Cane Time: Dedon and GamFratesi Create Fresh AIIR

With its light and transparent design, AIIR by GamFratesi reinterprets the classic shell chair for contemporary living. Dedon’s first collection to incorporate injection-moulded seating, AIIR is equally suited for use outdoors or in — and so lightweight it’s a breeze to move between the two.

Available in an armchair and side chair versions, both with tapered teak legs and optional seat and back cushions, the collection comes in an exclusive colour palette reflecting Nordic and Italian influences.

Inspiration
The designers drew inspiration from geometry and nature when conceiving AIIR. They invoke the image of a forest of birch trees, their trunks — tall, narrow, light — allowing the passage of the wind while creating a landscape that is rarefied yet defined.

The collection’s relation to nature is expressed not only in the distinctive vertical slits in the back of the chairs, which allow air and light to pass, but in the mix of earthy, airy colours.

Characteristics
From the semi-transparency of the seat back to the sleek curve of the armrest, AIIR is characterized by a sense of lightness and clarity. Crisp, careful lines give a graphic character to the design, while the curved seat offers remarkable comfort, even without the optional cushions. The overall effect is one of simplicity and a harmonious balance between solid and empty space.

The Challenge
For all its refinement, AIIR had to be sturdy enough to last a lifetime, indoors or out. Finding the perfect balance between lightness and strength required fresh thinking and a bold, creative collaboration between design and production. Frequent brainstorming and continuous experimentation eventually led to a new and innovative injection-mould opening that allowed for exceptionally precise, high-quality extractions.

Quotations
“We aimed to design an outdoor chair that could transcend the ‘barrier’ of the window and move indoors as well,” the designers explain. “In this way, we could create a continuous landscape between outside and inside.”

According to Sonja van der Hagen, DEDON’s Chief Creative Officer, “With AIIR Gam Fratesi have developed a very special collection — geometrical, charming and timeless. We are excited about the result of our cooperation and very much enjoyed to work with Stine and Enrico. They absolutely share our passion for detail and products that are spirited. We are looking forward to the launch of AIIR during the Salone Internazionale del Mobile.”

Designer Overview
GamFratesi studio was founded in 2006 by Danish architect Stine Gam and Italian architect Enrico Fratesi. While expanding on classic Danish furniture and craft traditions as well as classic Italian intellectual and conceptual traditions, the studio takes an experimental approach to materials and techniques. Their aim is to create furniture that illustrates the process by which it was created, reflecting the ongoing exploration of the boundaries between harmony and disharmony. GamFratesi have won numerous prestigious design awards, including International Young Designer of the Year (2013).