daniel liebeskind: torq chair and table

‘torq’ armchair
image © designboom

architect daniel libeskind has designed ‘torq’ armchair and table for furniture manufacturer
sawaya and moroni.

the armchair draws its influence from museo di arte contemporanea (milano) which is based
on leonardo’s inscription of the human figure as seen in the circle and the square.
this ensemble is created from simple geometries in a complex relationship.

‘torq’ armchair
image © designboom

the concept of ‘torq’ continues a conversation with the traditions of tubular steel furniture
originating from the bauhaus, passing through the art deco period and into contemporary
times. what is new in the architecture of the armchair and the table, is the concept of transforming
a square tubular base through a series of projections, into a circle. ‘torq’ develops a new reading
in the relationship between supporting structure, the seat and the back, and for the table and
the top. a tension develops between the linear construction of the tubular steel and the volumetric
opacity of the seat, the back rest and the table top.

‘torq’ table
image © designboom

the ‘torq’ ensemble is as variegated as a building, functioning in different modes: line,
plane, mass, volume and space engaged in a contrapuntal movement. in construction,
use and appearance, the furniture pieces speaks to the fact that despite scale differences
there is a conceptual equivalence between furniture and architecture.

‘torq’ is currently being exhibited for milan design week 2010.

‘torq’ armchair and table
image © designboom

process sketches by daniel libeskind

process sketches by daniel libeskind

process sketches by daniel libeskind

process sketches by daniel libeskind

daniel libeskind
portrait © designboom