PD26 Winner

Category:	Chair Units
Location:       Moscow, Russia
Architects:     VFORM
Lead Designer:  Vladislav Bek-Bulatov
Manufacturer:   VFORM
Photographs:    Courtesy of the Architects

The Shell chair was created by architect and designer Vladislav Bek-Bulatov, co-founder of the VFORM architectural studio. Made using two 3D printers, this bionic-form chair is the result of a dialogue with space and technological experimentation. It appears to emerge from its surroundings, interacting with light and topography.

Inspired by natural structures, it resembles a seashell, whose smooth, organic geometry is shaped by nature itself. Uniting architecture, interior design, and the human being, the chair conveys a sense of depth and belonging.

The structure of the chair represents a fusion of phenomenological and technological approaches in design. It is an ongoing exploration of the human body and its interaction with the world through touch and the sensory experience of materiality and dematerialisation, corporeality and encapsulation. The chair’s mirrored, metallic surface reinforces the concept of duality and the union of two distinct approaches to form-making.

Its organic shape is a synthesis of digital technologies, composite materials, and topological optimisation. The chair’s structure is based on the principles of biomimicry: the external load-bearing frame and internal flexible structure resemble the exoskeleton of a crab, combining strength with material efficiency. The structure is load-optimised, with material present only where necessary, making the piece both light and durable. In terms of comfort, the Shell chair approaches the unique ergonomics of racing cars.

This chair is not merely a functional object, but an artistic experience that pushes the boundaries of what is technically possible. Its limited edition, technological sophistication, and unique form-making turn it into a symbol of status, intellectual design, and pioneering thought.