Silla x.001 by xarquitectos
Valencia-based xarquitectos designs minimalist oak chair with brutalist forms
Architectural practice xarquitectos has crafted a geometric wooden chair that embodies brutalist forms while maintaining a natural warmth, designed initially for their own studio space in Valencia.
Named Silla x.001, the piece represents the studio's first venture into chair design, though partners Patricia Maldonado and Ernesto Correa have previously created bespoke furniture pieces for their architectural projects.
"The sensations generated in a space are created not only through the elements that shape it but also thanks to the elements within it," explain Maldonado and Correa. "Everything we see participates in our emotions and impressions."
The chair emerged from a practical need during the renovation of xarquitectos' meeting room, where they sought to complement an existing Mitis table from Punt Mobles and a custom stainless steel sideboard. Unable to find a suitable option on the market, the studio decided to create their own.
Working exclusively with a local Valencia artisan, the chair is crafted entirely from solid oak, deliberately avoiding upholstery or additional materials. The design employs straight-edge cuts that minimize material waste during manufacturing, with pieces joined through hidden tongue-and-groove connections.
"The object is composed of solid oak pieces with a natural tone, resulting in a chair with sober, elegant, and very bold forms," the architects explain. This approach yields what they describe as "an aesthetic, functional, efficient, and respectful product."
The studio approached the design with their characteristic holistic methodology, seeking to create a piece that would be both spacious and comfortable while reflecting values of robustness and timelessness – principles that guide their architectural work.
Through its minimalist yet warm geometry, Silla x.001 achieves a distinctive presence that can adapt to various spaces, its brutalist forms balanced by the natural touch of the wood.
While the chair was initially conceived for a specific space, its success has prompted xarquitectos to consider developing a broader furniture line. The studio plans to create an on-demand collection based on their custom pieces from recent years, marking a new direction in their practice.
Related Content
Lodes and Diesel Living unveil their latest collaboration - four lighting products: Magic Mushroom, Reglobe, Spring, and U.F.O. These pieces redefine industrial and minimalist aesthetics, showcasing the ingenuity and visual appeal of modern industrial design.
Lodes is launching its first collaboration with Ron Arad, the internationally renowned artist, architect and designer, known for his iconic industrial pieces that have won multiple awards and been exhibited in the world’s most prestigious institutions.
Lodes has renewed its collaboration with Norwegian architecture and design studio, Snøhetta, to expand the Volum collection.