Description:

The architectural Rakino collection juxtaposes soft sculpted upholstery with a strong, low line frame. The clean linear structure emphasises crisp timber detailing born from a dialogue between the precision of CNC manufacturing and a handcrafted finish.
The collection offers two lounge chairs, two dining chairs and a selection of coffee tables.

The project began with a desire to highlight the skillset present at the clients factory in the Hampshire countryside. The starting point was an idea to challenge the limitations of 3 axis cnc machinery, in combination with just the right amount of skilled hand finishing to remain commercially viable, to create a timber frame that looks like it would require complex 5-axis cnc machining or many hours of hand shaping.

Overall, the design of the chair is firmly rooted in the Northern European modernist tradition, while the silhouette and detailing is unapologetically contemporary. Straight vertical and horizontal sections, that lend an architectural sensibility, meet at smoothly blended junctions. The backrest rail is gently bowed, as if formed by the act of leaning back in the chair.

The upholstered seat element appears slung within the frame, its shell-like form defined by a crisp single seam running around its edge.

The process involved numerous iterations of prototypes, beginning with basic timber and cardboard studies produced in the studio, evolving into pre production prototypes made in the factory. This allowed us to fine tune the comfort and proportions of the chair until we arrived at the end result.

The Rakino lounge chair not only provided the client with a product that has been very well received by the existing clients and attracting new ones, but has also extended the skillset within their factory, giving them confidence to embark on increasingly ambitious projects. It also resulted in the designer being appointed as their consultant creative director, overseeing internal and external studio projects as well as photography, art direction and visual communications strategy.