Pepe Lima's "Fly" Armchair: A Deconstructivist Masterpiece

Golden A' Design Award Winner Transforms Chaos into Harmony

The "Fly" armchair is not the result of material inspiration, but rather a study of deconstructivist compositions. Lima's objective was to create a product with seemingly disconnected elements that paradoxically result in a harmonious object. The focus was to use "organized chaos" with a concordance of radii between the edges that soften the discontinuity and convey the impression of an exploded object fitting together with precision and coherence.

What sets the "Fly" armchair apart from other designs is its illusorily disconnected parts, which appear "exploded" and provoke the observer's reflection: "how can everything be in its proper place without the aid of wooden crosspiece, screws, and supports?" The layers play and the paradoxical perception of a product with totally separate elements, but resulting in a harmonious whole, is also one of the attributes that makes "Fly" unique.

Despite its seemingly disconnected design, the "Fly" armchair boasts an elaborate solid wooden structure inside that accommodates the seat and backrest. This structure, covered with foam and fabric, serves as the main structure for the armchair, where the other parts and feet are screwed in a hidden and strategic way. The two pointed "under armrests" are attached to the armchair, which, besides being aesthetic, play an important function in the structuring and solidity of the armchair feet and arms.

Designed for indoor environments, the "Fly" armchair is not suitable for wet and outdoor environments. Direct sunlight should be avoided so as not to fade the plywood and fabric. In the case of synthetic leather, overheating can reduce its life cycle. The armchair measures L91 x W73 x H80 cm and is made from plywood and wood, adding a touch of modernity and warmth to any space.

The project started in September 2020 in São Bento do Sul, Brazil, and finished in March 2021. The main challenge in the Fly Armchair, was to develop methods to assemble all the parts of the product as invisibly and sturdy as possible. Despite these challenges, the Fly Armchair is a testament to Pepe Lima's innovative design approach and his ability to transform ordinary compositions into extraordinary pieces of furniture.