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10-Unit System Chair

A black and white modular furniture system featuring small square and rectangular wood tables, chairs, and chair/table combo units from which various arrangements create a range of furniture pieces.

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  • A black and white modular furniture system featuring small square and rectangular wood tables, chairs, and chair/table combo units from which various arrangements create a range of furniture pieces.

Date:

2009

Artist:

Shigeru Ban (Japanese, born 1957)
Manufactured by Artek (Finnish, founded 1935)

About this artwork

Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has become recognized for the development of socially conscious projects through his innovative use of materials and unconventional approach to architecture and design. He is perhaps best known for developing modular papertube constructions used to swiftly and inexpensively erect temporary buildings that provide shelter and services to people who have been displaced by natural disasters. Ban has also applied his practice of modular design with recyclable materials to the design of consumer objects, as seen here in the 10-Unit System, manufactured by Artek. Similar to the paper tube constructions, Ban developed a system of parts—identical in form—that can be arranged in multiple configurations. In this piece a range of objects, including a chair, a table, and a bench, can be created through the simple L-shaped component made from a wood plastic composite. Through the use of hybrid construction methods and his intimate knowledge of materials, Ban created this furniture that is easy to assemble and disassemble, providing maximum flexibility for the user.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Architecture and Design

Artist

Shigeru Ban (Architect)

Title

10-Unit System Chair

Place

Japan (Artist's nationality:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

2009

Medium

UPM ProFi (recycled paper and plastic composite)

Credit Line

Funds provided by the Architecture & Design Society

Reference Number

2009.591

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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