Transformable furniture often struggles with aesthetics. Think of the awkward mechanisms of Murphy beds or sofa beds that can’t fully hide their dual nature. Jonah Rappaport confronts this head-on with his Silhouette chair, a piece that won the 2025-2026 A’ Design Award. His creation doesn’t just mask the machinery; it redefines it.
Imagine sitting in a piece of abstract calligraphy. Crafted from layered Baltic birch plywood, the chair forms looping, scrolled curves that remain visually striking in any of its three configurations: armchair, lounge chair, or chaise longue. The design cleverly conceals the transformations. Structural elements like the headrest and legrest rotate to change function, with hidden locks in the base holding everything in place. This intricate piece was developed in just four months at Yale’s wood and metal shops, finished in a black stain under clear polyurethane, lending it a sleek and cohesive appearance.
A groundbreaking approach to convertible design
Unlike typical convertible furniture that relies on exposed hardware, Silhouette’s transformation is all about structural intelligence. The components that support relaxation modes become the supportive legs in armchair mode, reorganizing its form with a single, fluid motion. Concealed locks guide each transformation, and the adjustable armrests and backrest allow seamless transitions, no tools needed.
The chair’s components, precision-crafted with laser cutting and hand-routing, are built to last. Metal-to-metal connections replace glue, allowing for complete disassembly and repair — a nod to longevity often overlooked in today’s throwaway culture. Measuring 545mm by 900mm by 860mm in armchair form and extending to 1,400mm in chaise mode, the Silhouette offers versatility without compromising on space.
From graduate project to industry recognition
Jonah Rappaport, hailing from Montreal and refined at Yale, now designs with ASH NYC, a firm known for its material-focused interiors. Silhouette aligns perfectly with this ethos, embodying a design poised for serious interiors that demand elegance without noise. Its accolade from the A’ Design Award underscores its significance amid professionally produced work, noteworthy for a project born in a school workshop. Looking ahead, IP filings in the UK, EU, Canada, and the U.S. hint at a potential production run. Follow Rappaport’s journey at jonahrappaport.com/chair.
Source: yankodesign.com