Zig Hocker by Jules S. Jaffe is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award an Eisen in Miwwelendesign Competition Category.

EisenMiwwelen· 2020

Zig Hocker

by Jules S. Jaffe

Client: Jules S. Jaffe

A' Design Award an Eisen Winner in Miwwelen Category

11,442

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #89459

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Zig Hocker

Den Design ass inspiréiert vum Wonsch déi eenzegaarteg Eegeschafte vum Holz am Kontext vun den techneschen Erausfuerderungen ze weisen, déi souwuel Schéinheet wéi och Funktionalitéit erfuerderen. Dem Jules S. Jaffe ass dëst d'Erausfuerderung vum Miwweldesign. D'Erausfuerderung hei war Stabilitéit a Kraaft ze bidden fir e Gefill vu Liichtegkeet a Spannung am finalen Design z'empfänken. De resultéierende Hocker huet exemplaresch Kraaft awer huet och e Gefill vu Liichtegkeet a Friddenheet datt d'Geometrie, daten zréck op d'Pythagoreer aus deenen den Designer

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Eisen

Zig Hocker ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Eisen, enger prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un gutt Designe vergi gëtt, déi déi professionell an industriell Ufuerderunge erfëllen, déi vu gutt gestaltene Kreatioune erwaart ginn. Eisen-Gewënner weisen déi grouss Fäegkeet, déi héich Spezialiséierung, dat Expertewëssen an d'kreativ Kapazitéit vun hire Schëpfer. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Zig Hocker eng héich geschätzt, bewonnert a beléifte Kreatioun ass, déi praktesch an innovativ ass. Dëst mam Eisen ausgezeechent Design integréiert déi beschte Praktike vun der Industrie a huet kompetent technesch Eegeschaften, déi mat Know-how an Talent verbonne sinn. Zig Hocker gëtt fir seng Grëndlechkeet respektéiert a ass gestalt, d'Liewensqualitéit ze verbesseren an ze hëllefen, d'Welt zu enger besserer Plaz ze maachen.

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.