Little Thunder Poltrona by Grasset Francois

Little Thunder Poltrona by Grasset Francois is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award de Prata in Design de Mobiliário Competition Category.

PrataMobiliário· 2020

Little Thunder Poltrona

by Grasset Francois

Client: Briant Sellerie

A' Design Award de Prata Winner in Mobiliário Category

28,440

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #93114

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Little Thunder Poltrona

Little Thunder é uma poltrona concebida para residências e locais de trabalho. A estrutura baseia-se numa abóbada, uma forma de meio cilindro utilizada na arquitetura desde a antiguidade. A abóbada confere resistência à poltrona, ao mesmo tempo que economiza materiais. Um assento e um encosto são acrescentados à forma curva básica. A poltrona é feita de painéis de madeira multilaminada moldados em grandes moldes. A superfície pode ser lacada em várias cores ou revestida com folha de nogueira. A poltrona mede 800 mm de largura, 630 mm de profundidade e 730 mm de altura.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Prata

Little Thunder Poltrona conquistou o A' Design Award de Prata, um reconhecimento extraordinariamente prestigiado atribuído a designs de topo de gama, deslumbrantes e impressionantes. Os vencedores da Prata são obras tremendamente brilhantes e extremamente criativas que ilustram a perícia, o talento e a acuidade excecionais dos seus designers. Espera-se que Little Thunder Poltrona seja uma obra maravilhosa e de referência, notavelmente profissional e profundamente inovadora. Este design vencedor do A' Design Award de Prata é uma invenção muito notável e admirada, que beneficia e faz avançar as fronteiras da arte, da ciência, do design e da tecnologia. Little Thunder Poltrona é uma criação imensamente invejada que desperta desejos, traz sentimentos positivos e faz nascer espanto e deslumbramento.

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.