Iron Furniture Design · 2022
Mode Armchair
- A' Design Award 2022 Iron Winner in Furniture Design
- Awarded April 15, 2022
- CLIENT: Idea Interior Design Office
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 9,447
- Verification code C9173A8FAA · Verify this award
About Mode Armchair
Mode is an armchair with a simple, contemporary form and a classical feel that coexists. It consists of a long leg frame and a rounded shell panel. The leg frame has two different finishes, scratch and mirror, and the wood grain shell panel has a special finish that changes its color and texture depending on the angle. The wood grain shell panel has a sharp double-sided design, with the material switched between inside and outside. Mode is a comfortable armchair with a thin shell panel, so the seat is spacious even though the outer width is only 52cm, making it the most compact form ever.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The long frame extending up to the arms lightly supports the compact shell and gives the shell a sense of floating. The sharp material shift between the hard wood panels on the outside of the shell and the soft fabric on the inside gives the chair a contemporary look, while at the same time creating a design with two different faces on the front and sides.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 520mm Height 720mm Depth 500mm Weight 11kg
Fabric upholstery on hard urethane, outer wood grain pattern aluminum panel, stainless steel legs - Tags
- arm chair, compact chair, chair, dining Chairs, restaurant Chairs
- Production Technology
- The chair weighs only 11 kg and is 52 cm wide, making it very compact for an arms shell chair. The 2mm-thick aluminum shell is a new material made of 6H-hard wood grain wave-polished aluminum. The special polishing changes the color and depth depending on the angle and the way the light hits it. This special lightweight aluminum panel allows the user to bend the corners, which is difficult to do with ordinary wood, to create a beautiful shell shape that is lightweight, compact, and strong enough. The shape of the shell is created using state-of-the-art laser cutting and bending technology, while the inner cushion seat is made by the delicate handiwork of chair craftsmen. The fusion of state-of-the-art machine technology and the high level of craftsmanship in handwork has resulted in a compact, high-quality armchair.
- Design Challenge
- In addition to design and safety, functional requirements are also becoming more sophisticated.
Even for chairs, there is the pursuit of a design that is more in tune with the times while combining new materials and technologies, and making new proposals is always a difficult part of the process. - Project Duration
- The idea for the base was born in 2000 and redesigned in 2020.
A prototype was created in 2021. - Operation Flow
- It is easy to pull the chair with fingers on the frame or to stand up with hands on the arms. The examined construction of the frame enhances the functionality of the chair as an easy chair to relax, sit and stand up. The frame's antiqued hair finish is scratch resistant, and the mirrored finish and surface transition also make the frame appear longer and slimmer. The shell panel and inner cushions are removable and can be freely combined.
- Research
- Working as an interior designer in Tokyo, Japan, the challenge is to create a space that is usable, luxurious, and efficient. Taking into account the space efficiency of urban areas, creating chairs that are compact, yet comfortable and luxurious solves many of the challenges, especially when designing restaurants.
- Inspiration
- This armchair is small, but comfortable and beautiful.
We aimed to achieve both a simple and beautiful form that fits in any space and high functionality as a chair. The design also expresses both by adding classic elements in a simple and contemporary form.
Colors of Mode Armchair
Grand Interview about Mode Armchair
This design was created using lines that have been simplified to the absolute minimum—sensual lines that would be impossible to achieve through mass-production perspectives and manufacturing methods.The result is a piece that is modern yet possesses a classic feel or touch.It blends seamlessly into a variety of spaces, and I believe you’ll see why when you view the perspective renderings showing it placed in simulated environments.
METAL is an effective material for achieving compactness and lightness. In contrast, WOOD offers an organic and natural alternative.We initially produced the product with a wooden shell, but it was angular and heavy. (See photo.)The alternative material is an aluminum shell with a three-dimensional wood grain print.Although it is expensive, we were able to round the corners, which not only reduced the weight but also improved safety and durability.
When designing restaurants in central Tokyo, I often found that the minimum width for a two-person table was 600 millimeters.Based on my experience, the optimal arrangement for chairs and tables is for the chair width to be narrower than the table width; this also looks more visually appealing.The number of seats in a restaurant is a crucial factor for business operations, especially in smaller establishments. Standard wooden armchairs are typically over 65 centimeters wide, which is inefficient and makes them heavy.Furthermore, ordinary armless chairs fail to convey a sense of luxury or privacy. They also leave the diner’s feet too exposed when viewed from the side.Napkins slide onto the floor, and there’s no place to set down a small bag.In Tokyo, the reality is that we must constantly seek ways to create a space where people can relax, even in spaces that are by no means spacious.Chairs play a major role in achieving this.
For this design, we sought the cooperation of Japanese chair designers. We designed the fabric portion to be rounded so that it comes into contact with the user’s arms before the aluminum shell does, while also providing a certain degree of softness. Meticulous attention to detail has been paid to ensure that even these small curves provide a sense of comfort.
In my day-to-day interior design work, I don’t usually design chairs.While I design tables, bench sofas, and stools, chairs are a distinct design category.However, I’ve always been very interested in them, and selecting chairs has been one of my favorite parts of interior design. Through my work on numerous retail store designs, I’ve remained convinced that this concept is effective.What ultimately made this project possible was the fact that my workload decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, giving me more free time.It was around that time that I learned about the A Design Award.
This frame combines structural integrity with armrest functionality. The frame’s design makes the legs appear long and sleek.The legs are composed of a single, continuous rectangular tube. While standard chairs typically feature a reinforcing frame near or beneath the seat, this chair does not. It is there, but it is virtually invisible.These long legs contribute to the chair’s distinctive style, making the shell appear to float.We did not resort to the common design tactic of simply raising the seat height to make the legs appear longer in order to enhance the chair’s aesthetic appeal.
To put it simply, I approached two companies—one specializing in cutting-edge laser technology andthe other in traditional craftsmanship—and commissioned them to produce the piece. I sent a prototype of the shell to an upholstery company for their approval, and I’d say we managed to create a perfect marriage of the two?
To be honest, I’m not sure exactly how well we can meet consumer needs.However, by combining the three elements—shell, upholstery, and frame—and adjusting the size, we can create a wide range of variations.In terms of virtual designs, we can even create everything from armchairs to high-counter chairs.Please take a look at the attached images. There are truly countless variations possible.
We enlisted the help of two companies in Japan’s interior design industry that specialize in high-precision metal panel fabrication. The aluminum panels were wood-grain aluminum panels—a new product at the time—manufactured using one company’s proprietary technology. While their aesthetic appeal is a key feature, their light weight and durability are also important factors.We then approached another company with expertise in laser cutting and bending to discuss whether they could fabricate the panels.As you can see in the photo, we were ultimately able to make it happen.
I believe this creates a new dimension for chairs.Take, for example, the kind of cramped urban restaurant I mentioned earlier.Similarly, there are spaces where floor area is limited but operators still want to stand out—such as high-end brand stores for brief customer interactions or waiting areas. There aren’t many chairs on the market that are suitable for seating guests when there’s no time or resources to guide them to a larger space.I imagine this product could make inroads into such niche applications.