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Press Release

Exocet Multifunctional Chair

A' Design Award 2015 Gold Winner in Furniture Design

28 March 2015

Exocet Multifunctional Chair by Stéphane Leathead
Exocet Multifunctional Chair by Stéphane Leathead
Exocet Multifunctional Chair by Stéphane Leathead
Exocet Multifunctional Chair by Stéphane Leathead
Exocet Multifunctional Chair by Stéphane Leathead

Stéphane Leathead · CLIENT: Exocet

Exocet is a multifunctional chair made of Baltic birch and aluminium. The chair is built from a series of identical curved slats assembled around a central cylinder. The use of one basic slat shape supports an efficient fabrication process. Exocet can be set in several configurations, including a standard chair, a rocking long chair and a folded form. To change the shape, the user releases the pressure with the handle, moves the sections around the cylinder and tightens the handle again. The result is a chair with many positions and very few parts.

Press Kit

Unique Properties
EXOCET is a new concept chair. Its unique & clever design allows to transform it in order to get the desired shape. The EXOCET is crafted from a single main piece, a slat. A series of identical slats assembly is simply rotated on a cylinder.
Dimensions & Packaging
Standard chair configuration:
Width: 660 mm, Length: 1524 mm, Height: 1220 mm.
Rocking long chair configuration
Width: 660 mm, Lenght: 2185 mm, Height: 610 mm.
Folded chair configuration
Width: 660 mm, Lenght: 1524 mm, height: 460 mm.
Weight: 68 kg
Tags
design, innovation, elegance, style, amazing, less is more, beautiful, clever, rocking long chair, multifunctional
Production Technology
Baltic Birch & Aluminium
Design Challenge
Finding solution to limit friction as much as possible. To select the proper material to produce the cylinder and handles to avoid deterioration.
Project Duration
The project started in July 2014. The first hand made prototype was created in August 2014. The first public exhibition took place in Toronto at the Interior Design Show in January 22 to 25, 2015.
Operation Flow
You can transform it by releasing the pressure with the handle. You move the section around the cylinder to create the desired configuration and you tighten the handle.
Research
The slat shape was the key element. It was imperative to design the slat so that it would maximize comfort through the various possible positions.
Inspiration
It started with a simple questioning. Can we create a long chair offering more than 3 back positions? And can it rock as well? And can it be made of very few pieces? Could a chair be designed using smooth curves instead hard straight lines? And most importantly, can it be simple yet innovative & elegant? I started designing with one obsession using only one basic shape allowing a very efficient fabrication process.
Image Credits
Image #1: Photographer Stéphane Leathead, Exocet, 2014.
Image #2: Photographer Stéphane Leathead, Exocet, 2014.
Image #3: Photographer Stéphane Leathead, Exocet, 2014.
Image #4: Photographer Stéphane Leathead, Exocet, 2014.
Image #5: Photographer Stéphane Leathead, Exocet, 2014.

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