We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Eckhard Beger about their original and creative Armchair design work. Eckhard Beger is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original armchair works.
Eckhard Beger ("EB") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Cubus Armchair. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
EB : The armchair is inspired by minimalist creations from the Bauhaus period such as the F51 by Walter Gropius. I wanted to add a contemporaneous design element by slanting the armchairs structure while providing a comfortable horizontal seating position.
EB : The armchair is inspired by minimalist creations from the Bauhaus period such as the F51 by Walter Gropius. I wanted to add a contemporaneous design element by slanting the armchairs structure while providing a comfortable horizontal seating position.
EB : The design concept of the armchair lends itself to many variations. Thinking of the armchair, many variations are possible in terms of colors, materials or textures. Beyond the armchair and footrest, I am working on a stool, a sofa and a side table based on the same concept.
EB : I started the project in June 2020 and finished the design during the first quarter 2021.
EB : Designing an armchair had been a goal of mine for quite some time and I have been looking for ideas and concepts during that time. I considered different other concepts but rejected them, as they weren’t original and innovative enough. When the idea of the slanted cube emerged in my mind, it became clear very fast that I wanted to develop this project.
EB : I am currently planning the manufacturing of the armchair with a manufacturing partner. Cubus can be purchased through my company ArteNemus (contact: info@artenemus.com) or through selected decorative arts galleries.
EB : The design and its proportions were entirely done by myself. However, I discussed colors, materials and textures with potential customers and received some valuable ideas from there.
EB : Cubus is a very comfortable armchair and its design allows for a wide variety of materials and colours. The target customers are therefore residential customers for the armchair with the footrest as well as corporate customers for the armchair alone.
EB : The asymmetric appearance and its apparent instability are the primary design elements setting Cubus apart. First reactions for the design were a combination of surprise and interest with the most frequent question being: “where can I see it and try it out?”.
EB : The armchair’s design is based on two nested cubes. Based on the aforementioned, the name Cubus emerged naturally.
EB : After the conceptual idea for Cubus originated in my mind, I started using paper and pencil for its outline of the structure and the cushions.. The detailed proportions were determined with Rhino as a CAD system. Finally I used Blender to determine the choice of materials and colors.
EB : The most unique aspect of Cubus is the asymmetric slanted cubic structure with a horizontal seating position.
EB : I designed Black Cubus on my own. However, I requested input from potential customers regarding colours, materials and textures.
EB : Cubus is based on a traditional wood construction with cushions. There is no use of advanced technologies for its manufacturing.
EB : There was no specific use related analysis done for the armchair. However, the seating position corresponds to traditional armchairs with a height of 42cm.
EB : Given its asymmetric shape, the inner construction of the Cubus structure was given particular attention to allow for a structurally solid but light construction.
EB : I submit those designs I consider good to design competitions for three reasons. Firstly, it allows me to compare my designs to other designers’ creations. Secondly, winning an award and being in a catalogue is good public relations. And finally, it is a great personal satisfaction to win an award.
EB : Whereas prior designs of mine often were based on organic shapes, with inherent complexities regarding their manufacturing, I have evolved towards designs based on generic geometric shapes while striving to retain a conceptual originality.
