SAGA’s geometric vision comes alive
This unconventional outdoor chair, known as the Transat, is a collaborative creation by Loic Cao, Tanguy Caversaccio, and Lola Jutzeler from the Swiss architecture firm SAGA. Installed in the verdant surroundings of the Botanical Garden of Lausanne, the Transat serves as a unique interaction between art and utility.
Developed in partnership with Vitra and the ETH Zurich’s Chair of Landscape Architecture, the Transat stands as a piece of fixed street furniture. Its minimalist and geometric form resembles a sculpture until activated by its user. Draping a fabric over the structure transforms this rigid framework into a seat, introducing a vibrant, live element that beautifully mirrors the natural landscape.
For a deeper look at how design can affect space beyond its visual appeal, explore this creative transformation.
Structural innovation inspired by railways
The design of the Transat takes cues from the robust elegance of railway infrastructure, specifically gantries and catenary systems. The seat is suspended from two pre-stressed metal cables supplied by Jakob AG of Grison, which creates a refined silhouette against its backdrop. This suspension mechanism not only enhances the chair’s aesthetic appeal but also underscores its engineering prowess.
High-quality craftsmanship and material
The Transat’s stainless steel frame, crafted by Julien Favre at the historic Vallorbe forge, demonstrates remarkable metallurgical skill, further highlighted by its location at the Iron Museum. The seat’s fabric is designed for interchangeability, attaching effortlessly with Velcro—a clever nod to the textile phenomenon derived from nature’s own inventions.
This combination of innovation, functionality, and art transforms the Transat into more than just seating: it becomes an interactive piece within Lausanne’s botanical landscape, continually adapting to its user’s presence.
Explore how another elegant chair design merges aesthetics with function, similar to the Transat’s innovative concept.
Source: core77.com