Conversation Chairs Reinvented By Ian Stell

New York-based designer Ian Stell created an expandable bench that turns into two facing chairs when extended. Inspired by the “conversation chairs” that gained popularity in 18th century France, Stell constructed the seat from 800 pieces of maple wood intersected with brass pivots, allowing the “Loop” chair’s occupants the option of sitting close together or farther apart. In a recent interview, Stell said “the tête-à-tête, or conversation chair, is an interesting typology to explore in this way for a few reasons […] typically this rotated symmetrical seating configuration is intended to encourage social interaction, but it does so in a fixed manner.”

All images © courtesy of Ian Stell