SEATING STONES DESIGN BY UNSTUDIO FOR KNOLL
BEN VAN BERKEL & CAROLINE BOS
BEN VAN BERKEL & CAROLINE BOS
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These triangular sofas by Dutch architects UNStudio were
inspired by geological formations. Created for furniture manufacturers Walter Knoll,
the seats tesselate to form clusters that break up communal spaces like lobbies
and lounges. They are made of Polyurethane foam on a steel frame and can be
upholstered in a variety of colour combinations that are meant to reference a
collection of precious stones.
"The Seating Stones are designed to generate numerous
different atmospheres, which is why we included a wide variety of possible
configurations and colours but also a selection of materials," co-founder
of UNStudio Ben van Berkel told Dezeen. "We also created something that
wasn’t instantly recognisable as a chair and that in fact was somewhat more
sculptural as a form."
SEATING STONES
Throughout history natural formations have been used to provide
seating elements for rest, relaxation, gathering and communication. Inspired by
the rhythmic smoothness of geological formations, the sculptural Seating Stones
exhibit a playful take on spatial awareness and versatility, presenting myriad
possibilities for placement, color, texture, arrangement and communication.
Seating Stones are designed as individual objects and can be used
autonomously. However they can also be placed side by side as a family of forms
in a variety of configurations. The shape and contours of the seating elements
facilitate a wide range of possible groupings. They can be placed together,
either to accommodate privacy or to invite communication; they can be both
individual and private or social and open.
Seating Stones are equally versatile when it comes to multipurpose
usage, offering a diversity of options for placement; from offices, waiting
rooms, lobbies and meeting spaces to use in the home. In all situations the
configuration of the seating elements can be arranged to suit individual spaces
and the desired ‘connectivity’ of the users.
Inspired by the bright and varied natural fabrics produced by the
Incas of Latin America, Seating Stones can be upholstered in a wide variety of
fabrics and colours. Furthermore, the fabric types and colours can be mixed,
creating different appearances and textures in each element, or in a grouping
of individual seats. The fabrics of the Seating stones can therefore reference
a simple, individual stone, or alternatively can resemble a mixed formation of
richly coloured minerals.
Seating Stones, Walter Knoll, Herrenberg, Germany, 2012
Client: Walter Knoll Location: Herrenberg, Germany
Size/s: w x l x h: 1596 x 876 x 800
Materials: steel frame and PU Foam, upholstered.
Client: Walter Knoll Location: Herrenberg, Germany
Size/s: w x l x h: 1596 x 876 x 800
Materials: steel frame and PU Foam, upholstered.
http://www.dezeen.com/2012/10/27/seating-stones-by-unstudio/
BEN VAN BERKEL & CAROLINE BOS
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UNStudio, founded in 1988 by Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos, is a Dutch
architectural design studio specializing in architecture, urban development and
infrastructural projects. The name, UNStudio, stands for United Network Studio,
referring to the collaborative nature of the practice. In 2009 UNStudio Asia
was established, with its first office located in Shanghai, China. UNStudio
Asia is a full daughter of UNStudio and is intricately connected to UNStudio
Amsterdam. Initially serving to facilitate the design process for the Raffles
City project in Hangzhou, UNStudio Asia has expanded into a full-service design
office with a multinational team of all-round and specialist architects.
PROJECTS WORLD - WIDE
Throughout more than 20 years of international project experience, UNStudio
has continually expanded its capabilities through prolonged collaboration with
an extended network of international consultants, partners, and advisors across
the globe. This network, combined with our centrally located offices in
Amsterdam and Shanghai, enables us to work efficiently anywhere in the world.
With already over seventy projects in Asia, Europe, and North America, the
studio continues to expand its global presence with recent commissions in among
others China, South-Korea, Taiwan, Italy, Germany and the USA.
COLLABORATION WITH LEADING SPECIALISTS
As a network practice, a highly flexible methodological approach has been
developed which incorporates parametric designing and collaborations with
leading specialists in other disciplines. Drawing on the knowledge found in
related fields facilitates the exploration of comprehensive strategies which
combine programmatic requirements, construction and movement studies into an
integrated design. With this network approach UNStudio can set-up
multidisciplinary teams from early stages onwards in order to create an
efficient and integrated working process. This dynamic nature of the practice
enables the exploration of new territories and the adaptation to future
challenges.
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AN EFFICIENT AND FLEXIBLE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
UNStudio’s organizational structure accommodates our objective to be a
flexible partner in challenging projects. We strive for quick and efficient processes,
and we constantly evaluate and renew our working techniques. The management
team of UNStudio consists of Co-founders Ben van Berkel, Caroline Bos and the
Directors Gerard Loozekoot, Astrid Piber and Harm Wassink. Together with a
group of six Associate Directors the board of directors is responsible for the
daily and long term management of the office.
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KNOWLEDGE SHARING IN KNOWLEDGE PLATFORMS
Since the founding of the practice, UNStudio has been developing design
knowledge as a result of combining the designing and building of projects with
an active participation in architectural theory. In 2008, following a continued
interest in geometry, digital production, material effects and attainable
design solutions, this communal knowledge led to the introduction of knowledge
platforms to the studio.
Whilst the primary objective of our project teams is to deliver the ‘result’ of architectural thinking (buildings, plans, designs), the objective of the knowledge platforms is to distill knowledge from within the practice of architecture in order to propel design thinking and innovation.
Whilst the primary objective of our project teams is to deliver the ‘result’ of architectural thinking (buildings, plans, designs), the objective of the knowledge platforms is to distill knowledge from within the practice of architecture in order to propel design thinking and innovation.
IMPROVEMENT AND QUALITY
The research and development of design, data processing, technique and
details, processing technical consequences and architectural supervision of
UNStudio Van Berkel & Bos BV has been found to conform the Standard
NEN-EN-ISO 9001: 2008 since 2001 and most recently in 2010 the Environmental
management systems NEN-EN-ISO 14001:2004.
