Seated on the chair designed by John Pawson for Passoni, I ask the architect why he decided to work on the design of a new chair, whose name is also a statement of intent. Tacta in name and in fact, made of solid bentwood, smooth and ‘velvety’ to the touch.
«If you ask an architect to do a chair, there are two answers, yes or no. I thought it’s such an impossible task, as I think everything has already been said about chairs, and there are so many perfect examples. But I also realized that even if a sort of near-perfect chair is already existing, in our work we need something fresh, something different as our perception of architecture also includes interiors and the things in the interior. And it’s incredibly important to do a chair as in the Western culture chairs are dominant pieces of furniture. So I said yes in the end, obviously, and it was a serious undertaking, a lot of work, but I’ve got them at home, that’s the biggest test».
The result of the intensive work of the studio and the company, which has specialised in seating and solid wood processing since its foundation, is a small-scale architecture of great precision and simple only in appearance. Two ash or oak wood profiles bend, briefly touching to create a support for the back and extending towards the ground to become legs and armrests, complemented by a wide wooden or fabric-covered seat. A ‘soft’ structure that seeks essentiality and elegance, physically and visually comfortable.
«”Tacta is the result of a close and sustained dialogue with Tommaso Passoni. The design is based on their skill in shaping wood and reflects the strength of their commitment and willingness to be flexible throughout the creative process,’ the architect continues.»
And as Tommaso Passoni, CEO of Passoni, confirms, «the desire to involve John stems from our shared love of nature, natural materials, quality and detail. We tried to provide the Pawson studio with all our support and know-how to be able to design and develop a seat with unique characteristics, capable of highlighting with simple clarity our manufacturing skills and passion for solid wood». Passion for wood is also the dominant element of the place where Tacta was presented by the architect and Passoni in recent weeks. The Listone Giordano Arena, with the 2019 design by Michele De Lucchi, confirms itself as a cosy and comfortable space where wood is a living and natural element, an agora for numerous meetings and debates.
