We first met Tuan at TEXSTYLE more than a year ago when he was in search of recycled fabrics for his upcoming projects.
Just before the FIND Asia exhibition, we had a conversation with him about the Flippo Chair, which he will be showcasing as part of his new circular design initiative.
Below, Tuan shares his personal story behind the creation of the Flippe Chair:
“The Flippe Chair reflects my journey as a designer, intricately shaped by my upbringing in Saigon and my passion for sustainability. Growing up, I was highly fascinated by the resourcefulness of the Saigonese.
They seldom discarded anything; instead, they found new purposes for things that had long outgrown their intended use. This ingrained trait of maximizing resources deeply influenced my design philosophy, with the Flippe chair standing as a testament to that belief.”
“Industrial design taught me to always look into new possibilities, but most importantly how functionality can be combined with aesthetics without losing sight of sustainability. One such manifestation is the Flippo chair. It was important that the chair not only be aesthetically pleasing but also function well and, even more so, minimize production waste.
The big innovation behind the Flippo chair is actually in its very method of construction. Ordinarily, making a chair backrest and seat requires the use of a number of molds, after which large sections of plywood have to be cut out, and much of the usually expensive material is discarded.
I wanted to change that process. By perfecting the cutting process, I was able to use one curved plywood panel to create nearly all the chair parts from backrest to armrest to legs. This is not only a minimally wasteful design but also maximizes resource efficiency, which is at the core of my sustainable design approach.”
“This was made possible with the collaboration of the Tan Thanh Company factory situated in Tan Uyen, Binh Duong. Using a standard plywood mold commonly present in their facility, I applied my process to the chair without introducing unnecessary complications within the production process.
The outcome was a chair that was practical, aesthetically pleasing, and also environmentally friendly.
Apart from reducing waste, I have chosen materials that further support the sustainable focus of the chair. The upholstery is crafted with a fabric from TEXSTYLE’s Recycled Collection.
I selected a rust-colored fabric, inspired by the earthy tones of Saigon’s landscape, complemented by the finish of natural wood, reflecting simplicity and a connection with nature. These elements come together to make the chair feel organic and meaningful.”
“The Flippo chair is singular in its ability to show how we can reimagine conventional methods for innovative and responsible products. It melds considerate design, cultural influences, and sustainability into one piece, oozing a sense of timelessness.
This chair represents my commitment to furniture design that not only serves its utilitarian purpose but also contributes positively to environmental care.”
More insights from Tuan will follow as he continues to explore the themes of sustainability and innovative design.
Many of our recycled fabrics are also included in our NO MOQ Collection. Contact us to receive our NO MOQ Catalogue.
