Don't you just love those "a-ha!" design moments? I refer to the times when you first witness a product that challenges all conventions - whether spatial, functional, or formal. We 3ringers like to think every product we cover is a gem, but that rare product that can change how we think about such mundane notions as "chair" or "sofa" is elusive indeed. Dispensing with further dallying then... here's Isu Design's Schema by Geoff Machen, a piece that puts forth the unusual proposition, what if the cushion punctured the frame?

Schema. Designed by Geoff Machen. Manufactured by Isu.

Like Bjorn Meier's Shift and Jessica Nebel's Rocking Cube, Schema re-defines how the elements of a piece interact to facilitate the apparently pedestrian act we call sitting. At Isu, they phrase it thus: "The form of the chairs challenges traditional proportions, with low profile solid hardwood frames complemented by tapered seat cushions which pierce the frame's linear form." As Isu suggests, Schema questions the relationship between negative and positive space, between cushion and seat, between framing components and upholstery, between functional and decorative elements. In the same vein, the piece juxtaposes design perspectives that are too often thought of as contrary-old world hard wood joinery and modern rigid foam upholstery. The overt nature of this juxtaposition makes Schema striking indeed, as it creates the overwhelming impression of something new or in flux-something that acknowledges typical forms while contradicting the same.

Though conceived of as a range of seating for restaurants and bars, Schema is certainly versatile enough to find its way into your home-Like DaeKyung Ahn’s OPINION and Raul Romeo’s Lolita Chair, its slim profile and emphasis on negative space make it a good choice for smaller rooms. But the bottom line is its arresting appearance. So if you're not sure what to make of it, but you find it intractably appealing all the same, it's probably working as intended.

Schema is available in Oak, Ash, or Beech and stained to client's specifications. See the Isu website for cushion color options.