maarten collignon: barbapoef

barbapoefimage © designboom

designer maarten collignon is exhibiting his ‘barbapoef’ project at the designer’s fair, which is part of the offsite program ‘passagen’ being held in conjunction with imm cologne 2010.

barbapoef is a series of stools which are influenced by the balloon. a large balloon with air is pulled tightly over a wooden block, allowing air to go inside and stays there. the wood contrasts the industrial rubber material of the balloon. when you sit down, the bubble embraces the body. the seating experience can be changed by increasing or decreasing the amount of air inside.

image © designboom

users can increase and decrease the amount of air inside the balloons depending on what kind of seating experience they want image © designboom

designer maarten collignon portrait © designboom

maarten collignon demonstrating the barbapoef image © designboom

pink barbapoef

illustrating the elasticity of the deflated balloon

a balloon is pulled tightly over a wooden block, allowing air to go inside and create the bulbous seat image © designboom

collignon discussing his design with visitors image © designboom

barbapoef series image © designboom

the balloons image © designboom