The silhouette of Purcell Rodrigues’s Cartesian chair elevates simple functional design to an art form. This elegant aircraft grade aluminium chair with its subtle, mathematically generated ornamentation and faded anodized finish embodies processes that are on the leading edge of design and manufacture.
The Cartesian Collection is named after Descartes’ Cartesian coordinate system, the foundation on which CAD software is built. The Cartesian coordinate system allows shapes such as curves to be written as algebraic equations making this chair’s ornamentation possible through mathematical functions.
Alexander utilises new aluminium fabrication methodologies and finishing techniques coupled with generative modeling tools and algorithm-based patterns combined to create a gracious and functional chair. Developing an approach he created for his Spiro chair (2009), Alexander has established a unique way to form and ornament the entire back of this chair fading the pattern as it evolves.
The Cartesian chair is the first piece to be released in the collection and has been made possible through the manufacturing expertise of Neal Feay. Purcell Rodrigues and Feay, working closely together, have created a new aluminum fabrication methodology that allows them to apply ornamentation without the excessive machine time and material waste associated with traditional methods.
The Cartesian chair combines the best of modern design with evident practicality. The chair is stackable, flat packable and comfortable as well as being environmentally friendly as a result of its lean manufacturing process. The Cartesian chair delivers form, function and fabrication in perfect equilibrium.
Available in numerous anodize colors either with or without ornamentation and upholstery. A solid wood leg version will also be available in either walnut or white oak.
