Accessible design usually ends up helping us all, ergonomics and science working together to create smarter, research-backed solutions. The solid oak Svelte Collection, by OWIU Design, is born out of this premise, created out of an inextricable relationship between art and science. A commitment to thoughtful craftsmanship makes these designs a unique addition to assisted living design, portable and comfortable for anyone. With this project, OWIU reminds us that adaptive design, while created for a specific audience, can actually help us all. Comprising the stackable Svelte Chair and the Svelte Table, the collection adds a level of elegance to design for aging populations, showing respect and care for our elders.
As generations, we age differently, and the Baby Boomer generation is no different. Sustainable design, wellness classes, and mental health are welcome additions to elder care, offering a more holistic vision of assisted living, with elegant design to match. Softly sloping, the Svelte Chair offers an easy, approachable vision of how design could look if we really dug in to these necessary but often last-considered functions, with the belief that we deserve dignity at any age.
Starting off with a nicely tapered leg, the seat immediately feels open and welcoming. A synthetic leather cushion keeps things comfortable and easy to clean, OWIU cognizant of their audience. A beautifully generous arm flows into an organic backrest, capitalizing on the best iterations of multiple techniques to create the final design. This juncture looks incredibly solid, offering visual weight for a chair that seems to be standing on tiptoe. The arms offer a safe spot to grip for those looking to stand up or sit down while remaining stabile. Paired with the Svelte Table, the duo clean up nicely, elevating any interior, commercial or private.
The Svelte Table, available in two sizes, features a smooth, rounded curve that transitions from the tabletop to the legs. The lack of sharp corners was intentional, helping prevent injury to someone in their advanced years or a child when one is moving around near the minimalist table.
OWIU Design, aka Only Way Is Up, is a full-service architecture and design studio based in Los Angeles. Strongly advocating for sustainability in development, innovative production methods and thoughtful systems keep their standards high. With rigorous precision of form and meticulous detail work, building spaces not just to last, but to evolve. They believe that the Only Way Is Up isn’t just a belief, it’s a lifestyle.
To learn more about the Svelte Collection from OWIU Design, please visit owiu-design.com.
Photography courtesy of OWIU Design.