The Shell Chair was originally produced in a limited edition of 30
Barber & Osgerby are fascinated by creating structural form from folded sheet materials. A paper-thin chair presents a set of interesting design problems, not least those of comfort and strength.
The process of continual iteration, in both line-work and card, informed the straightforward yet elegant character of the Chair. The final form is evocative of the white card models used in the design process, which contributes to the chair’s physical and visual lightness. Although the form is simple, the production process has been pushed to its technical limits.
The Shell Chair was originally produced in a limited edition of 30
Considerable finesse was required in the jointing of the components and, like with the Shell Table, mechanical fixings were avoided. This was only possible because of the exceptional craftsmanship of furniture manufacturer Isokon Plus.
The Shell Table is designed as a simple, incredibly lightweight table, consisting of a moulded laminated top and legs. Made from only five components, the uncompromising glued joints create a strikingly clean and simple table with no visible interruption to the outside skin.
The Shell Table makes reference to Marcel Breuer’s original table for Isokon from 1936
The table makes reference to Marcel Breuer’s original table for Isokon from 1936. The two tables share similar aesthetics and physical attributes including the incredibly strong yet flexible laminated top. This means the table will ‘self-level’ on an uneven floor, with the top flexing to make up for subtle differences in the positions of the four table legs.
The Shell Table is designed as a simple, incredibly lightweight table, consisting of a moulded laminated top and legs
In 2004, the Shell Table was nominated for the Compasso D’Oro. New for 2020, Isokon Plus has developed a new manufacturing technique at their London workshop, which allows the Shell Table to be available in natural birch. This new finish adds to the existing range of painted finishes.
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Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
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Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood
Super lightweight, but incredibly strong, made from moulded birch plywood