M Ch / index /

Barstool 02 —

produced by LUGI

The design process of Barstool 02 lasted between April and September 2010, I consulted with Jakub Korous and Martin Žampach, engineering models were done with Martin Žampach and prototypes were produced by LUGI. In february 2011 Barstool 02 earned me the nomination for Czech Grand Design awards in the category Discovery of the year.

The concept for my first co-operation with LUGI was to show wood craftsmanship, attention to detail and technology that represent the LUGI brand. I decided to do a barstool since it is my favorite typology in furniture and since its tall proportions allow for very visible constructional work.

From the onset I liked the idea of building a very basic recognizable object, but adding one extra element that behaves differently. It is the diagonal stick that makes everything different. It goes through the legs and the seat, connecting all parts of the barstool together to create a very strong structure. It gives the barstool its character, its direction and sitting logic. Its also a small backrest that prevents sliding too far on the seat and losing balance. It is a hook for bags, jackets and other belongings and its the ideal grip. —

Barstool02 is CNC machined from solid steamed ash wood and is hand built by expert carpenters at LUGI. We purposely select wood with intense unaligned grain to exaggerate the woodenness of the stool.

The usual approach to CNC in wood is to glue larger blocks of material and then lathe out complex shapes. I was more interested in using the five axis CNC technology to produce precision components, which are prepared for classic carpentry assembly. I found it appealing to use the precision of the manufacturing to create a precise fitting construction rather than just a precise complex shape. This means that the stool fits together so well that you can sit on it even before it is glued. — M Ch


Download hi-res images and project text.
1 — The clean aesthetics of the barstool combined with many surface finish options mean it can fit within any interior situation.
2 — 780mm high seat and 350mm high foot rest represent the most universal fit. The wax impregnation reveals most of the wood's qualities and protects it from moisture and dirt. The impregnation can be locally repaired which is a great advantage over lacquered surfaces.
3 — A 5mm concave indent in the seat surface is essential for sitting comfort and it stops the user from sliding down allowing them to relax on the stool.
4 — One of the key definitions of a chair is "something you trust to put your weight on". We took special care to construct and balance the barstool so that it gives a solid feeling to the user even when moving about and when there are bags and coats hanging on the back.
5 — The most instinctive way of moving a barstool is by grabbing the seat edge. Thats why the underside of the seat features this groove for fingers around its perimeter.
With Barstool 02 I received a nomination for Czech Grand Design awards in the category Discovery of the year issued by the Czech Academy of design.
6 — Barstool02 features laser engraved technical information and very gentle branding directly in the material.
photo Lukáš Havlena