Ego armchair, design by Alegre Design

When people think of a chair’s function, the typical response is that it is a piece of furniture for one to sit on. But as anyone who’s used a chair before (i.e. everyone in the world probably), the act of sitting is not a single action but a sequence of contortions. This is especially true on an uncomfortable chair, where one has to constantly adjust, cross their legs, try sitting up or slouching down, etc. to feel relaxed. This routine is what inspired the design of the EGO armchair, design by Alegre Design and manufactured by B&V, both based out of Valencia, Spain. Unlike a standard design, the EGO utilizes a single cupped armrest to encourage a user to sit how they please. The user can slouch and lie down as on a Chaise lounge, or sit upright against the chair’s back or rest their arm, whatever they are feeling would be most comfortable. The designers even had in mind how technology is affecting our lifestyles, as the form of the chair is considered for one who is using a tablet while sitting too. This kind of forward-thinking process is imperative to the future of contemporary design, as we need to step back from the Platonic ideals we’ve been conditioned to associate with forms and start to reflect on how to improve them to fit more complicated and considered functions. All of this deliberation shows in the final design of the EGO, but with a modern minimalism that puts the beauty of the chair before everything else. Though it may not act like a typical armchair, it doesn’t feel the need to call attention to this, and through its subtle architecture furthers the role of furniture in excelling at serving its function through well-thought-out forms.