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d e s i g n e d b y b a s s a m f e l l o w s 2 description BassamFellows found inspiration for its new chair concept in the philosophy of architect Eero Saarinen: he believed that the most timeless and elegant furniture was a structural total and, absent excess decoration, the design could be reduced to its essence, often resulting in sculpture. From there, designer Craig Bassam pursued the clamshell shape for its purity of form and purpose. The shell is so honest and beautiful in its own right. At the same time, it provides strength and support, without the need for frames or braces, says the designer. Overall, I wanted to create a chair that meets prevailing notions of status and luxury, explains Bassam. And I wanted an extremely comfortable chair. At the same time, I hoped to avoid the big, overstuffed chairs that are so common. To achieve luxury and comfort without bulk, Clamshell employs an elegant structural shell made using advanced veneer technology. The hard exterior shell contrasts with a soft upholstered interior, which has no visible seam, welt or gap. The Clamshell portfolio includes selections for individual offices, conference rooms, collaboration spaces, lounge areas and residential settings. Clamshell Conference Chair: Highback, walnut shell and arms File: geiger_clamshell_group_.jpg
d e s i g n e d b y b a s s a m f e l l o w s 3 at a glance Three styles: Conference, Side, Lounge Two heights: Highback, Lowback Two arm variations: Armchair, Armless Metal base: Polished aluminum Upholstery: Proprietary, semi-aniline leathers; Geiger Textiles; com/col Veneer shells: Quarter-cut ash, Quarter-cut walnut, Flat-cut walnut Wood solids (arms; wood-base Lounge Chair): Ash, Walnut Complete tonal range of Geiger s exclusive low-sheen and matte finishes greenguard certified at the initial offer date conference swivel, five-star base on casters side four-star base on glides swivel return lounge highback swivel, four-star base on glides or lowback wood frame
d e s i g n e d b y b a s s a m f e l l o w s 4 functionality Clamshell is designed to achieve luxury and comfort without bulk. The shell upon which the chairs are based is the underpinning for both the chair s aesthetic and its function: it provides structural support without the use of frames or braces. Conference chairs offer an intuitive, user-adjustable knee-tilt, and the woodbase lounge is perfectly pitched for comfortable reclining. flexibility With three distinct design variations and two heights to address the full range of conference, side and lounge chair applications, Clamshell provides the correct combination of comfort and function for individual offices, conference rooms, collaboration spaces, lounge areas and residential settings. With outer shells in ash or walnut, plus a nearly unlimited array of upholstery options, Clamshell equips the designer with a complete seating vocabulary. quality/durability Clamshell chairs represent an efficient mix of natural wood veneers, commercialgrade metals, composite materials and fabrics to ensure a long, useful life in even highly demanding environments. Solid-wood bases are shaped from ash or walnut using state-of-the-art carving technology, which strictly maintains the chairs design integrity from chair to chair. All Geiger furniture carries a 12-year warranty. environmental sustainability Geiger facilities are powered entirely by Green-e certified renewable energy, making them carbon neutral in the use of electrical energy. Clamshell chairs will be greenguard certified at the initial offer date. aesthetics/style Clamshell is a re-imagining of the ways that prevailing ideas of status and luxury are expressed in office chairs. Clamshell s sculptural, subtly contoured outer shells trace nature-inspired shapes, clad in warm, rich veneer. The comfortable luxury of the upholstered lining creates a soft, fleshy counterpoint to the shell s rigorous outer form.
d e s i g n e d b y b a s s a m f e l l o w s 5 innovation The Clamshell s softly contoured shape is based on compound curves found in nature: curves that were impossible to replicate in wood until recent advances in veneer molding. This breakthrough allows for shaping veneers without cracking or breaking, while maintaining the veneer s structure and texture. The upholstery fills the shell in a unique process that creates no visible seam, welt or gap. contact Michael Matascik 404.836.7527 michael_matascik@geigerintl.com File: geiger_clamshell_b_.jpg
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