hay.comImage source: Doshi Levien
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Designer
Doshi Levien
Doshi Levien is a London-based design studio founded in 2000 by Nipa Doshi (born 1971) and Jonathan Levien (born 1972). HAY writes that Doshi grew up in India and studied at the National Institute of Design, while Levien, who is from…
Biography
Background
Doshi Levien is a London-based design studio founded in 2000 by Nipa Doshi (born 1971) and Jonathan Levien (born 1972). HAY writes that Doshi grew up in India and studied at the National Institute of Design, while Levien, who is from Scotland, trained in fine cabinet making followed by industrial design. They met while studying at the Royal College of Art.
Signature Style
HAY says the two bring complementary skills: Doshi's concern is visual culture, the look of the world and the materiality of things, whereas Levien's leans towards industrial precision and technique. B&B Italia describes the studio as renowned for its marriage of culture, technology, industrial design and fine craftsmanship, and for a confident relationship to colour, material and form.
Notable Works
- Quilton sofa system for HAY, launched in 2021, and its Lift variants
- Uchiwa lounge chair for HAY, captioned 2013 in HAY's Phaidon-book page
- Dapper lounge chair for HAY, which Levien describes as an idea for a plywood chair with two shells, an upholstered pad and a steel frame
- Dori textile collection for HAY
Recognition
In 2008 the studio received the Future Legends of Design award from the Cooper Hewitt National Museum of Design in New York. B&B Italia says its work is part of the permanent collection at MoMA and Cooper Hewitt.
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Collections
Products
Almora
A revolving armchair shaped as a quiet retreat for contemplation and reading.
Uchiwa Ottoman
Uchiwa footstool by Doshi Levien with a fully upholstered shell and oak base
Quilton Lift Ottoman
Quilton Lift Ottoman by Doshi Levien for HAY: quilted 105 cm square ottoman on wooden legs
Shaal
A welcoming sofa system balancing a supportive shell with deep cushions.
Lepal
A high-backed lounge chair balancing a wraparound outer shell with layered inner cushions.
Roopa
Sculptural low tables pairing matte frames with high-gloss tops.
Do-Maru
A 2016 small armchair built from superimposed padded shells and contrasting supports.
Bay
A sculptural outdoor chair shaped by enveloping double braiding and padded volumes.
Cari
An enveloping upholstered armchair that brings architectural structure and softness together.
Capo
Shell armchair with a metal base and co-injected resin shell, by Doshi Levien
Modernista Ottoman
Modernista ottoman by Doshi & Levien: a strictly rectangular design with buttoned light padding
Dapper Lounge Chair
Dapper by Doshi Levien for HAY: lounge chair with two moulded oak-veneered plywood shells
