Interview about Oco Armchair, winner of the A' Furniture Design Award 2024
The Oco armchair is a minimalist piece with a strong, elegant and original look. Its name refers to the empty space inside a hollow sphere and it is in this space that those who sit in it are accommodated. The upholstery is ergonomic and soft and the piece comes in a variety of finishes, such as natural wood veneer, lacquer, electrostatic paint and others. The Oco armchair is an example of timeless design, whose aesthetic language breaks the barrier of trends and focuses on the authenticity of ideas.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe hollow hemisphere was conceived as the central element of the Oco Armchair, reflecting my pursuit of exploring the visual and symbolic strength of pure geometry. This choice was not solely aesthetic but also functional. The spherical form, with its symmetry and continuity, creates an experience that naturally, almost intuitively, embraces the human body, providing physical comfort and a sense of protection. At the same time, the piece establishes a dialogue between functionality and artistic expression. The simple and precise geometry evokes a minimalist language, while its striking presence invites reflection on the role of everyday objects in our environment. My intention was to go beyond utility, proposing a design that also fosters emotional and intellectual interaction with the observer, positioning the armchair as a balance between functional furniture and a piece of contemporary art. This concept adds a deeper meaning to the design, connecting aesthetics, utility, and purpose.
The inspiration to combine the minimalist design and ergonomic comfort of the Oco Armchair arose from a desire to explore contrasts—strength and softness, simplicity and sophistication. Fiberglass was chosen not only for its structural integrity but also for its versatility in shaping organic, continuous forms that align seamlessly with the chair’s minimalist aesthetic. Additionally, this material allowed us to achieve a clean, fluid silhouette while ensuring both durability and stability. The development process was a lengthy and exhaustive journey. The focus was on creating a visually lightweight structure that remained sufficiently robust to support adequate loads. During prototyping, we explored different thicknesses and fiberglass stratification techniques to ensure the shell maintained its slim profile without compromising strength. The combination of the fiberglass hemisphere and the upholstery was a deliberate choice to contrast rigidity and softness. This pairing reflects the dual purpose of the armchair: to serve as both a design object and a functional piece of furniture. Throughout the development process, ergonomics were refined by adjusting the curvature, proportions, and finishes, ensuring not only a striking appearance but also a welcoming comfort. The dialogue between materials and forms embodies the ethos of the armchair: a minimalist design rich in experience, seamlessly blending artistic expression with human-centered functionality.
The prototyping process of the Oco Armchair involved complex stages and significant time investment, particularly due to the challenges of working with fiberglass and natural wood veneers applied to an organic, spherical surface. It demanded innovation, extensive experimentation, and persistence to achieve the desired result. For fiberglass, the main challenge was ensuring a uniform, slender, and sufficiently robust structure with perfect fittings, providing the necessary structural integrity for the project. Ensuring strength at the connection points between the shell and the steel base was perhaps the aspect that required the most attention. Regarding the natural wood veneers, the difficulty lay in adapting a material with limited flexibility in multiple directions to a spherical surface, avoiding cracks, deformations, and visual imperfections. The solution came through highly specialized craftsmanship in marquetry, which helped refine the processes of cutting, bending, and attaching the veneers. Additionally, we opted for wood species with greater flexibility. The meticulous development of the Oco Armchair required intense collaboration between industrial and artisanal processes, deepening our appreciation for the value of manual craftsmanship within the design context.
The name "Oco" plays a central role in the conceptual narrative of the armchair. It directly references the empty space within the spherical form, serving as both a physical feature and a metaphorical anchor for the design. This void is not merely an absence but an intentional space that invites interaction and fosters a sense of belonging. Physically, the hemispherical structure guided the design of the armchair by creating a form that is both open and inviting. The user is enveloped by this shape, which provides comfort and a sense of protection. The curves embrace the individual, similar to a cocoon, promoting feelings of security and relaxation. This spatial concept transforms the armchair from a static object into an ergonomic and emotional experience. Emotionally, the empty space, partially filled by the upholstery, symbolizes the idea of potential—something waiting to be completed by the presence and interpretation of its user. The name "Oco" was chosen to encourage a deeper connection with the piece. My intention was to create an emotional resonance aligned with the simplicity and purity of the form, making every interaction with the armchair meaningful.
From a structural standpoint, the addition of a 12 kg metal profile was an essential decision to ensure the stability of the armchair, considering its rounded geometry and the weight distribution at its base. Without this counterweight, the armchair could become unstable, especially during natural movements like sitting down or standing up, compromising both user safety and comfort. Aesthetically, the additional weight plays an equally significant role. One of the design challenges was ensuring that the backrest—conceived as a loose cushion—remained securely positioned on the seat. The goal was to give it a sense of lightness without shifting easily or appearing to float inconsistently. The metal profile, integrated in a concealed manner, allowed us to achieve this balance, keeping the cushion precisely aligned and contributing to both functionality and the visual harmony of the piece. This technical solution was carefully designed to avoid interfering with the visual lightness of the design. The discreet integration of the profile ensures that the armchair's minimalist and refined aesthetic is preserved while meeting the practical requirements of stability and functionality.
There were several standout moments during the prototyping process of the Oco Armchair. Among them, two particularly challenging stages stand out: the lamination of the shell and the development of the fiberglass joints with the carbon steel base. The first challenge stemmed from the low flexibility of wood veneers when applied to organic curves like the hemisphere, which required us to seek highly specialized craftsmanship. The second occurred due to the limitations of fiberglass in shaping highly detailed forms. To remain true to the design, numerous attempts and fiberglass lamination processes were necessary to achieve the perfect fit. In addition to these challenges, it’s worth emphasizing that developing the armchair demanded unwavering persistence. It was one of the most time-consuming and difficult projects in the entire collection, yet it also represented a significant milestone in our creative journey.
The development of the Oco Armchair undoubtedly had some standout moments throughout the process. Two episodes, in particular, left a strong impression on me during this time. The first was the challenge of attaching the wood veneers to the fiberglass shell. The initial design envisioned the application of veneers in two directions, but the complexity of this procedure required a rethinking of the approach. The solution was to create a pattern with four distinct directions, which demanded adjustments to the design and the collaboration of highly skilled craftsmanship to ensure precision in this stage. The second notable challenge was related to the development of the upholstery, particularly in defining the ergonomic features of the backrest cushion. Ensuring comfort without compromising the visual balance or the original design was a task that required numerous adjustments. Everything from foam preparation to stitching details had to be revised to achieve the final result. Lastly, I must emphasize that the development of the Oco Armchair made me appreciate even more the interaction between artisanal and technological processes. While technology is an indispensable tool, there are moments when the artisan's touch becomes irreplaceable, providing solutions that automation alone cannot achieve.
In my view, absolute ergonomics, especially in products intended for mass production, is an ideal that is difficult—if not impossible—to achieve, considering the countless variables that exist between different body types. Each individual possesses unique characteristics that influence their interaction with furniture. However, it is possible to identify general patterns associated with cultural, regional, or population-specific contexts that enable the development of an ergonomic design that meets the needs of most people. For the Oco Armchair, I began with a body standard that served as the starting point for the initial design. From there, I invited individuals whose physical characteristics fell outside this standard to test the prototype. During the tests, participants were able to experience the armchair in various positions, exploring different ways of sitting and standing as well as evaluating overall comfort. This practical phase was essential for identifying adjustments that would make the design more inclusive, comfortably accommodating a broader spectrum of individuals. Even after its launch and availability on the market, I continue to listen to feedback and learn from various user experiences. This openness creates opportunities for future adjustments that can further enhance the ergonomic and comfort aspects of the armchair.
Just as I have drawn on influences that helped shape the concept of the Oco Armchair, I believe it will serve as a foundation for many other creations in the future. The timelessness of its design justifies not only the inspirations it embodies but also its potential to inspire others. I imagine and hope that it will gain increasing recognition, not as an original piece, but as an authentic one—rooted in the beauty of everything that came before it.
What I am most proud of in this design is its ability to unite simple elements into a product that is both complex and minimalist in aesthetic. I am equally proud of the masterful execution of each part of this piece, whose production processes are highly intricate and time-consuming. Receiving the Silver A'Design Award for the Oco Armchair is a significant validation and a reaffirmation of the purpose that guides me as a designer. This recognition highlights not only the aesthetic value of the piece but also the care, commitment, and respect involved in its creation. It reinforces my belief that design transcends the creation of beautiful objects, striving instead to bring meaning and purpose to the world and to people. Ultimately, the Oco Armchair embodies this philosophy, and having this recognized through the A'Design Award is an immense honor for me.
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