Zig 凳子 by Jules S. Jaffe is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award 铁奖 in 家具设计 Competition Category.

铁家具· 2020

Zig 凳子

by Jules S. Jaffe

Client: Jules S. Jaffe

A' Design Award 铁奖 Winner in 家具 Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #89459

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Zig 凳子

该设计的灵感来自于在需要美观和功能的技术挑战的背景下展示木材独特属性的愿望。对于 Jules S. Jaffe 来说，这就是家具设计的挑战。这里的挑战是提供稳定性和强度，以适应最终设计中的轻盈感和张力。由此产生的凳子具有堪称典范的强度，但也具有轻盈和平静的感觉，其几何形状可以追溯到设计师的毕达哥拉斯学派

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 铁奖

Zig 凳子是 A' Design Award 铁奖得主，这是授予满足人们对设计精良的创作所期待的专业与工业要求的优良设计的声望认可。铁奖得主展现出其创作者的高超技艺、高度专业化、专家级的理解力和创造能力。预计Zig 凳子将成为一件备受推崇、令人钦佩且被珍爱的创作，既实用又创新。这件赢得 A' Design Award 铁奖的设计整合了行业最佳实践，并拥有与专业知识和才华相结合的称职技术特性。Zig 凳子因其严谨而受到尊重，旨在提供有助于让世界变得更美好的生活品质改善。

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.