Paris-based designers Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec have created a wooden armchair that combines a classic and simple aesthetic for Japanese design brand Koyori.

Designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec used plywood to create a three-dimensional, curved back and armrest. The material was chosen to provide an interesting aesthetic but also strength and structural stability.

First up are the soft flowing lines of their ‘Kawara’ armchair, a simple form inspired by the idea of being cocooned in a ‘soft shell’. Its three-dimensional curves were manufactured with extreme precision, using three different plywood moulds for the backrest, armrest and seats, above solid rounded wood legs.

‘We wanted to reveal the beauty of the wood, the beauty of the craftsmanship and the connection between them. We also wanted to showcase the extreme precision that can be found in Koyori and Japanese manufacturing. It’s a level of quality which we probably cannot find in Europe.’ — Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec