Nicky Lobo speaks with designer and Massproductions founder, Chris Martin, to get the inside word on the Tio Collection, the company’s new wire range.
October 13th, 2011
Chris Martin (left) and Magnus Elebäck of Massproductions
NL: What is the concept behind the Tio Collection?
CM: Many people think chairs made in metal wires are uncomfortable. I thought it would be interesting to challenge that assumption. I started with full size polystyrene comfort models and then built a logical wire construction from that, which would also allow for stacking.
NL: What are the design features?
CM: The Tio collection is quite transparent, so it doesn’t compete with architecture or interior spaces. This makes it very adaptable to many situations. The chairs are stackable, comfortable, available with an optional seat pad, relatively light for a metal chair (5.35kg), and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
NL: How does it express the Massproductions approach/aesthetic?
CM: We always try to harness the benefits of serial production in our work. We find this makes a better product at a better price. The wires are bent on a computer controlled bending machine and then welded together by hand. It’s this combination of mass production and skilled handwork which defines our products. You can also see this in our new Crown chairs, which are made from moulded foam components which are then upholstered by hand. I think furniture in particular is suited this approach to production.
NL: What is the target market for Massproductions and how does this collection appeal to them?
CM: We tend not to think too much in terms of target markets, but rather produce things which we ourselves have a passion to see in the public realm. I’m quite conventional in my approach to design – I favour sculptural forms, rich materials and pragmatism, things which have been challenged in recent years. Having said that, our work does tend to end up in places like hotels, restaurants and bars a lot, as well as people’s homes.
Massproductions
massproductions-online.com
Massproductions is available in Singapore at Miles & Theodore.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Marylou Cafaro’s first trendjournal sparked a powerful, decades-long movement in joinery designs and finishes which eventually saw Australian design develop its independence and characteristic style. Now, polytec offers all-new insights into the future of Australian design.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
A portfolio full of big names such as Tom Dixon and Avanti hasn’t led Jamie McLellan to believe he has reached his peak, Lee Suckling discovers.
As we await news from our INDE.Awards jury on the winning projects and practices of 2022, we talk to last year’s winners about what it means to receive an INDE accolade.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
By adding Muuto to its roster as Singapore’s only retailer, XTRA not only celebrates the enduring appeal of Scandinavian design – it heralds a whole new perspective on its universally appealing legacy.
Adaptive reuse is all the rage across the design industry, and rightly so. Here, we present a selection of articles on this most effective approach to sustainability.
Overcoming pandemic hurdles to redefine guest experiences amidst Sydney’s bustling entertainment precinct, The Darling has undergone a two-year restoration that melds Art Deco interiors with the necessities of hotel living.