Lothar Windels' Timeless Innovation: The Joseph Felt Chair

Revolutionizing Seating Design with Strength of Felt and Stainless Steel

Lothar Windels, a renowned designer, has redefined the concept of seating with his innovative design, the Joseph Felt Chair. This award-winning design leverages the structural properties of felt, creating a unique, timeless piece of furniture.

The Joseph Felt Chair, a creation of Lothar Windels, is a testament to the power of innovative design. Inspired by the use of felt in seating objects, Windels has taken a step further by eliminating the need for epoxy resin or additional substructures, which were common in past designs. The strength of the material felt is the sole support for the occupant's weight, resulting in a design that is as memorable as it is timeless.

What sets the Joseph Felt Chair apart from conventional seating designs is its unique construction. Comprising six rolls of interwoven felt, pressed together with stainless steel fasteners, the chair showcases the structural properties of felt in a soft construction. It does away with the need for a cover or an inner frame, typical of conventional upholstered furniture. The outer appearance of the chair is the direct outcome of its integral construction, making it a standout piece in any setting.

The chair's realization is a blend of simplicity and sophistication. It is made of 100% wool felt, held together by stainless steel fasteners. The technical specifications of the design further highlight its uniqueness, with dimensions of Width 110 mm x Depth 900 mm x Height 800 mm.

The Joseph Felt Chair is a product of collaborative effort between Lothar Windels and his brother Hartmut. The project, which started as a thesis work in 2000 at the Royal College of Art, has since been revised for production and is now part of the permanent collection of the Vitra Design Museum. The Joseph Felt Chair product line was introduced at the IMM cologne in 2018, marking a significant milestone in the journey of this innovative design.

Lothar Windels' innovative design has not gone unnoticed in the design world. The Joseph Felt Chair was awarded the Golden A' Furniture Design Award in 2018, a prestigious recognition granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. These venerated products and bright ideas advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.

In conclusion, the Joseph Felt Chair by Lothar Windels is a shining example of how innovative design can transform ordinary materials into extraordinary pieces of furniture. It is a testament to the power of creativity and the endless possibilities that come with thinking outside the box.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Windels Lothar
Image Credits: Lothar Windels
Project Team Members: Hartmut and Lothar Windels (brothers)
Project Name: Joseph Felt Chair
Project Client: Windels Lothar


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