Humans are tactile, inherently curious creatures. If given the chance, we enjoy emotive and material qualities of our objects, which are subconscious indicators of its quality. Strong lines and a balanced composition aren’t the only delightful aspects of the new ARBA chair from French designer Erwan Bouroullec for raawii.
The exhibition, which was on view at 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen in June, focused on the relationship between market, gallery, and studio space. Visitors were encouraged to interact with all the objects in the space, and all of the objects were for sale.
Indeed, accessibility is at the forefront of this new collaboration between raawii and Erwan Bouroullec. Thoughtful production methodology and affordability is reconciled with elegant materiality, producing a lasting design. This project is designed to answer the question often posed: “How can designers become more involved with the distribution and production of their works?” They investigate how the designer can have more power in the industry. They also explore how product is consumed. By melding many different spaces into one, the expectations are different and more varied than a traditional store or gallery alone.
The chair comes flat packed, ready to be constructed by the end user. Two molded plywood forms offer a perfect balance of give while still feeling secure. Proportion and shape are meticulously calibrated. The physical weight of the object has been continually refined in the interest of impact – both visually and environmentally. The forms and finish find a delicate balance between prototypal and expertly proportional.
This chair was ideated over many days in the designer’s countryside studio in France. The designer wanted to encapsulate the engineering and testing to that space to see what he could achieve within those boundaries.
“We started from a simple principle and then spent a few days welding, drilling, sewing, and painting in my countryside studio. We wanted to engage into a positive minimum: Being fast and lightweight, both mentally and physically, using available resources without needing to plan for more, discovering through the process of making, and finalizing by intuition,” Erwan Bouroullec says of ARBA’s design approach. “This approach gave us a lounge chair that is easy to read and shows an intentional roughness – not as a stylistic element, but because that roughness is the key to better manufacturing later on.”
The ARBA Lounge Chair will be available starting in September 2024 in three different base colors – Dark Green, Light Grey, and Burned Orange – with a multitude of different painted and veneered finishes. Upholstery options by Kvadrat Textile and Spoor Leather strike an elegant but inviting profile for added comfort and customization.
For more information on the ARBA chair, visit raawii.eu. To learn more about Erwan Bouroullec, visit erwan.bouroullec.com.
Photography by Thomas Degner.