The Zeitraum collection 1.3 by Kihyun Kim. (photo: Zeitraum)
Consciously less and therefore better – in these few words, the furniture company Zeitraum defines luxury for itself. In personal terms this definition of luxury means a free and independent feeling: Luxury as an aspirational concept. In society this is the driving force behind all acquisition of knowledge, further development and innovation and as such is a guarantee for the sustainability of intrinsic value – or in other words, of cultural assets. And it is the basis for the new Zeitraum collection 1.3 by Kihyun Kim.
The ensemble comprises chair, stool and bar stool. The most outstanding feature of this delicate, light 1.3 Chair is the wafer-thin impression made by the fine contours of seat and back. The seat looks if it is floating on air. Chair, stool and bar stool also have the visual softness of “Pad” optic.
Kihyun Kim, designer of the collection 1.3 and graduate of the Royal College of Art, lives and works in London. At the RCA he designed 1.3 Chair under the terms of his degree qualification. This chair was shown for the first time at the exhibition of RCA graduate works. In concept and technical systems it is based on extensive research in the field of lightweight design and ecology. Balsa wood veneer was the solution for the construction of a super-light chair (< 1.3 kg!). The use of fast-growing balsa wood is attractive and is eco logically acceptable. A stable prototype was successfully constructed, such that this approach may be pursued.
Another interesting aspect of this chair lies in the combination of comfort and compactness. It is petite and as such is ideal for rooms where space is important, such as city restaurants, cafés, bars and bistros.
Two factors led to further development so that now we present the series in solid wood: the balsa version of the chair frame, despite veneer finish, was still too sensitive for daily use and secondly, the production process was too complicated and time-consuming for industrial manufacture. An extensive test series with a competent partner company unfortunately did not lead to the desired results.
The 1.3 Chair is nominated for the Design Award of the Year 2012 of the Design Museum, London. Since February it can be seen there in the current exhibition.
24. May 2012
Categories: Exhibitors, News, Trends
Tags: 1.3 Chair, Kihyun Kim, Royal College of Art, Zeitraum
