praebeat. Forma 560 mm latitudine, 605 mm altitudine posteriore et 670 mm altitudine metitur. Consilium artem traditam sellariam ad supellectilem hodiernam accommodat.
The Recognition
About the Praemium A' Design Award Ferreum
Forma Sella victor est Praemii A' Design Award Ferreum, honoris amplissimi formis bonis dati, quae postulatis professionalibus et industrialibus ab creationibus bene formatis exspectatis satisfaciunt. Victores Ferrei magnam peritiam, altam specializationem, intellectum periti et facultatem creandi auctorum suorum ostendunt. Exspectatur Forma Sella creationem multum aestimatam, admiratam et carissimam, practicam et novam fore. Haec forma Ferreo victa optimas industriae consuetudines integrat et proprietates technicas idoneas, cum scientia et talento coniunctas, habet. Forma Sella ob diligentiam suam honoratur et ad vitae qualitatem emendandam formatum est, ut mundum meliorem reddere iuvet.
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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