Tulip

A 360-degree swivel armchair

Tulip dates to 2000 and is by Jeffrey Bernett. The manufacturer describes a swivel armchair of remarkably flexible use, whose highlight is the proportion between its thickness and the intersections of straight lines and curves.

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

TU dimensions

The official TU drawing prints 80, 77 and 67 cm (axes not labelled on the drawing), with a further 44 cm on the side view.

Construction

A steel frame of tubular and profile sections carries cold-shaped foam padding, with a seat cushion upholstered in shaped polyurethane of different density. The swivel base-frame is aluminium sheet and extrusions, and the cover is fabric or leather.

Proportion, roundness and a reflecting disc

The highlight named on the product page is the balance between the armchair's thickness and the points where straight lines meet curves.

The manufacturer says the polished brushed aluminium supporting disc reflects part of the frame, which emphasises the roundness of the armchair.

Cuts in the backrest

Two cuts carved into the backrest and a soft seat cushion are described as what makes the chair cosy and comfortable.