Interview about Renzo Concept Accent Chair, winner of the A' Furniture Design Award 2025
The accent chair design blends rustic charm with subtle elegance, utilizing carefully selected wood to create a visually light and graceful form. Its curved structure highlights the natural characteristics of the material, while thoughtful craftsmanship ensures durability and comfort. Drawing on traditional woodworking techniques, the design merges timeless aesthetics with a modern approach, resulting in a chair that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, suitable for various interior styles.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsFrom the start, achieving the Renzo Concept Chair's visual lightness was essential to the design goal. My objective was to investigate how curved wood components may produce a sophisticated, nearly floating effect even conceptual without sacrificing the notion of structural stability.During the design process, it was investigated how organic, flowing lines may be employed to imply comfort and support in addition to being purely beautiful. I was able to design a structure that feels flowing and sculpture like by combining classic woodworking methods, such steam bending, with contemporary digital manufacturing techniques. The chair, albeit currently only a concept, is intended to showcase the beauty and solidity of solid wood while providing a sleek and visually light form.
The decision to explore steam bending techniques in the Renzo Concept Chair came from a desire to celebrate the natural behavior of wood while pushing the boundaries of its expressive potential. Steam bending has a long standing history in furniture making, particularly in designs that emphasize fluidity and lightness qualities that were central to my vision for Renzo.I was drawn to this approach because it allows the material to dictate part of the form. There’s an honesty in letting the wood curve naturally under controlled conditions, which creates both structural strength and organic beauty. At the same time, integrating this traditional method with modern tools and digital modeling helped me refine the proportions and ensure that the design remains relevant in today’s context.
Human factors were at the core of the Renzo Concept Chair’s development. Even though the design remains conceptual, I approached it with a strong emphasis on ergonomics to ensure that its sculptural quality would also translate into physical comfort.The dimensions (890mm x 800mm x 890mm) were carefully studied to align with the natural posture of the body in a relaxed seating position. I paid particular attention to the angle of the backrest, the depth of the seat, and the height of the arms to create a sense of support without compromising the chair’s light, open appearance.I also considered how the flowing curves of the structure could naturally follow the contours of the human body, offering both visual softness and functional ease. Even as a concept, Renzo was designed with the goal of feeling intuitive and inviting a piece that anticipates the needs of the user while remaining true to its artistic and architectural language.
The Renzo Concept Accent Chair responds to a growing demand for furniture that blends comfort, sophistication, and sustainability. Its organic, sculptural form is designed to offer visual lightness while maintaining a sense of warmth and approachability. By using natural materials like solid wood and emphasizing fluid lines, the chair invites a relaxed seating experience without compromising style. Every curve is intentional, aimed at delivering ergonomic support with a refined aesthetic. While still a concept, Renzo reflects a shift in consumer preferences toward pieces that are not only functional, but also emotionally engaging and timeless. Its distinctive character lies in the balance it strikes: a statement piece that feels grounded, elegant, and purposeful, making it suitable for both modern and transitional interiors.
Sustainability is not merely a fad; it is a fundamental component of my design philosophy. I wanted to show that design brilliance and environmental responsibility can and should coexist with the Renzo Concept Chair. Great design, in my opinion, starts with materials that are sourced sustainably and takes into account a piece's whole lifecycle. The chair minimizes its environmental impact while embracing the authenticity and durability of natural materials by using solid wood sourced sustainably. The design's minimalism also shows that resources were used carefully, minimizing waste and eliminating excess. My objective was to develop a concept that offers comfort, beauty, and purpose while also honoring the environment and the final user. Sustainability, in my opinion, is a driving force behind more thoughtful, meaningful design rather than a limitation.
Designing the Renzo Concept Chair over four months in New York offered a unique intersection of influences. The city’s energy, architectural diversity, and design innovation pushed me to think boldly and refine every detail with intention. At the same time, my Colombian roots deeply informed the chair’s warmth, organic shapes, and connection to nature. I grew up surrounded by craftsmanship and natural materials, which shaped my appreciation for honest, expressive design. Renzo reflects this duality its sculptural lines and minimal form speak to contemporary urban living, while its use of wood and flowing silhouette pay tribute to the natural elegance often found in Latin American design. The result is a piece that feels global yet personal, grounded in cultural richness and modern sensitivity.
Creating the flowing silhouette of the Renzo Concept Chair meant pushing the limits of what’s typically expected from solid wood furniture. One of the main challenges was envisioning how to achieve organic, continuous curves while still respecting the structural limitations of the material. To address this, I researched traditional steam bending techniques and explored how they could be paired with modern digital modeling to map out precise geometries. Balancing strength with lightness was also a key concern every curve needed to serve both an aesthetic and structural purpose. While still a concept, the design required careful planning around joinery, grain direction, and load distribution to ensure feasibility. These challenges became opportunities to experiment with how craftsmanship and innovation can come together in truly expressive forms.
Getting the Iron A' Design Award for the Renzo Concept Accent Chair is a significant turning point in my design career as well as an honor. This accolade reaffirms my dedication to creativity, sustainability, and handiwork. It motivates me to keep experimenting with the merger of conventional methods and modern technology, pushing the limits of both form and function. The honor inspires me to create designs that handle changing user needs and environmental concerns in addition to being aesthetically pleasing. I see myself building on Renzo's concepts going ahead by improving material efficiency, strengthening ergonomic focus, and refining organic designs. In the end, this recognition feeds my desire to produce furniture that speaks to people both practically and emotionally, raising the bar for responsible, considerate design.
The integration of CNC precision with hand-finishing techniques in the Renzo Concept Accent Chair allows for an ideal balance between accuracy and craftsmanship. CNC technology enables precise cutting and shaping of complex curved elements, ensuring consistency and tight tolerances that would be difficult to achieve by hand alone. This precision streamlines the production process, reducing material waste and improving efficiency. However, the hand finishing stage remains essential to enhance the tactile quality, refine details, and celebrate the natural beauty of the wood grain. This combination brings warmth and authenticity to the final piece, blending technological innovation with traditional craftsmanship. Ultimately, it results in a chair that embodies both modern sophistication and artisanal character, elevating the user experience through superior design and build quality.
My goal for the Renzo Concept Accent Chair is to combine modern design ideas with the inherent beauty of nature. By encouraging designers to work with natural materials in ways that preserve their intrinsic attributes and reduce waste and environmental effect, this ideology promotes sustainability. The design is an excellent example of how innovation can respect the environment while producing stylish, useful things by fusing traditional craftsmanship with contemporary technologies. By encouraging more thoughtful material selections and design methodologies that put lifespan and emotional connection first, I think this strategy will influence the direction of sustainable furniture in the future. In the end, recognizing the harmony between nature and contemporary design creates furniture that is not only ecologically conscious but also classic and significant for its users, fostering a greater understanding of the craft and the natural world.
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