Whether you see it initially or not, the inspiration behind the Madame Expansée Stool is cathedral construction. The grand, elegant and precisely articulated piers and vaulting of Christian sanctuaries have been reworked into a quirky piece of furniture.
The product was upholstered from various cuts of material, sewn together to give the impression of the arching triangles and diamond shapes that can be seen on the ceilings of flanking arcades. Many seams run up and down the supports of the piece, discernibly warped as the cushioned top.
Three legs instead of four and the expression of misshapenness are what make Dimitri Bähler's Madame Expansée Stool an imaginative deviation from the refined and rational architectural concept. Stuffed with soft polyurethane foam, the plump and plushy pieces assume more casualness in the bold colors of purple and blue.
Architectural Asymmetrical Seats
The Madame Expansee Stool is an Abstract, Scaled-Down Creation
Trend Themes
1. Asymmetrical Furniture Design - There is a trend towards creating furniture designs that deviate from traditional symmetrical shapes, creating disruptive innovation opportunities for companies to experiment with bold, unconventional designs.
2. Incorporating Architectural Inspiration in Furniture Design - A trend towards incorporating elements of architectural design in furniture creates disruptive innovation opportunities for companies to blend the two disciplines and produce unique hybrid designs.
3. Use of Non-traditional Materials in Upholstery - A trend towards using multiple cuts of non-traditional materials in upholstery creates disruptive innovation opportunities for companies to experiment with new textures and materials, resulting in visually striking and distinctive products.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture Manufacturing - Incorporating architectural elements in the creation of furniture products creates disruptive innovation opportunities for companies in the furniture manufacturing industry to develop unique, hybrid designs.
2. Interior Design - The trend towards asymmetrical furniture design enables the interior design industry to explore new styles and furniture arrangements that deviate from traditional, symmetrical designs.
3. Textile Manufacturing - The trend towards using non-traditional materials in upholstery creates disruptive innovation opportunities for companies in the textile manufacturing industry to produce distinct and unconventional textures and patterns for use in furniture design.