Peer Chair

worden | 2020

The Peer chair for Worden is a reinterpretation of a traditional library chair. Worden are a 70 year old company in the midst of a rebirth, and Peer is one of their first steps in this company’s new form.

Traditional library chairs had a 2 stage seating position, with the second position tilting back into a more reclined, reading position. The Peer re-interpretation reverses that and tilts forward into a more active position for support and comfort in a more active body position.

The form required to enable these 2 states results in a compelling geometry for the base, and this geometry served as a starting point for the evolution of the form of the chair.  Inspiration was also drawn from the relationship between positive and negative spaces in architecture, especially modern libraries and museums (ROM and AGO in Toronto, Calgary's Central Library, and the Vennesla Library in Norway).  The form is crisp and lightweight in scale.  The negative space created by the frame below the seat gives the impression that the chair is penetrating the ground when at rest.  A softening of the back leg edges ease the form lending it a softness, not just visually but also physically making it less prone to knocks and dings.

The chair frame is solid hardwood and the seat is moulded plywood. It is available with and without arms and the seat can be upholstered. It is also available with the 2 stage tilt.