PORTUGUESE ROOTS Chair

PORTUGUESE ROOTS Chair is an innovative furniture design that represents a significant reimagining of traditional Portuguese seating, created by designer Alexandre Caldas. This distinguished piece, which earned the Silver A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category in 2014, masterfully combines historical heritage with contemporary design sensibilities. The chair's design philosophy emphasizes essential construction elements while maintaining a respectful relationship with the user's space through its thoughtfully considered proportions and clean lines. Crafted primarily from American Walnut and Ash woods, the chair showcases exceptional craftsmanship through its complex joinery and carefully engineered structure, particularly evident in its distinctive back leg angle design that required innovative solutions to manage torsional forces. The integration of Portuguese cork, sourced from the world's leading cork-producing region, adds both comfort and cultural significance while contributing to the chair's environmental sustainability credentials. The design pays homage to a 1953 Portuguese metal chair, transforming its industrial heritage into a refined wooden interpretation suitable for indoor environments. Measuring 53x53x73 centimeters, the chair employs natural oil finishes that highlight the beauty of the wood grain and emphasize the exceptional joinery work. The production process combines advanced CNC machining with traditional handcrafting techniques, requiring expert artisans for the final assembly. This harmonious blend of modern technology and traditional craftsmanship exemplifies contemporary Portuguese design excellence, making it a significant contribution to furniture design history and earning recognition through the prestigious A' Design Award competition.

Author: Adam Dawson

Keywords: Portuguese furniture design, sustainable woodworking, cork integration, traditional craftsmanship, contemporary seating, cultural heritage furniture

SOURCES:
https://competition.adesignaward.com/30504

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