Interview about Primadonna Armchair, winner of the A' Furniture Design Award 2025
The Primadonna Armchair is a masterful blend of elegance and comfort. Its circular frame, crafted from solid wood, features smooth, flowing lines that highlight its timeless design. The armchair includes an upholstered seat and cushions for exceptional comfort, complemented by a matching ottoman. Designed with meticulous attention to detail, it balances aesthetics and functionality, offering versatility for a variety of interiors. The Primadonna is not only a seating solution but also a sophisticated statement of refined craftsmanship.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsAbsolutely — choosing kiri wood was both a conscious and poetic decision. Known for its lightness, strength, and fast-regenerating properties, kiri embodies the very principles I wanted the Primadonna to express: elegance, responsibility, and longevity. Its sustainable nature aligned beautifully with my commitment to environmentally sensitive design, but it also offered unique aesthetic and structural opportunities.The circular frame of the Primadonna was directly shaped by the wood’s inherent qualities. Kiri is surprisingly pliable for a hardwood, allowing me to explore continuous curves and sculptural softness without compromising durability. That fluid, enveloping silhouette became central to the chair’s identity — not just visually, but emotionally. It embraces the user in a gesture of comfort and presence.By working with a material that’s both gentle on the earth and generous in its expression, I was able to craft a piece that feels as light as it looks — airy, elegant, but grounded in intention.
The idea behind the Primadonna’s modular design was born from a deep understanding of how modern living demands flexibility without sacrificing style or comfort. Contemporary spaces often require furniture that adapts seamlessly to different moods, functions, and moments — whether it’s a quiet afternoon of relaxation, an intimate conversation, or a casual gathering.Incorporating the ottoman as both a footrest and a side table was a way to honor this versatility. It’s a piece that invites the user to interact with it on multiple levels — to put their feet up, to place a book or a cup of tea, or even to rearrange the setting according to their needs. This dual functionality reflects my belief that good design should enhance daily life by being as dynamic and multifaceted as the people who live it.Moreover, the clean lines and cohesive aesthetics ensure that functionality never feels utilitarian or intrusive. Instead, it becomes an elegant extension of the chair’s sculptural form — a quiet companion that enriches the space while respecting its character.
Thank you for highlighting that — the smooth, flowing lines of the Primadonna are truly the result of a deep dialogue between the material, the hand, and the eye. Working primarily with manual techniques presented both challenges and opportunities to honor the wood’s natural qualities while achieving the chair’s elegant silhouette.Kiri wood, while lightweight and flexible, requires meticulous care during shaping and finishing to maintain structural integrity without losing its softness. The process involved a careful balance between precision carving and intuitive adjustments, always attentive to the grain, texture, and subtle variations in each piece.One of the greatest challenges was ensuring continuity in the curves — that seamless flow which gives the chair its iconic embrace. This demanded patience, repeated refinements, and a sensitivity that only comes from working closely with the material, almost as if the chair guided the maker’s hands.In the end, those flowing lines are more than an aesthetic choice — they are a celebration of craftsmanship, material respect, and the human touch. It’s this blend that I believe gives Primadonna its timeless elegance and soul.
Balancing durability with sophistication was central to the fabric choice for the Primadonna. I wanted the upholstery to complement the chair’s graceful form while meeting the practical demands of everyday living — especially considering how many people now seek pieces that blend luxury with resilience.The high-performance, waterproof fabric offered the perfect solution. It provides protection against wear, spills, and exposure, ensuring the chair remains beautiful and functional over time. But beyond its technical qualities, the fabric’s texture and finish were carefully selected to enhance the tactile experience and visual harmony with the warm, natural tones of the kiri wood.I believe that true luxury lies not only in appearance but also in longevity and comfort. Choosing a fabric that could endure without compromising on elegance was a way to honor the user’s lifestyle while maintaining the Primadonna’s refined character.
Ergonomics was at the core of the Primadonna’s design journey. I believe that true elegance is inseparable from comfort, and for a piece as intimate as an armchair, this connection becomes even more essential.My research involved studying the natural posture of the human body, the subtle ways it seeks support and relaxation. The specific curves of the Primadonna — from the gentle sweep of the circular frame to the contour of the upholstered seat and backrest — were carefully sculpted to cradle the body without imposing, inviting a feeling of effortless repose.Proportions were refined through iterative testing, ensuring the chair accommodates a wide range of users while maintaining its sculptural integrity. The balance between openness and enclosure allows the sitter to feel both embraced and free, which is fundamental to the armchair’s emotional appeal.Ultimately, this ergonomic focus ensures that Primadonna is not only a statement of style but a sanctuary of well-being — where beauty and comfort coexist seamlessly.
Designing the Primadonna to be easily disassembled without compromising its structural integrity was a key engineering challenge — and a reflection of my commitment to both practicality and enduring quality.From the outset, I focused on creating a joinery system that would allow secure connections yet remain accessible for assembly and transport. This involved selecting durable, precision-engineered fittings that align perfectly with the chair’s organic forms, ensuring stability without visible hardware disrupting the aesthetic.Attention was also given to the distribution of loads throughout the frame, so that even when assembled or disassembled, the chair maintains its strength and comfort. The modular nature respects the material’s limits, particularly the kiri wood’s flexibility, while leveraging its strength in key areas.Ultimately, this efficient system enhances the chair’s versatility, making it ideal for contemporary lifestyles where mobility and adaptability are increasingly valued — all without sacrificing the timeless elegance and solidity that define Primadonna.
My Brazilian background and connection to the rich tradition of craftsmanship here have profoundly shaped the Primadonna. Brazil’s culture is full of warmth, creativity, and a deep respect for natural materials — qualities that I wanted to infuse into this piece.Growing up surrounded by artisans and the vibrant design community, I learned to value the human touch and storytelling embedded in handmade work. This influence guided my approach to balancing precision and softness in the Primadonna’s design, marrying contemporary techniques with a soulful, handcrafted feel.The Brazilian landscape and its diverse textures also inspired the chair’s fluid forms and natural finishes, reflecting a sense of place and belonging. Ultimately, the Primadonna is a tribute to the spirit of Brazilian design — a blend of elegance, sustainability, and heartfelt craftsmanship.
The development journey of the Primadonna from June to December 2024 was full of insightful discoveries that enriched the final design in unexpected ways. One of the most significant was realizing how the interplay between the kiri wood’s natural flexibility and the hand-finishing techniques could be pushed further to enhance both comfort and sculptural presence.Early prototypes revealed subtle opportunities to refine the circular frame’s curvature, creating an even more enveloping embrace without compromising the chair’s lightness. This iterative process also led to innovations in the joinery system, making disassembly smoother while preserving strength.Another pleasant surprise was how the modular ottoman evolved from a simple footrest to a multifunctional companion piece, doubling as a side table and inviting new ways of interacting with the chair. This duality added a dynamic layer to the design, perfectly suited to contemporary lifestyles.Ultimately, these discoveries reinforced the philosophy that design is a living dialogue between material, maker, and user — a journey where openness to experimentation transforms intention into experience.
The idea of removable upholstered components in the Primadonna grew out of a desire to marry luxury with practicality — ensuring that the chair remains as beautiful and inviting years down the line as it is the day it’s first enjoyed.Initially, the focus was on comfort and aesthetic harmony, but as the design evolved, I recognized the importance of easy maintenance in real-life use. I wanted users to feel confident that their investment would endure without sacrificing elegance.This led to developing a system that allows the upholstery to be gently removed and reattached without disrupting the chair’s seamless silhouette. It required close collaboration with fabric specialists and craftsmen to ensure the fastening mechanisms were both durable and discreet.The result is a feature that supports sustainability by extending the piece’s lifespan and offering the possibility of refreshing or replacing textiles over time — all while preserving the Primadonna’s refined appearance and comfort.
Sustainability was a fundamental guiding principle throughout the Primadonna’s design and production. From the very start, I prioritized responsibly sourced kiri wood — a fast-growing, renewable species known for its strength and lightness — ensuring that the material footprint was as low as possible without compromising quality.The production process itself emphasizes precision and care to minimize waste. Combining traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques allowed us to use the wood efficiently, reducing offcuts and maximizing each piece’s potential. Additionally, the modular and disassemblable design extends the chair’s lifecycle by making transport easier and repairs or refurbishment more feasible.Beyond materials and manufacturing, I see sustainability as a holistic commitment — one that encompasses durability, emotional connection, and timeless design. The Primadonna invites users to cherish their piece as a lasting companion, fostering a relationship that counters disposable culture and supports a more mindful, environmentally conscious industry.
Dive into a world of design excellence with our curated highlights. Each feature showcases outstanding creativity, innovation, and impact from the design world. Discover inspiration and learn more about these incredible achievements.
