For the exhibition model of our first Windsor chair (comb-back with writing arm) we again had the pleasure of working with De Stalis in Tolmezzo (Italy), it was a rush-job and to our luck Giuseppe and Enrico (father and son) accepted the challenge. Ass we where all pretty stressed with other tasks we only exchanged very few emails before the work to assure materials where available and techniques where fit for the 3 days of time we had (note: 1 day has 24 hours to work in).

In regard to the Corian used for saddle seat, writing arm and comb, we fortunately had Codutti from Altacucina nearby. The spindles and tapered legs was turned in African teak, back spindles where fixed in a tenon in the comb but in the seat they go through to be locked with a wedge.

As is tradition we use wedges to properly fix the spindles (even under the seat). It was absolute a thrill to be in a workshop with people who stay enthusiastic about the project even in late hours and despite back-sets (During the first night I tested Corians ability to fly, the experiment went pretty good but the landing was terrible and it broke). We send the chair to Tokyo wit the legs in a separate parcel (in the world of freight air is expensive), I got there in time and the exhibition was a success, the picture taken by the photographer on the floor (Yuki Omori) and others can be seen here link

Snow Flakes at the Windsor department exhibition in Plot gallery, Tokyo

Snow Flakes is a family of seatings inspired by the Windsor chairs (have many alternative names), the one exhibited here is a lounge or reading chair. I is made in African teak and Corian, has a low-wide seat and a single wide armrest with place for a glass of hot chocolate or whisky according to you linkings. Do not expect us to put chair with seats in Corian into production, this is an exhibition only chair, but the Corian is fantastic for this use as it is a perfect contrast to the wood (see pictures), and bring references to the paint used in american Windsors.

Thanks goes to De Stalis Scale (http://www.destalisscale.com/) in Tolmezzo, Italy, for making this possible. Without the expertice of two generations of cabinet makers working day and night we had never made it, and also to Mr. Codutti for his expertice working with Corian (http://www.altacucina.net/)

Snow Flakes is our first furniture sub-tagged “Windsor department”, this is a group of architects and designers with a special interest in Windsor chairs, we discuss the history of the Windsors and how to keep it alive, hold exhibition showing the outcome and hold talkshows with open discussions for those who wish to partisipate, se more (currently only in Japanese at windsordepartment.com).

Pictures by Yuki Omori

For the record, here is the products exhibited:

As some of you know we have been spending quite some time at Miyazaki chair factory working on the new IS knock-down lounge chair, it is basically two cushions between two sides, but this simple definition does not reflect the workmanship and technical skills needed to also make it a durable piece of furniture, we actually went all the way back to the basic concept and modified a few things more than once to create a continuous line from concept to construction, the holes you see on the side is for modification and testing of seat and back (size and padding).

The armrest of the chair is something apart, we intended it to be perceived differently than the rest of the structure as it is the only wooden part you will have a close “relation” with, it truly was a joy to sculpture and we have a few in the studio just for hugging.

SENSYUGIKEN_MIRATECH CO.,LTD.
9th Nov 2011－12th Nov 2011
FAIR：NAGOYA MESSE 2011