In late 2024 during the final period of my Engineering degree, I set out to design and build an upholstered armchair as a way to deepen my design, woodworking and upholstery skills. The physical nature of shaping and joining pieces of timber provided balance to my algorithmic and software-centered study/work.
The plan was to create a chair that would sit comfortably in a Grey Lynn villa. The house contains a mix of modern and mid-century furniture, so the chair was designed to sit between these two worlds.
The chair’s six-leg design is inspired by the logo of the Ivan Meštrović Museum, referencing the stylised ‘M’ of Croatia’s most famous sculptor. The two rear legs naturally form the backrest angle, and every timber element was kept slim as I like delicate furniture. This thinking also led to the suspended back cushion, which creates a sense of lightness.
The chair is upholstered in Kvadrat Ecriture, a fabric which has colours influenced by ceramic glazes. It was specifically chosen for its organic texture and colour which complements the warm tones of the Kauri. The sling holding the back squab features bound edges, reflecting the way I finish the fly pieces in the jeans I make.
My family has a connection with Kauri, my great-grandfather initially came to New Zealand from Croatia to dig Kauri gum. In classic Dalmatian fashion, he later opened a fish shop, and one of its old window sills was used to make the chair. The other Kauri used in the chair was sourced from a demolished villa on my street and salvaged by my dad.
The Spider Chair sits comfortably within its Grey Lynn home. The kauri frame and warm-toned upholstery create an inviting place to sit. Designing and making the chair has been a labour-intensive process and succeeded in its goal of providing a platform to learn and to do something tangible.
Description:
In late 2024 during the final period of my Engineering degree, I set out to design and build an upholstered armchair as a way to deepen my design, woodworking and upholstery skills. The physical nature of shaping and joining pieces of timber provided balance to my algorithmic and software-centered study/work.
The plan was to create a chair that would sit comfortably in a Grey Lynn villa. The house contains a mix of modern and mid-century furniture, so the chair was designed to sit between these two worlds.
The chair’s six-leg design is inspired by the logo of the Ivan Meštrović Museum, referencing the stylised ‘M’ of Croatia’s most famous sculptor. The two rear legs naturally form the backrest angle, and every timber element was kept slim as I like delicate furniture. This thinking also led to the suspended back cushion, which creates a sense of lightness.
The chair is upholstered in Kvadrat Ecriture, a fabric which has colours influenced by ceramic glazes. It was specifically chosen for its organic texture and colour which complements the warm tones of the Kauri. The sling holding the back squab features bound edges, reflecting the way I finish the fly pieces in the jeans I make.
My family has a connection with Kauri, my great-grandfather initially came to New Zealand from Croatia to dig Kauri gum. In classic Dalmatian fashion, he later opened a fish shop, and one of its old window sills was used to make the chair. The other Kauri used in the chair was sourced from a demolished villa on my street and salvaged by my dad.
The Spider Chair sits comfortably within its Grey Lynn home. The kauri frame and warm-toned upholstery create an inviting place to sit. Designing and making the chair has been a labour-intensive process and succeeded in its goal of providing a platform to learn and to do something tangible.