Winner: Design project of the year and seating design of the year. Jonas Forsman has designed Faneeri, a folding chair, for Nikari.

The Faneeri Folding Chair combines easy storage with comfort and minimal materials use.

The backrest is made of thin aircraft plywood, onto which the front and rear legs are attached.

When opened, this creates a strong, supporting curve, while when stored, it stays flat.

Faneeri's lightweight structure minimises material usage; its low weight also invites the user to interact with it, whether it means sitting, folding, or storing.

"This flexibility makes the chair adapt to different needs during its lifetime, making sure that this is a chair you want to keep," said Jonas Forsman.

Judges comments: “We were drawn to the restraint of this chair yet impressed by the highly-technical yet minimal use of materials that enables the folding chair’s backrest to morph from flat when stored to an elegant, curved and supportive design when opened. The timber construction achieves strength from its form but in the most delicate of ways.”

"This is an honest piece of furniture design: it is cleverly engineered and thoughtfully crafted and has achieved something different with an established typology. It’s timeless yet not boring, and pleasing for all ages. It is a product that doesn’t shout for your attention in an age of constant noise."

Studio: Jonas Forsman and Nikari
Project: Faneeri Folding Chair