CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – A new set of custom chairs feature laser-cut designs of any desired city.
The Urban Fabric Series, from Galante Architecture Studio, is a new line of aluminum and bentwood chairs featuring four layers of cut-out maps representing the evolution and history of any desired city. Designs are layered on top of each other on the seats, backs, frames and legs, and ascend from older snapshots of the city on bottom to more recent snapshots on top.
“Every city, any location within those cities, and all its layered histories has the potential to be found and embedded within each chair,” said Ted Galante, founder of Galante Architecture Studio. “We offer a place to sip coffee in the garden or in the privacy of your home, while acknowledging thousands of years of history simply by sitting down.”
The ordering process begins with an initial consultation. Clients will discuss with the studio the materials to use, construction specifications, finish options and, of course, the city and subject of the narrative.
“What will this design have to say? How is the timeline significant to your story? These questions are part of the conversation that begins when you connect with us for a consultation,” said Galante.
After the consultation, designs are developed through CAD software using cartography records and historical maps. When designs are approved, the manufacturing process begins at the Galante studio in Cambridge, Mass. If wood was a selected material, it’ll be laser cut. If it’s metal, it’ll be cut using a high-pressure waterjet running on CNC software. Maps and elemental framing are crafted by hand.
“Any city, any place, any period of time within the world’s accessible cartography records: Together we design your bespoke piece of furniture,” said Galante. “It’s Art Deco crafted with your specifications to produce beautiful and functional furniture of depth.”
A first round of prototypes launched this year at the ICFF/Wanted Design Launchpad competitive designer showcase in New York City. Cities showcased were Barcelona, Berlin, Cambridge, Chicago, New York, Tokyo and Venice.
