ddp design fair

 During Milan Design Week at the historic Museo Bagatti Valsecchi, Zaha Hadid Design unveiled the Seyun collection of solid wood chairs and tables. This is the first time the collection, which includes chairs, armchairs, and tables in a variety of sizes, has been released outside of the U.S. Seyun chairs have already been introduced in Japan. The Seyun line is a collaboration between Japanese wooden furniture manufacturer Karimoku and Zaha Hadid Design. The two companies began the project in 2016, before the untimely passing of architect Zaha Hadid (founder of Zaha Hadid Design Studio), and worked together during COVID-19.

"The design was developed before Zaha Hadid passed away, so she was able to see it in person. If she had seen the finished chair, she would have loved it and wanted to produce it," says Maha Kutay, Zaha Hadid Design Director.

The work with Karimoku also speaks to Zaha Hadid‘s love of Japan, Maha Kutai adds. "One of the first projects she did was the interior for Monsoon restaurant in Tokyo, so she‘s always loved Japan."

The Seyun chair is made by turning a piece of wood and it has a unique gap where the wood meets the wood. "The structure of the Seyun chair is completely different from a traditional chair," says Hiroshi Kato, vice president of Karimoku. "A traditional chair has two front legs, a seat, and a backrest. The Seyun chair consists of three asymmetrical parts. At the same time, we wanted to create a chair that is everyday, practical, comfortable, and durable," adds Kato.

 The tables, which come in two sizes, also feature a unique design. The patterns on the small and large tables match, and the modular design allows them to be combined to create a unit. The goal of Zaha Hadid Design Studio and Karimoku was to create furniture that is suitable for everyday use. "We wanted to create an everyday chair that you can use in your living room and touch and feel every day, not like an exhibition chair in a museum," says Woody Yao, Zaha Hadid Design Director.

 Seyun - Zaha Hadid Design for Karimoku was on view at Museo Bagatti Valsecchi, Via Gesù 5, Via Geschi 5, from April 18 to 23, 2023.

Photo: Luke Hayes

originally published by Dezeen. 

source: dezeen.com/2023/04/24/zaha-hadid-design-seyun-karimoku/