WINNER
Bowater Collection
by Jan Hendzel Studio
A new collection from Jan Hendzel Studio, the Bowater range is a tribute to the versatility of both British timber and craftsmanship. The studio has long been committed to sustainability and with this collection the team was keen to focus energies on preventing waste. Smaller offcuts have been used to create a range of accessories, which can support the function of larger pieces or work as decorative objects. For example, the Bowater Desk Tidies and Trays can fit into the signature ripples, which have been designed into pieces like the Desk, Chest of Drawers and Side Table.
Part of the project involved experimenting with and coining the term “Baked Ash” and “Baked Sycamore”. The team says this is a new material process using thermo modification which allows timbers to be heated chemical-free. This results in a more durable material, but also allowed the designers to produce a range of different colours in the final pieces, from burnt umber to black walnut.
Waste unsuitable to the project has been donated to charity Men in Sheds – an organisation which encourages older men to come together and work together to benefit the local community.
The judges said: “Stunning textures and woodgrain detail. Love the community, sustainability, waste, and authenticity story. Honest joinery and process too. It’s a warm, human and playful design.”
Sunny
by Lammhults Möbel AB
The Sunny easy chair from Lammhults is a piece formed of contrasting elements: created out of bent steel tubes, the studio has softened these with supporting fabric and generously padded cushions. The finished product, the team says, has a plush appearance and relaxing comfort. It’s a modular furniture solution, which can exist as a solo chair or as a series. The frame comes in two finishes: powder coated or chromium plated. Meanwhile, the cushion can be upholstered in “almost any” fabric.
The chair is the result of a collaboration between Lammhults and Gunilla Allard. And as the two parties explain, it was inspired by the Eames House in California – in particular, the scale of the house, as well as its details, materials and form. The playful collection of objects displayed in the house – a mix of large, small, light and dense – is evocative of the possibilities and cheer associated with Sunny.
Puc
by Wiesner-Hager
Wiesner-Hager describes its latest chair, Puc as “light and full of character”, while also being “extremely robust”. It’s these qualities, the studio says, that make it perfect for “all areas”. Puc has a reduced shape, is available in seven polypropylene colours and also a plywood finish, and can be upholstered partially or fully.
Beyond its visible features and finishes, the studio says the most alluring thing about Puc is its “hidden” features. Practical and intelligent features have been integrated into the design of the chair. An “ingeniously simple” linking system is located beneath the lateral shell moulding; optional seat numbers can be clipped on without tools; and the shell functions as a stacking guide and protector. All of this means the chair could work as both a linked chair in an auditorium setting, or as a solo chair.
Umi
by Paul Crofts Studio, for Isomi
After the past year, it’s more important than ever that spaces in the hospitality and corporate sectors can be flexible and accommodating to the needs of customers. With this in mind, Isomi and Paul Croft designed Umi – a modular seating system that aims to make spatial reconfiguration hassle-free. Umi has been developed to allow users to connect directly to a floorplate where needed, or, where spatial requirements may change more quickly, is available with castors. Additionally, the chairs can come with lighting and a rechargeable battery system, or without.
The silhouette of Umi is “simple and refined”, Isomi says. It pairs soft curves with tapered edges, but is by no means lacking in strength. Rather, the studio says the chair boasts impact resistance and strength because of its oak material composition. A carbon capture renewable oak source was chosen, both for its environmental impacts (or lack thereof) and its warm appearance.
Furniture Design
shortlisted
Furniture Design