Arundell Reading Chair
Jack Arundell of Edinburgh based design studio Izat Arundell was left a small sum of money from his late Grandparents estate and so commissioned me to design and produce a chair which would form a physical reminder of their memory. Jack’s Grandfather, Phillip, like many others in the world in their later years, had a favourite chair and this formed the starting point for the Arundell chair. A chair for reading in comfort, which is relaxed but also cognitive.
I have worked with Jack on various projects and furniture in the past, so he felt it was right to commission me to design and produce such a personal piece. The project began with an open dialogue on favourite chairs and areas of production. We both believe there is an inherent and unconscious quality to forms sculpted by a skilled makers hands, and decided the primitive act of carving should be central to the chairs identity. The organic shapes of Finn Juhl, Eames and Windsor chairs became important references.
In order to achieve the light, sinuous forms we decided the chair should be carved from a solid mass of native wood. The exact nature of the components were to be discovered within the timber, leaving the final design of the chair to be revealed only at the last minute. This journey into the unknown brought an element of risk and the quality of the result depended greatly on the care, judgement and dexterity of my experience as a maker.
Image credits : ZAC + ZAC