Philippe Malouin was awarded a Design Guild Mark in 2018 for the Group collection, which he designed for retailer SCP.
The Group collection comprises an occasional upholstered chair, a compact sofa and a standard size sofa.
The design uses primary shapes in a concise way to form the base, back and seat.
We sat down with Philippe to find out more about the range.
What initially inspired you to make this product?
Originally it was for a brief for an interior project. The original Group Chair, Cocktail Chair, was designed to fit a small space. We needed to design a chair that would be very comfortable, and one that you would be able to get in and out of without having to move furniture around.
Can you explain the concept for Group?
The design of the chair was created with having a rotational base in mind. Everything about the chair is based on a perfect circle, all of the elements are grouped and fit inside the radius of one another.
How have you struck the balance between function and design with this product?
That is precisely how the design of the chair was created. Function.
Who does Group appeal to?
I would like to think that the design of this chair is rather timeless and speaks to most. It is difficult to pinpoint its potential era of creation. Which appeals to most, I believe.
How long did the design process take?
It took about six months to get the initial chair produced from initial sketch to produced final model.
What modifications did you make along the way?
Working in close relation with SCP was integral to the success of the Group Chair. We made initial 1:1 models in order to get the fit and comfort just right, adjusted all of the components until they were correct.
In what way do you think this design is different from anything else available on the market?
It is an upholstered armchair that swivels and takes very little floor space. There are not many like this on the market.
What was the most challenging aspect of the design?
There were no big challenges, but getting all of the components right took a long time.
For more information about Philippe Malouin, go to: www.philippemalouin.com.
