Lounge chair · Cork and saddle leather

HOU CHAIR

A Seat for
a Quieter Life

01Inspiration in Eastern philosophy

Thick yet not heavy.
Thin yet not light.

Hou draws on Eastern philosophy to explore the balance between apparent opposites. Thickness holds a calm presence without visual heaviness. Thinness retains substance and strength.

Original brush sketch: a dense upright stroke meets a sweeping open curve — Original concept sketch

Balance through the coexistence of opposing qualities

The sketch brings these ideas together: a dense upright stroke meets a sweeping curve, while the open space between them holds the composition in balance.

Design intent

A grounded presence

An Eastern understanding of balance expressed through thickness and thinness, weight and lightness.

The substantial cork body gives Hou its visual weight. A thin leather curve opens the form and brings the seat into contact with the body.

The space between these materials is part of the design. It allows mass and lightness to coexist within one continuous profile.

02Form identity

A thin edge around
an open volume

A solid rear volume and a continuous front curve define the chair from different viewpoints. The seat extends forward and turns downward in one broad curve. Behind it, the cork body forms a backrest and a grounded base. The opening between them keeps the profile visually light.

Front perspective showing the continuous leather curve and open space beneath the seat — Front perspective

Rear perspective showing the grounded cork body and the thin leather seat edge — Rear perspective

Explore Hou
in 3D.

Turn the chair to explore its profile, material surfaces and layered seat.

Preview rendered from the interactive Hou Chair model

Select Explore 3D model to begin.

Rear side view highlighting the cork grain and saddle-leather edge

03Material dialogue

Cork.
Saddle leather.

Cork establishes the volume. Saddle leather defines the surface closest to the body.

Cork

The textured body gives the chair a substantial, grounded character.

Saddle leather

The warm, continuous surface emphasizes curvature and a thin visible edge.

04Sitting experience

A continuous
contact surface

An open seat intended for sitting, pausing and resting.

The curved saddle-leather seat is conceived to follow the body and offer a subtle sense of enclosure. The design relies on its fixed form and material response to support a quiet sitting experience.

View from above of the saddle-leather sitting surface and cork backrest

05Sustainability concept

A renewable beginning.

CORK

Cork oak woodland

A renewable material, considered use and the ambition to last.

Renewable by nature

Cork is harvested from bark without felling the tree. The bark regenerates between harvests. Hou places this renewable resource at the centre of its material concept.
Use material with purpose

The thin, self-supporting core aims to provide support with less bulk. Material use and strength will be balanced through prototype testing.
Design for a longer life

A lasting form and a careable leather surface guide the design. Responsible sourcing, repair options and end-of-life separation remain development goals.