When is a design finalised? When is it ready for production? Is there an in-between?
A chair as a loom: Julie Conrad set out to design a chair that combines a simple wooden frame and a soft textile seat, the former strong and permanent, the latter flexible and changeable.
The first structures serve as an experimental basis for the designer, who tries out different weaving techniques directly on the structures, learns and changes her mind from one chair to the next. Some of the chairs may be the start of a collection, others will remain one-offs, others will be taken apart and remade. And some will even be finished by the buyers, who knows? Where does the prototype end and the official edition begin?
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The Loom project marries traditional craftsmanship with experimentation, creating a collection of long lasting chairs that convey repairability.
Addressing chair discard issues and high costs, the concept of seat changeability, ease of disassembly and repairability are build into the product, and is made visible to customers already at the procurement stage.
A well-thought-out wooden structure, identical to all the chairs, is matched up with various seats in different natural or reclaimed materials, attached without glue or nails, creating different price segments, aesthetics and setting possibilities, all while maintaining a high-end product.
Optimising production while adhering to and valuing traditional craftsmanship, the seats are woven, knitted or knotted.
Developed in collaboration with the carpenter Norbert Brakonier
