Second Sitters vs. SCP at the Barbican

Three identical chair frames, three upholsterers

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The Project​

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The Second Sitters led project was an experiment in freeform upholstery putting the upholsterer at the forefront of the design process.

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The original ‘vs’ project was sponsored by SCP and Coakley & Cox Ltd as part of the Second Sitters exhibition Upholstery: Evolution to Revolution at the Geffrye Museum, and took place live during London Craft Week 2017.

 

The Frame

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Balzac - designed by Matthew Hilton for SCP in the early 90’s, the Balzac is the modern take on a classic club chair and features in Taschen's 1000 chairs, a compendium of some of the most iconic chairs from 1800’s to the present day.

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The Three Upholsterers

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Steve - Coakley & Cox craftsman Steve upholstered to Matthew Hilton’s design using their usual and sustainable production methods.

 

Jude -  Bastard Beeralu Balzac.  A prototype of an experimental process developed during a two day residency at the Tandemize Beeralu Cafe. Upholstered using a bastardised version of beeralu, a Sri Lankan lace-making technique, and uses only waste materials from the workshop and constructed without the use of any glues.

Hannah - Big Ball Balzac. The antithesis to the tight confines and rigid form of the leather club chair - but no less comfortable. The oversized feather filled ball breaks through the Balzac frame

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SCP - is a London based manufacturer of contemporary furniture, accessories, lighting and textiles, guided by the idea that design can transform the world around us.  

Coakley & Cox ltd - SCP’s dedicated upholstery factory.

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Second Sitters  - Hannah Stanton and Jude Dennis, both practising upholsterers who come together to promote independent UK and international upholsterers through publications, exhibitions, collaborative working and education days.