In the spirit of individual freedom, Argentinean design studio En Bruto ‘sails’ to Milan to present their new Cuenco chair. This light chair can be disassembled and easily transported to fit the user’s needs or taste, thus responding to the concept of individuality. En Bruto, started in 2009 by industrial designer Agustin Barrionuevo and architect Marcela Coppari, will also showcase their award-winning Eme chair.
The studio prides itself, rightfully so, on linking technique and local production, creating synergy between discipline, materials and practice. They see technique as both industrial and artisanal with the idea that human error is part of the process. Their studio is a melting pot for creative freedom.
The Cuenco chair, allotted the National Good Seating Design award, is simply one of their latest products having gone through the route of creative freedom. Its development came from the image of a leaf folding as it falls to the ground. The chair’s form follows that of the leaf and acts as a container adapting and molding itself to the curves of the human body. What sets it apart from the crowd is its simple assembly system. The designers used rolling, tube bending, turning and welding with an artisan finish to bring it to its current transparent mesh and smoothness. A removable cushion offers available comfort.
Argentina chair En Bruto
The studio’s industrial and artisanal combo sits behind the construction of the Eme chair, made of metal and wood. Similar to the Cuenco chair, the Eme can be easily dismantled thanks to its two main elements: a wooden shell for the seat and a metal wire structure for the legs. The shell is made environment-friendly from a standard sheet of pine plywood via CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) router, which results in the same silhouette and the best use of the material with minimal loss. As an Argentinean finalist in the Bienal Iberoamericana de Diseño in Madrid and awarded honorable mention in the Concurso Nacional de Diseño de muebles de Fedema Feria Internacional del mueble y la madera, the Eme adds a little more spice to the design world.
Argentina chair En Bruto
DESIGNER PORTRAITS
Agustín Barrionuevo entered the world of furniture design around 2002 at the Estudio Campoamor in Barcelona. He completed a degree in Industrial Design at the National University of Córdoba in 2004, focusing on equipment development. He is currently a professor of industrial design in the FAUD Faculty of Architecture, Urban Planning and Design], National University of Córdoba.
Argentina chair En Bruto
Marcela Coppari finished her architecture degree at the National University of Córdoba in 2004. She began working on experimental design at the UCC [Catholic University of Cordoba] Design Institute, focusing on research into, the innovation of and experimentation with materials. Masters in innovative processes design. Professor of Interior Design in the L. E. Spilimbergo School (Córdoba Provincial University).
Argentina chair En Bruto
PRIZES AND HONORS
The Eme chair was an Argentinean finalist in the Bienal Iberoamericana de Diseño, organized by the Central de Diseño y Dimad, Madrid, Spain. OctoberNovember 2014.
The Eme chair received honorable mention in the Concurso Nacional de Diseño de muebles de Fedema Feria Internacional del mueble y la madera, awarded by the Formosa Province Government, Argentina. October 2014
Basilio Uribe 2014 National Stimulus Design Prize, Juried by: Antonio Antonini, Alberto Bellucci, Ricardo Blanco and Matilde Marín, awarded by the Academia Nacional de Bellas Artes, Buenos Aires, Argentina. October 2014
The Cuenco and Eme chairs won the National Good Seating Design award of the Industry Ministry, Bs. As., Argentina. 2014
The Cuenco chair received Honorable Mention in the 5th Palermo University Furniture Competition awarded by Casablanca and Palermo University, Bs. As., Argentina. August 2012
The Cuenco chair earned Preselection in the 2011 International Design Salon Competition (Casa Brazil).
