9/20/2021
Open collaboration finale – Skandiform and Margot Barolo launch the Lola chair
From one experimental project to another. Skandiform and designer Margot Barolo have turned the traditional way of working together upside down. And the combination of digital meetings and practical developments has been open for everyone to follow.
Within the framework of The Kinship Method, five Swedish designers each developed their own chair and then built on each other’s ideas to create new versions. In a new collaboration, Skandiform has worked with Margot Barolo – the designer who initiated The Kinship Method – to develop one of the first generation chairs even further.
The project, which began during spring 2020, is now due to be launched in autumn 2021: Lola chair – the friend you can trust and lean on.
“The Lola of my childhood always dressed in a turban with red lips and high-heeled sandals to pick raspberries for our quickly thrown-together cream cake. Summers were followed by winters with a home filled with exciting furniture and deep scents from the big wide world around us. Lola was cool, sharp and funny – but at the same time dependable when times were tough,” says designer Margot Barolo, who is also a Programme Director and senior lecturer at Beckmans College of Design in Stockholm.
It has been possible to follow the Barolo Project – which during the pandemic became an entirely digital collaboration – through various channels and social media platforms. Over the course of the year, four prototypes were tested and refined before the finished version of Lola finally emerged. During construction, numerous adjustments were made to the metal frame to create the neatest and most durable chair possible. Work on sitting comfort involved continuously testing the seat and angles to achieve maximum comfort. While concentrating on the stitching and pleating added refinement. The comfortable character of Lola with thoughtful details and solid stitching was then introduced in her various guises at the Southern Sweden Design Days in May 2021.
“It has been a very exciting development process, made even more enjoyable by the fact we have been able to invite everyone who was interested to follow us throughout the entire journey. As the pandemic set limits, the collaboration also became completely digital – and I think that challenge has made a good chair even better,” says Johanna Cahné, Design and Marketing Manager at Skandiform.
The open collaboration can be found on Skandiforms Instagram stories, in the highlight “Barolo Project”. View the journey here!
5/25/2021
Barolo Project - Prototype 1, 2 & 3
Within the framework of The Kinship Method, five Swedish designers each developed their own chair and then built on each other’s ideas to create new versions. In a brand new collaboration, Skandiform is working with Margot Barolo – the designer who initiated The Kinship Method – on developing the first generation of chairs even further. To be launched Autumn 2021.
Follow the Barolo Project on Skandiform’s Instagram stories.
Prototype 1:
First metal frame to evaluate proportions and dimensions.
Prototype 2:
Metal frame with small adjustments. Dimensions and angles have been adjusted. Foam seat and backrest for testing seat angle and size.
Prototype 3:
Small adjustments on metal frame. Leg positioning has been adjusted, pipe ends are approved. Back and seat are now upholstered. Next step is to adjust width and depth of the seat and metal frame.
6/24/2020
Skandiform and Margot Barolo in open collaboration
From one experimental project to another. Now, Skandiform and designer Margot Barolo are turning the traditional way of working together upside down. And the development process will be open and free for anyone to follow.
Within the framework of The Kinship Method, five Swedish designers each developed their own chair and then built on each other’s ideas to create new versions. In a brand new collaboration, Skandiform will be working with Margot Barolo – the designer who initiated The Kinship Method – on developing the first generation of chairs even further. And it will be possible to follow The Barolo Project through various channels and on social media.
“It will be very exciting to see where the development process takes us – exciting too that we have the opportunity to invite everyone who is interested to follow our entire journey. Developing a chair that is already complete – on an open platform for everyone to see – is a very different way of working that I’m really looking forward to,” says Johanna Cahné, Design and Marketing Manager at Skandiform.
“The Kinship Method was started because I wanted to try a way of working that could mix experimentation with my own development as well as adding to the knowledge pool. My chair was produced in one month, and the time pressure of the project forced me to rely on my intuition and experience much more than usual. It gave the chair a clear DNA that I’m now happy to be able to work on developing further in collaboration with Skandiform,” says designer Margot Barolo, who is also a Programme Director and senior lecturer at Beckmans College of Design in Stockholm.
Follow the Barolo Project on Instagram stories.
For more information, please contact Johanna Cahné, Design & Marketing Manager:
About Skandiform
Skandiform is one of Scandinavia's leading suppliers of furniture for offices and inspirational public spaces. Since 1962 Skandiform has been designing furniture that brings personality and harmony to spaces where people meet. It is in Vinslöv, southern Sweden that Skandiform creates products characterised by sustainable design with good function and quality, highly valued by our customers.
