Softseating

Last updated
softseating
DesignerStephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen
Date2003
Materialspaper or nonwoven polyethylene textile, magnets
Style / tradition Modern
Sold by molo (Canada)

Softseating fanning stool + bench is a furnishing made from paper or textile, designed by Stephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen of molo in 2003 and released in 2006. Internal honeycomb geometry allows the elements to store compressed, and then fan open to form seats and tables. [1] Examples of softseating are held in the Museum of Modern Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Design

The paper or textile materials take on flexibility and strength through an ordered, honeycomb geometry. Depending on the number of layers, the honeycomb creates stools and benches of various sizes. When folded, the furniture can be stored like a book. Magnetic panels set into the final layers of each element allow softseating to connect to itself or to link with other elements to form long benches or creative seating arrangements. [5] Stephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen developed the design after considering methods of maximizing small urban spaces for living and working, and how to transform such spaces to suit many types of use. [6] [7]

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References

  1. Schmidt, Petra; Stattmann, Nicola (2009). Un/folded : paper in design, art, architecture and industry (1., korr. Nachdr. ed.). Basel: Birkhäuser. p. 221. ISBN   978-3-0346-0032-3.
  2. "Stephanie Forsythe, Todd MacAllen, Robert Pasut. Paper Soft Seating. 2006 | MoMA". The Museum of Modern Art. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  3. Art Institute of Chicago. "Collections, Molo Design Ltd". Art Institute of Chicago. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  4. Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. "Softseating Stool, 2007". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  5. Brownell, Blaine, ed. (2008). Transmaterial 2 : a catalog of materials that redefine our physical environment (1st ed.). New York: Princeton Architectural Press. p. 161. ISBN   978-1-56898-722-4.
  6. Wiedemann, Dalcacio Reis ; ed., Julius (2010). Product design in the sustainable era. Köln: Taschen. p. 176. ISBN   978-3-8365-2093-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. Woo, Andrea (25 March 2017). "Vancouver studio's flexible molo furniture suits small spaces". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 10 October 2017.