FURNITURE DESIGN: The Almora armchair, 2014 design for B&B Italia

Almora wins the Wallpaper Design Awards 2015 (01.2015). 

The Almora armchair, designed by Doshi Levien, has been awarded the prestigious Wallpaper Design Awards 2015 in the "Best Executive Office" category. An important prize which recognizes the potential of Almora as best relaxation armchair for executive offices, even though it was created for domestic use. 

The Wallpaper Design Awards is the annual prize that Wallpaper, international leading magazine in the fields of architecture, design, fashion, lifestyle and travel, gives to people, places, products and projects which have distinguished themselves during the previous year and set the trends in the world. 

In the words of its designers: 

‘Almora’ Lounge chair embodies primal human needs to be warm, protected and sheltered but equally to be engaged with our surroundings. The idea of the chair comes from a vivid memory of arriving at night and waking up to the sudden breathtaking view of the snow capped Himalaya mountains at sunrise; of feeling the cold crystalline mountain air while wrapped in a soft hand woven cashmere blanket. Homes in the Himalaya are not centrally heated or hermetically sealed. So even if one is inside, there is always a connection with outdoors through the verandah or a sheltered courtyard. We imagined the ‘Almora’ to be this link, between our inner and outer world; our private and social self. 

More about the designers

Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien, the designers.
Milan - Portrait by Jamie Morgan

Doshi Levien is an internationally acclaimed design studio founded by designers Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien. Nipa grew up in India and studied design at the National Institute of Design, founded on the manifesto by Charles and Ray Eames. Jonathan trained in fine cabinet making followed by industrial design. They met at the Royal College of Art and have been working together for over 10 years in their London studio.

Nipa and Jonathan bring together many worlds in their work. Nipa’s approach is rooted in her plural upbringing and astute eye for visual culture. Jonathan’s approach is rooted in industrial precision, combined with the sensuality of a makers hand and deep understanding of materials. Working across disciplines and industries, Doshi Levien’s work celebrates the hybrid and explores the coming together of cultures, technology, industrial design and fine craftsmanship. They have created work for industry leaders Moroso, Kvadrat, B&B italia, Cappellini, Camper, Swarovski, Galerie Kreo, museums and cultural institutions.

Earlier I wrote two other blogs about Doshi Levien: one is about Fashion and Furniture: 
How fashionable can furniture be. The other one is planned for 25-03-2014 and will follow later as direct link.

Sources: B&B Italia/Wallpaper Design Awards 2015, 

Dezeen Magazine, B&B Italia and Doshi Levien