P5 Studio and Italian leather expert Frag collaborated in 2019 with 8 Singaporean design and architecture practices to explore new and unique takes on one of Frag's iconic seats, the Ele Chair (pictured above).
The design of the Ele Chair is inspired by the sinuous shape of a woman. The seat and backrest are lightly padded, and the connecting piece between them parallels the "waistline" to give it a fluid silhouette.
We have a look at the 8 different interpretations that breathe new life into this furniture.
1. The Jacket Chair
Designed by Produce X Superstructure
As its name suggests, the designers created a "jacket" for the Ele Chair here, offering its user a private space to sit in.
2. #17 by Studio Wills + Architect
Architect William shared that his first impression of the chair was that its raw leather was hard, would easily stain and didn't complement the interiors of his studio.
With that in mind, he created a protective cover that is soft to the touch, prevents stains and also complements the light wood interiors of the space the chair sits in. The handwoven knitted "outfit" can be worn separately to lend it a different look and character each time.
3. Barbaro by Atelier Ikebuchi
The designer at Atelier Ikebuchi personified the Ele Chair to be a person named Barbaro, who is fashionable and loves to wear gorgeous wild fur and broken leather. To complement the rustic look is a gun at his back.
4. Chop Chop Chair by Parenthesis studio
Paying homage to Frag's legacy, Parenthesis studio's interpretation of their version of the Ele Chair showcases customised stamp prints of the Ele chair's blueprint imprinted on the leather. This idea aims to highlight and affirm the trademark, identity and quality of Frag.
5. Elemental by Right Angle Studio
Right Angle Studio envisions leather as a form of viscous matter, like how water takes shape to its surrounding.
6. Umbra by Architology
The design of Umbra by Architology requires one to look beyond the chair, and focus on the shadow it casts. The designer shared that it is not often that one gets to see the crafter working on the furniture piece he creates, but with Umbra, there is a glimpse of the person behind the scene.
7. Frag-ments by Studio IF of Formwerkz
Studio IF's design aims at empowering the Ele Chair with a "dress" tailored from its very own scrap leather, questioning designers to reconsider ways to use materials without wastage.
8. The Impossible Chair by Super Fat Designs
The web and weave around the chair symbolises a skeletal fixture around the waistline, which was designed with the intent to challenge the idea of the idealised human form.