el ANIMALITO: A Chair with Character

Combining Emotion, Ergonomics, and Aesthetics

One day, designer Dagmara Oliwa set out to create a chair that could meet the needs of individuals in a modern world while using natural materials. The result? el ANIMALITO, a piece of furniture that combines emotion, ergonomics, and aesthetics to create a chair with character.

el ANIMALITO is not your average chair. It is a chair that can be tamed, allowing its owner to express their personality and style. With its contoured seat and back, based on ergonomic research by Grandjean, el ANIMALITO provides both comfort and uniqueness. The chair's shape strikes a balance between expression and clarity of forms, making it a visually appealing addition to any space.

What sets el ANIMALITO apart is its versatility. It can be used in both public and private interiors, making it a flexible choice for various settings. The chair's frame is made of solid beech wood, crafted using CNC 5-axis technology for precision and durability. The backrest, made of 3D bent veneer, adds a touch of elegance to the design.

Comfort was a key consideration in the design of el ANIMALITO. The seat is tilted back, allowing the user to find the most comfortable position. The backrest features two bearing areas - sacral and lumbar - that adjust to the curvature of the spine, providing optimal support. The deviation of the rear legs of the frame adds stability to the chair, ensuring a safe and secure seating experience.

The design process for el ANIMALITO was not without its challenges. Creating an ergonomic backrest that combined fluid lines and comfort required multiple iterations. Translating the computer modeling into the language of CNC technology was also a complex task. Additionally, bending the plywood backrest in four directions presented a technical hurdle. However, through perseverance and innovation, these challenges were overcome, resulting in a chair that seamlessly combines different materials and forms.

The el ANIMALITO project started in April 2014 and was completed in September 2015 in Wrocław. It was exhibited at Warsaw Build 2015 in Warsaw, where it garnered attention and acclaim. The chair's unique design and attention to detail earned it the Iron A' Design Award in 2016, recognizing its practicality, innovation, and fulfillment of professional and industrial requirements.

el ANIMALITO is more than just a chair. It is a statement piece that allows individuals to express their personality and style through furniture. With its emotional, ergonomic, and aesthetic qualities, el ANIMALITO is a chair that brings character and comfort to any space.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Dagmara Oliwa
Image Credits: Image #1 and 2: Photographer Kamil Czaja, 2015, Image #3: Dagmara Oliwa and 3D Visualiser Krzysztof Dydycz, 2015, Image #4 and 5: Photographer Łukasz Bera, 2016
Project Team Members: Dagmara Oliwa
Project Name: el ANIMALITO
Project Client: Dagmara Oliwa


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