September 2005
Mike
and Maaike Introduce the Windowseat Lounge: Furniture as Sub-Architectural
Space
SAN FRANCISCO,
California—September 7, 2005—MIKE AND MAAIKE today
introduced the Windowseat Lounge, an upholstered lounge chair
that creates a window to the outside world. Designed for both
public and private spaces, the Windowseat Lounge is a comfortable
refuge from the hustle and bustle of lobbies, airports, or busy
home environments. The wrap-around design creates a room-within-a-room,
complete with its own unique view. A swiveling base provides
full control over the framed perspective, allowing you to pan
360 degrees to take in the environment or block it out.
Terms like
“walls” or “ceiling” usually refer to
architecture; by taking these architectural elements and applying
them to furniture, the Windowseat Lounge becomes a sub-architectural
space of its own.
Along with
this new sense of space comes the dynamic play between being
inside vs. outside as well as new social or asocial behavior
when the chair is introduced into public settings. When used
in multiples, the Windowseat Lounge opens up a wide range of
possibilities. By directing the chairs towards each other, people
can engage in a semi-private conversation. By directing the
chairs away from each other, strangers can create their own
individual space, ideal for reading, relaxing, or people-watching.
The smooth,
singular form is achieved by full upholstery over a foam-padded
rigid molded frame. The seat floats lightly upon a contrasting
steel base. The base’s swiveling post extends to the ground,
supporting most of the chair’s weight and allowing the
legs to appear thin and light.
Availability
The Windowseat
Lounge is the first in a series of conceptual furniture designed
by Mike and Maaike and is available for limited production runs
and custom commissions.
About MIKE
AND MAAIKE
Founded in 2005 by award-winning designers Maaike Evers and
Mike Simonian, MIKE AND MAAIKE is a resource for experimental
design, progressive ideas and unexpected solutions for products,
furniture and environments. Born, bred, and educated in the
Netherlands, Maaike Evers (pronounced My-kuh) brings a progressively
Dutch and uniquely female perspective to design. Originally
from Los Angeles, Mike Simonian combines an experimental approach
with a true California perspective, incorporating lifestyle,
critical thinking, and social/environmental justice as natural
elements of his work. After nearly ten years designing products
within leading design firms including Fitch, Lunar, and Astro
Studios, the couple formed Mike and Maaike to expand design
into more experimental territory.
Contact:
Maaike Evers
Mike and Maaike Inc.
(415) 831-1404
maaike@mikeandmaaike.com
www.mikeandmaaike.com
