Sillon W chair uses bent walnut plywood to define reception spaces

Conceived at the final stage of an architectural project, Sillon W emerged from a precise spatial need. The reception area required a piece capable of grounding a minimalist void without overwhelming it. Rather than introducing a decorative object, the designer sought a work that could establish a dialogue with the legacy of modern design through a single, continuous organic line. The result is a chair that reads less as furniture and more as a structural gesture, an inhabitable contour drawn in space.

At the core of Sillon W is walnut plywood pushed to its technical limits. The material is bent and calibrated with care, allowing fluid curves to transition into near ninety degree angles with exacting precision. This tension between softness and rigidity defines the character of the piece. The dark timber frame carries a sculptural firmness, while the heavy weave textile introduces tactile warmth. The meeting of these two conditions creates a subtle friction that invites pause, encouraging visitors to inhabit the space rather than simply pass through it.

Scale plays a crucial role in establishing presence. The seat measures sixty centimetres in width and fifty two in depth, framed by substantial fifteen centimetre armrests that lend the chair a commanding silhouette. The backrest, folded at an almost perpendicular angle, nests seamlessly into the seat, reinforcing the clarity of the overall geometry. Construction is intentionally visible. Stainless steel Allen screws remain exposed, turning assembly into an aesthetic statement. The decision reflects a commitment to material honesty, where structure is neither concealed nor disguised.

Comfort is treated as an essential architectural dimension. Twelve centimetre cushions and high density foam ensure that the sculptural frame supports genuine rest. Although the prototype features a cotton polyester blend, the chair adapts easily to wool or premium leather, maintaining its formal clarity across different material expressions.

Sillon W ultimately positions itself as a connective element within contemporary interiors. In lobbies, galleries or domestic living spaces, it acts as a spatial hinge between minimal architecture and human occupation. Rather than becoming a static design icon, it proposes a living presence, one that balances precision with tactility and transforms a void into a place of encounter.

Design Credit

Architects: Oscar Wade / @owarquitecto
Photo: Mariana Achach / @achachfotografia