Diodon Solium: A Fusion of Art and Functionality

Fossiture's Award-Winning Design Marries Steampunk Aesthetics with Comfort

The Diodon Solium sofa is a part of Fossiture's project "Fossiture" (Fossilized furniture), a collection inspired by the remains of mysterious ancient creatures. The designers, using their wild imagination, reconstructed these creatures into a unique blend of animal shapes, machinery parts, and furniture. The result is a series of objects that are both artistic and useful, looking extraordinary from any angle.

What sets the Diodon Solium apart is its steampunk and animalistic-style design. The combination of plywood, solid wood, and steel worked perfectly to achieve the desired shape and volume. The sofa is not only visually appealing but also functional, offering a comfortable seating experience.

The sofa is crafted using 20mm plywood for the main construction, 04mm plywood for curved surfaces, 70mm wood, and 03mm steel for reinforcement and decoration. The soft parts are made of leather, latex, and polyurethane foam, all tied together using bolts and 04mm steel angles. The result is a sofa that measures 2200mm in width, 1000mm in depth, and 900mm in height.

The design process was not without its challenges. The designers wanted the sofa to have the look of a huge and heavy volume that appears to be floating above the floor surface. They also wanted it to translate this feeling of weightlessness to the user. The task was to avoid straight vertical supports, move the existing supports as close to the center of construction as possible, and not lose equilibrium. This was achieved by conducting a number of tests to find the right center of mass, including the user's weight.

Diodon Solium is designed as an art object with full furniture functionality. It can be used as an armchair, with an optional puff fastened to the back, or as a sofa for one person. The polished wood elements are used for reinforcement, decoration, and covering the construction joints. The design's unique properties and innovative construction have earned it the Silver A' Furniture Design Award in 2017, a prestigious accolade awarded to designs that showcase outstanding expertise and innovation.

In conclusion, the Diodon Solium by Fossiture is a remarkable blend of art and functionality. Its unique design, inspired by ancient creatures and machinery, is a testament to the innovative possibilities in furniture design. With its award-winning status, the Diodon Solium is set to inspire future designs that push the boundaries of creativity and functionality.