The Wafer collection, created by Claesson Koivisto Rune for Matsuso T, combines light and dark-coloured wood in stripes.
The effect of the walnut and maple is both graphic and fun, like the familiar confectionery wafers you couldn’t stop eating as a kid. But it is also technically challenging to combine two types of wood. And, not least, to seamlessly morph round-section legs that meet flat planes. Finally, The stripe pattern has a different scale for each piece of the collection, fitting the size and geometry best.
The central theme of the Wafer collection is based upon combining a light-coloured wood with a dark-coloured wood. The three items; a chair, a petite shelf and a small side table, are characterized by the alternating of these two woods arranged to create a graphic, striped effect. The collection’s name, Wafer, refers both to the striped pattern effect as well as the ’wafer-thin’ outer edges found on each item. Of course, the name also conjures other familiar associations; such as confectionery. The collection showcases the fantastic manufacturing capabilities of Matsuso T, where handicraft and high-tech go hand in hand.
The Wafer chair has the broadest spaced stripes of the three items. Although the outer edges of the seat appear thin, the main section, or core, of the chair is much thicker. Made from solid wood, via combination of 3-D cutting and hand finishing, the chair is the ’prize’ of the collection. The seat is purposefully curved more generously than anything that can be achieved with normal wood veneer lamination and the striped effect accentuates this. Of course, the two woods selected must have suitably similar structural properties. The combination of walnut and maple can be seen in the photographs. The horizontally-striped chair looks very inviting and thanks to the short seat and curvatures the comfort is perfect.
The Wafer shelf has a more tightly striped pattern than the chair but has the other characteristics such as thin edges. Notice that the shelves proportionally reduce in size as they rise towards the top. The leg supports also have the radiused joint detail seen on the underside of the chair where the legs meet the seat. We have intentionally given the shelf a smaller proportion. It still works as a space-divider but rather as in ’low wall’ format as opposed to a higher, room dividing shelf. The petite size of the shelf broadens the number of situations where it can be used. It can be positioned against a wall but it works best as a freestanding object in a room as it has no obvious backside.
The Wafer side table has the most densely striped pattern of the collection. Small in its proportions, it can easily be picked up and moved to where needed. Working equally well next to a sofa as it would beside a bed.
