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Little Thunder Sella bracchiata by Grasset Francois

Little Thunder Sella bracchiata by Grasset Francois is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum in Designatio Supellectilis Competition Category.


ArgentumSupellex· 2020

Little Thunder Sella bracchiata

by Grasset Francois

Client: Briant Sellerie

Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum Winner in Supellex Category

28,440

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #93114

Colors

The Design

About Little Thunder Sella bracchiata

Little Thunder est sella bracchiata pro domibus et locis operis designata. Structura in fornice fundatur, forma semicylindrica in architectura ex antiquitate adhibita. Fornix sellae bracchiatae firmitatem tribuit dum materiis parce utitur. Sedile et dorsale formae curvatae fundamentali adduntur. Sella bracchiata ex tabulis ligneis multistratis in magnis formis conformatis facta est. Superficies pluribus coloribus laccari vel lamina iuglandina obtegi potest. Sella bracchiata 800 mm latitudine, 630 mm altitudine, et 730 mm altitudine metitur.

The Recognition

About the Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum

Little Thunder Sella bracchiata victor est Praemii A' Design Award Argenteum, honoris eximie amplissimi formis summi generis, pulchris et conspicuis dati. Victores Argenti opera valde splendida et creandi ingenio praedita sunt, quae praestantem peritiam, talentum et acumen auctorum suorum ostendunt. Exspectatur Little Thunder Sella bracchiata opus mirabile, exemplare, valde professionale et penitus novum fore. Haec forma Argento victa inventum notabile et admiratum est, quod ad fines artis, scientiae, formandi rationis et technologiae promovendos confert. Little Thunder Sella bracchiata creatio est, quam multi invident, quae cupiditates excitat, sensus bonos affert et admirationem miraculumque movet.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties
This armchair employs a vault shape, which is one of the most robust structure possible with these materials. It also is highly decorative – examples of this architecture can be found going back to antiquity. Little Thunder’s timeless design means it will be a prized piece for years, isn't it the hallmark of a truly environmentally and social responsible design ?
Dimensions & Packaging
Width : 800 mm, depth : 630 mm, Height : 730 mm.
Tags
Armchair, arch, vault, wood, Little Thunder.
Production Technology
After making the foundational decision to adopt an vault structure, the design process progressed rather quickly. The fine-tuning process was meticulous, as we had to account for ergonomic factors. The manufacturing process requires specific skills, including multi-layer wood panels using large moulds. The suggested model is lacquered (with several colour options) or uses walnut wood veneer.
Design Challenge
The challenge was to design a furniture item, visually powerful enough to represent the diversification strategy of the company. It had to be manufactured in small series, ideally by one or several craftsmen.
Research
This armchair was developed for business and home uses. It will fit perfectly in an office or waiting room setting as well as in a living room or home office.
Inspiration
The Little Thunder armchair was born of our desire to create a very geometrically stable seat while using materials rigorously. The idea of a half-cylinder soon became obvious because its structure is so effective. Simply adding a seat and backrest to the basic shape can bring the same strong sensations as a summer thunderstorm.
Project Duration
We first began designing this armchair about a year and a half ago (in early 2018). After a number of sketches and 3D-printed scale models, we adjusted the shape to best suit ergonomic seating positions.
The study and production of the laminated timber armchair were done in Chambéry (Savoy), France.
Operation Flow
This armchair is designed to create a visual impact on its environment. Its shapes and geometric curves give it a highly graphical and surprising character. The lines crisscross but never clash, after numerous attempts to find a clean, comfortable result. Several finishes are offered to best match your desired indoor decoration.
Finally, further studies have yielded versions with wider armrests and strengthened, decorative bases.

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