At Kartell this year, the company renowned for its deep research into the sculptural possibilities of plastic moved into a new cellulose-based polymer with a company it has also invested in, and took another side-step with long-time collaborator Philippe Starck to explore the possibilities of wood within its collection.
During the 1950s the American designers Ray and Charles Eames were experimenting with steam, learning how to bend plywood and creating some of the first pieces of plywood furniture. In post-war America, their approach to design was all about restraint and they often used processes from other industries to find a solution: their first plywood chair for example, came out of the methodology used in the fabrication of timber splints for the army.
The P/Wood collection designed by Philippe Starck for Kartell. Photo c/o Kartell.
This broader material move could be seen as a natural step for a company that continually pushes the innovation buttons, but it can also be read as a smart diversification into a closed-loop environmental position at a time when manufacturers and designers are looking at how to build sustainability into every stage of the production process.
"Kartell has been using human intelligence to transform raw material into magical furniture. Now, Kartell is using the same talent to transform the slightest bit of wood dust, the smallest film of wood, the humblest wood residue, into furniture. The great Ray and Charles Eames proved the modernity of the intelligence of plywood; more than 50 years later, technological progress has allowed us to offer even more with even less."
Philippe Starck
Employing a new patented technology that reduces the use of wood to just 1.5mm slices, Kartell machines the wood into soft curves that explore an elasticity not unlike plastic designed by Starck to wrap around the body. The timber shells are made of light ash, darker rosewood and princess wood, and connect to a frame and legs made of plastic or metal. The collection includes three chairs, with two armchairs, one a highback, and a foot stool.
Kartell is available exclusively in South East Asia from Space – Australia – and Space – Asia.
