Margou

Overview

Margou (2021) is Vincent Van Duysen's armchair from the Molteni&C range. On the page it is a sculptural design that exemplifies a pursuit of aesthetic purity and turns a familiar seating style into a striking modern piece, with sensuous contours and careful proportions.

Image source: Molteni&C — Margou · © Molteni&C and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research. · View official product page ↗ · Image use & copyright policy

Construction

The datasheet gives the frame as stained solid beech (Fagus sylvatica) with plastic ferrules, in two stained wood finishes. Plywood frames carry the seat, with elastic straps and flexible cold-foamed polyurethane, and the back, with the same foam. Both are covered in bonded cotton-polyester fibre velveteen.

Specifications

• MPO1 armchair: 80 cm wide and 74 cm deep; the drawing's tallest vertical value is 72 cm, which is not labelled on the drawing
• Frame finishes: solid wood stained eucalyptus, solid wood stained black oak

Structure and upholstery in dialogue

The page describes Margou as a dialogue between structure and upholstery. The seat and backrest are shaped to balance ergonomics with aesthetics, and the page stresses the point where the supporting board meets the upholstered textile or leather surface, which it says is executed so that the composition reads as seamless.

Joints that are shown

A passage on the page, printed in Italian, says the structure is emphasised through the details of the joints, where the connection points are elegantly highlighted so that the armchair gives the impression of a single, unified form. According to the page, this also stresses the architecture of the armchair and keeps its structure balanced.

Image source: Molteni&C — Margou · © Molteni&C and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research. · View official product page ↗ · Image use & copyright policy