Cirro: A Cantilevered Lounge Chair

Pushing the Boundaries of Plywood Design

Cirro was born out of Xander Bremer's fascination with the use of laminated plywood in furniture design, which was popularized by the iconic Eames Lounge Chair. Bremer wanted to explore new ways of utilizing this process and leverage modern technologies to create unexpected forms. While plywood is known for its strength in creating two-dimensional shapes, Bremer aimed to push the boundaries and create fully three-dimensional forms.

The Cirro lounge chair features a cantilevered seat and is made from custom-laminated cherry veneers. By bending the material beyond its formal limitations, Bremer was able to achieve ambitious volumes while still harnessing the material's lateral strength. The result is a chair that gently yields under the sitter's weight, creating a floating sensation.

The name "Cirro" is derived from a prefix for a family of wispy, high-altitude clouds, which perfectly captures the gentle and relaxing feeling of sitting in this chair. It is a testament to the chair's ability to provide a sense of tranquility and comfort.

What sets Cirro apart is the innovative plywood lamination process used in its creation. Bremer combined traditional male-female buck lamination methods with composite fabrication vacuum-molding techniques. This hybrid process allowed for greater creative freedom, enabling the creation of fluid contours and volumes. Additionally, the fabrication jig used in the process facilitated full-scale design iterations, ensuring the refinement of the chair's form.

With dimensions of 600mm x 600mm x 600mm and a plywood thickness of 12mm, Cirro is a compact and visually striking piece of furniture. Its elegant, clean lines make it a strong visual statement, while its thin contours maintain an intimate and comfortable sitting experience.

Cirro was designed to invite users with its extended form, gently guiding them into a relaxed sitting position. The cantilevered seat adjusts slightly as the user shifts their weight, accommodating different sitters and sitting positions. It is a chair that not only looks beautiful but also provides a comfortable and personalized experience.

The design process for Cirro began in April 2013 and was completed in June of the same year in Stanford, California. It was later exhibited at the Thomas Welton Art Gallery in April 2014, showcasing its innovative design and craftsmanship.

Xander Bremer's research for Cirro involved studying various furniture styles, from Shaker and Arts and Crafts to mass-produced chairs. The inspiration for Cirro came from the Eames Lounge Chair's groundbreaking use of plywood. Bremer delved into the manufacturing processes of plywood, exploring different bending and forming methods. This research led to the redesign of the manufacturing process for Cirro, enabling the bending of plywood around multiple axes.

The creation of Cirro presented numerous challenges that required a delicate balance of factors. From ergonomics and dimensions to visual appeal and structural strength, Bremer had to consider various parameters to achieve the final product. Extensive experimentation and refinement were necessary to find the right balance and integration of these factors.

Cirro's design and craftsmanship have been recognized with the Bronze A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category in 2015. This prestigious award acknowledges designs that demonstrate creativity, resourcefulness, and technical excellence, contributing to improvements in quality of life.

With its innovative design, unique use of materials, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of plywood furniture, Cirro is a testament to Xander Bremer's creativity and expertise. It is a chair that not only provides comfort but also adds a touch of sophistication and elegance to any space.