Livingstone

Developed in 2014, the Livingstone family of chairs is a core component of the "Foundations" collection. This series serves as the material outcome of the studio's Master Research thesis, Bastardism, developed at the Design Academy Eindhoven. The project poses a fundamental, almost anthropological question: "Was the first chair a stone?"

To explore this inquiry, the design team created three distinct pieces that reflect on the human approach to form through different creative fields: sculpture, jewelry, and industrial design. Each piece contrasts the raw, amorphous nature of stone with the geometric precision of man-made structures:

Livingstone Armchair: Representing the field of sculpture, this piece sets the heaviness of a large rock in contrast with a light, constructivist steel frame. The rock appears to float, and only the areas in contact with the user have been polished, highlighting its function through materiality.

Livingstone High Stool: Drawing inspiration from jewelry, the stone is set into a steel structure much like a gem in a ring. Although the steel is polished, its industrial imperfections remain visible, celebrating the "honesty" of the material.

Livingstone Rocking Chair: A witty nod to furniture design, this piece plays with the double meaning of "rocking chair." It uses steel and walnut wood, where the natural oxidation of the metal colors the contact points with the stone, documenting the interaction between materials over time.

As part of the "collections" scale, Livingstone represents the "Commodity Foundation" within the studio's broader theoretical framework. By using Bastardism as a design method—a theory about creativity and inspiration in artificial environments—the team provides a material perspective on the fundamentals of our built environment, bridging the gap between natural origins and contemporary domesticity.