studio ffang’s concrete ‘core chair’ encapsulates the essence of brutalism

studio ffang harmonizes architecture and furniture design

Drawing inspiration from the wall-embedded handrail at the Rick Owens store in New York City, Studio FFang’s ‘Core Chair‘ captures the essence of architectural brutalism in the realm of furniture. While embodying the historic design movement’s ethos of simplicity and rawness, the experimental furniture piece is designed to evoke a sense of ‘weight’ and permanency with its geometric form.

A celebration of industrial aesthetics and minimalist construction, it is crafted from a solid block of concrete and adorned with steel. The intentional use of unfinished materials and bare textures in favor of decorative design elements further enhances the chair’s monumental semblance, emphasizing the core values of the architectural movement.

the brutalist chair celebrates raw textures and forms

The ‘Core Chair’ invites a dialogue between architecture and furniture design, bridging the two disciplines with its experimental, sculptural yet functional form. Industrial designer Zhiyuan Fang, founder of Studio Ffang, has employed raw and unpolished materials and solid construction while avoiding unnecessary adornments to embrace the spirit of brutalism.

The chair’s main body structure is crafted with plywood sheets enveloped in hand-laid concrete. This not only reinforces the chair’s rawness but also adds a sense of solidity and permanence to the design. An homage to industrial interior design’s association with brutalism, sleek steel tubes flow through the block of concrete to form the aesthetic contour of the chair while providing functional armrests. 

project info:

name: The Core Chair
designer: Zhiyuan Fang

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