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Zene Dining Chair: Merging African Timber, Danish Modern Inspiration, and Masterful Coopering Techniques

The Zene dining chair, designed and crafted by John G Williams in Johannesburg, South Africa, has been recognized with the Iron A' Design Award 2018 in the Furniture Design category. Drawing inspiration from the natural beauty and grain of indigenous African timber, as well as the iconic forms of Danish Modern designers like Hans J Wegner, Zene stands out for its combination of aesthetic elegance, technical innovation, and enduring comfort. The chair's minimalist ash frame supports a seat and backrest crafted from a variety of hardwoods, each piece uniquely shaped using the ancient art of coopering-a method traditionally used in barrel-making.

Unlike conventional bentwood chairs, the Zene's curved seat and backrest are meticulously formed by joining and shaping solid hardwood segments, a process that required years of refinement and the development of custom workshop tools. The result is a chair that appears to float within its frame, offering both visual lightness and structural strength. The design was first conceptualized in 2007 and underwent a decade of prototyping and research, including studies of Danish Modern proportions and ergonomic experimentation, before the first set was completed in 2017.

Zene is designed for extended dining comfort, with dimensions tailored for both support and style: 515mm wide, 570mm deep, and 890mm high. The series' light ash frames provide cohesion, while the use of different local hardwoods for the seat and backrest introduces variety and relevance. The chair's innovative use of coopering techniques not only highlights the beauty of solid timber but also ensures lasting durability. This award-winning design exemplifies how traditional craftsmanship can be reimagined for contemporary living, blending African materials with Scandinavian-inspired lightness and modern functionality.

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