Who knows, perhaps at some point 2015 will go down as the year in design history in which an especially large number of designers tried their hand at creating a lounge chair that is as versatile as possible. The one Edward Barber and Jay Osbergy have designed for Knoll International has an upright stance and plenty of spine, but also proves, particularly as regards the combination of frame and body, that it conceals plenty of surprising details. We asked Edward Barber how he himself rates the armchair and how he intends to address the question of which drinks best go with it.

Esther Schulze-Tsatsas: There are countless different lounge chairs. What did you find so exciting about the idea of designing one yourself?

Edward Barber: The aim was to design many lounge chairs in one. A chair that would suit many different environments using the same framework. By changing the upholstery depth and padding and by changing the arms from metal to fabric the chair can sit easily in a home setting or an office or hotel environment.

Your lounge chair is very down to earth. Is the reduced formal idiom your answer to the dogma that a lounge chair should not only be comfortable but should also look comfy, too?

Edward Barber: Even though the chair looks quite slim and sparse in certain guises, it is in fact very comfortable due to the sophisticated technology in the framework webbing and injection molded foam. To us comfort is not only signified by large cushions and meters of fabric, a good seat contour and seat angle are just as important.

What cocktail or long drink would best go with it?

Edward Barber: A Whiskey Sour

www.barberosgerby.com
www.knoll-int.com

Knoll Int. Showroom
Piazza Bertarelli 2
Milan

Salone Internazionale del Mobile
April 14-19, 2015
Milan, Rho trade-fair complex
Hall 20, booth C01/D02