If I hide unsightly spare seating in my closet, why do I use it for entertaining? I began my graduation project at the Design Academy Eindhoven by examining the characteristics of a common folding chair. Typically the spartan, unsightly seat is hidden away somewhere, only to be pulled out when company arrives. Why do we invite guests to sit on a piece of furniture we’re not proud of? What’s more, if we don’t have room to accommodate extra seating, we probably don’t have much storage space, either. The opposite of an object you're not proud of is one that you're supremely delighted by, as with art. My solution for improving the standard seat plays with this duality; I saw an opportunity to make a chair that functioned as both a work of art and a place to sit. Its physical transformation needed to be seamless—otherwise, the conversion would unfold in a mechanical step-by-step process and detract from the allure of change. The Pick Chair is a canvas with movable joints, where its flat surfaces double as a place for art.
Its hinged metal framework comprises four panels, the top of which features a small hole. The chair can therefore be hung on a wall when not in use, and morphs into a seat with a single gesture: simply set it on the ground and its hinges pivot to form a sturdy base, seat, and back. What’s striking about the Pick Chair is its smooth transition from the 3D (an object) to 2D (an artwork). It stands at the intersection of these dimensions, and paved the way for the recurring theme of physical transformation in our studio’s work today. Use arrow keys to navigate through projects under Design, Green Furniture, Transforming Furniture As far as flexible furniture goes, the folding chair is as old as they come, the first one dating back literally thousands of years. You don’t expect to see much innovation in such a well-established category, but Dror Benshetrit of Studio Dror has managed to invent something new. The Pick Chair is an idea whose simplicity makes it seem obvious – it’s a perfect expression of functional art.
The wood veneer chair, built over a hinged metal structure, hangs flat on a wall when not in use. The surface of the seat can be engraved with a graphic image that transforms it into a decorative object when folded flat. To turn it into a chair, you simply take it off the wall and set it on the ground. The hinges pivot to form a base, seat, and back. The chair is being produced by Italian company Gruppo Sintesi, debuting in Milan this April. Pricing information is currently unavailable. Posted by Scott from Housefish Every holiday entertainer could use some extra seating this time of year. If run-of-the-mill metal folders aren't your style, you'll love these innovative chair designs from some of today's top talent. While most of the chairs fold flat for easy storage, others are small wonders that can go from one-seaters to six-seaters, and some even transform into tables and benches. Keep reading for 12 of the most clever takes on chairs you've ever seen. ISIS by Jake Phipps
The ISIS by Jake Phipps is billed as the thinnest chair in the world, and at 3 cm wide when folded, it just might be. The ISIS chair is an angular, modern piece that folds neatly into a sleek, flat package. It's available to buy direct from the studio. For the eco-conscious small-space dweller, FlexibleLove chairs are made out of 100 percent post-industrial wood waste. At its smallest, the bench can fold together like an accordion to seat one. At its largest, the chair can hold up to 16. Loop Chair by Boaz Mendel The Loop Chair by Israeli designer Boaz Mendel can actually transform into several pieces of furniture. Shown here in a few reclining-chair forms, the Loop Chair is made of seven wood boards connected by hinges stabilized by specialized metal connectors. From extra storage to an end table, the Loop Chair can transform to fit your holiday seating and storage needs. Visit Boaz Mendel's website for more information. Stitch Chair by Adam Goodrum One of the few on the list that's shaped like a traditional chair, the Stitch chair by Adam Goodrum has hinges on every edge to help it collapse.
The seat folds to a closed position that is mere inches thick. Cappellini also makes a hinged bar stool of similar design. They are distributed by the Italian manufacturer, and can be purchased online and in Cappellini's NYC store. Papton Chair by FUCHS + FUNKE A folding furniture equivalent of a paper plane, the Papton Chair by Danish design firm FUCHS + FUNKE is a honeycomb cardboard composite that can be easily shaped—no tools or screws necessary. The end result of this origami seat is a standing chair that weighs less than five pounds. The Papton comes in a variety of colors, and is available to order from FUCHS + FUNKE. Fan Chair by Robert Bliss Robert Bliss' 1993 fan chair is the oldest design on our list. A simple combination of cushions nestled in a teak-wood fan, this chair is one of many designs by the MIT-educated architect and retired professor. Some of Bliss' innovative pieces are now owned by the Smithsonian Museum. Wine Barrel Chair by Whit McLeod
Made in northern California, this chair is inspired by one of the regions most famous exports: wine. Whit McLeod's wine-barrel chair is also on the more affordable end of TOH's cleverest folding chair spectrum. The oak seats are made from discarded wine barrels—part of a full line of furniture McLeod makes from reclaimed or salvaged material. Folding Chair and Ottoman by Brainstream Design Inspired by pop-up books, Brainstream Design created a plywood folding chair and ottoman that completely collapses without tools. The chair is made from 100-percent plywood, and folds to a 60 by 30-inch rectangle that's less than two inches thick. Too minimalist for you? You can accessorize with snap-on cushions. Folding Chair and Table by Offit Paket Looking for a great Turkey Day kids table? This design from Offit comes complete with chairs, and the whole set folds up into one compact cube that could easily double as a modern end table. The Walker Chair by FUCHS + FUNKE