Students at the University of Arts in Poznań, Tomasz Agacinski and Monika Kazmierska, in cooperation with Complet Chmielewscy, created the Brick furniture system. Inspired by children's building blocks and Rubik's cube, the project was recognized and awarded in this year's edition of the 2021 Furniture Diamond competition.
The modular, eco-friendly Brick furniture set was designed in harmony and with respect for the environment. UAP students from the Department of Architecture and Design used natural plywood, raw wood and recycled fabrics for its production. The design is characterized by a simple form that stimulates the user's creativity and allows any modification and adjustment to the space.
presentation of the Brick furniture set
© Complet Furniture
one model, many possibilities
Brick like blocks can be built into various arrangements, color compositions and functionalities. The basic configurations of the furniture are an armchair, a sofa and a corner sofa. The main fixed part of the design is a wooden base - a board with beech wood legs, which is supplemented with upholstered seat elements, armrests, backrests and wooden shelves. The principle of attachment is very simple - in the wooden base there are round holes, into which cylindrical pins screwed in from the bottom of each element fit perfectly. The regular arrangement of the holes and the symmetry of the modules makes one element fit into any place. The lightweight mobile elements are of such dimensions and proportions that they are handy and allow a considerable number of layouts and combinations.
Brick is made of natural plywood, raw wood and recycled fabrics
© Tomasz Agacinski, Monika Kazmierska, Complet Chmielewscy
recycling and ecology
The details of the plywood baseconstruction and the shape of the legs, give the sofa a simple, graphic form. To make the furniture durable, the holes in the base are supplemented with metal elements that protect the wood from breaking, scratching and excessive abrasion. With this solution, the plane of the base becomes resistant to frequent rearrangements. The wood is protected with natural beeswax oil (Livos). The seat is formed by separately fixed "blocks", upholstered with colorful fabric. The upholstery was sewn from "Terra" fabric from Lech Fabrics. This material is produced from PET bottles. Depending on the size of the base, the furniture will work well in both public spaces - a waiting room or shopping mall, as well as in private spaces.
One of the basic configurations is an armchair
© Tomasz Agacinski, Monika Kazmierska, Complet Chmielewscy
Dobrawa Bies: How did the idea for the armchair project come about?
Tomasz Agacinski and Monika Kazmierska: Work on the project began during our apprenticeship. The main design idea started with Mr. Marcel Van De Kraats, the author of the prototype of the sofa with movable seat elements. Based on it, we set ourselves the task of creating a modular furniture system that would allow a large number of configurations and fit into the company's production standards.
Dobrawa Bies: What was your main inspiration?
Tomasz Agacinski and Monika Kazmierska: The main design inspiration was children's building blocks, which, by stimulating creativity, allow you to create your own forms. The transformativeness of the furniture became a priority for us. Public spaces have very different surfaces and functions from each other, so the furniture must adapt to them.
Dobrawa Bies: Who are the users?
Tomasz Agacinski and Monika Kazmierska: The user becomes anyone who comes into contact with the furniture. The simple principle of operation and pleasant ergonomics do not limit the group of users. When creating an object for both private and public spaces, it was important for us to reach different age groups.
The main design inspiration was blocks and Rubkia cube
© Tomasz Agaciński, Monika Kazmierska, Complet Chmielewscy
Dobrawa Bies: What were the design difficulties?
Tomasz Agacinski and Monika Kazmierska: The biggest difficulty was to design an assembly system that would work for different module sizes, while remaining resistant to daily use. Instinctive solutions often disrupted the original inspiration or significantly increased the cost of production. We were constantly looking for a balance between what, is durable and functional, while being relatively easy to manufacture.
Dobrawa Bies: What does winning the 2020 Furniture Diamond award give you?
Tomasz Agacinski and Monika Kazmierska: Winning the Furniture Diamond is, first of all, feedback for us that our approach to design can also prove itself and be appreciated in practice, outside the walls of the university. The award proves that companies such as Complet Chmielewscy, open to the innovative approach of students and ready to share their capabilities and knowledge with them, are able to create ambitious, out-of-the-box designs together with them.
Dobrawa Bies: Thank you for the interview and I wish you continued success.
