Cortesia: A Multifunctional Chair Inspired by the Natural Line of a Human Hair

An Inhabited Sculpture Designed by Pedro Quintela

Through careful rotation of its thoroughly curved shapes, the Cortesia chair reveals numerous options for resting surfaces and accessories. It was designed not only in the mathematical dimension but also in the existential dimension, aiming to engage users emotionally, subconsciously, and intellectually. Quintela Studio believes that design based on sincerity creates art, responding to specific questions with original solutions.

The structure of the Cortesia chair is made of fiberglass, finding a balance between strength and light weight. The final finishing aspect is a shining bright color, emphasizing the concave and convex surfaces and reflecting the chair's organic shape. The dimensions of the chair vary depending on the different positions it can be set in, allowing for a personalized and comfortable experience.

By simply rotating the chair, users can find different positions and ways to sit. The asymmetry of its design creates a variety of options, resulting in several chairs in one object. This innovative approach challenges traditional notions of furniture design and invites users to rethink their relationship with everyday objects.

The original drawings of the Cortesia chair were done by Pedro Quintela during a solitary journey around the world before he started practicing as an architect. After 15 years of practice, he had the opportunity to develop these sketches into a realized design. The submitted model is the chosen one developed over the last few months.

The design process for the Cortesia chair involved a deep concentration on capturing the uniqueness of a line of a hair and transforming it into a chair design. The hair was photographed, drawn on paper, and meticulously improved until the final lines were found. A computer-scaled model was then created and tested with human dimensions in all possible positions.

The creative challenge of the Cortesia chair was to focus on a single line of a human hair and design a chair around it. The development process involved finding the balance of the piece as a whole and conducting research on ergonomics and design history. This provocative project invites us to rethink the design approach as a free gesture of creative consciousness.

The Cortesia chair is not just a piece of furniture; it is an interpretation of everyday situations and values in modern society. With its unique design and multifunctionality, it offers users the opportunity to sit, chill out, lean, or even lay down, embracing their emotional moments and enhancing their overall experience.

Image Credits: All images illustrated by Tania Frajuca

Awards and Accolades: The Cortesia chair was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category in 2015. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding and creatively ingenious designs that contribute to quality of life improvements. The Cortesia chair showcases strong technical and creative skills, incorporating best practices in art, science, design, and technology.