Dr. Gearóid Ó Conchubhair/One Off Design
Challenge
Orchestral musicians often perform while engaged with complex instruments in tense performance conditions and in constrained seated postures, unnecessarily accepting that they must suffer strain and even injury for their art.
The challenge was to design a chair that enhanced performance and provided a real benefit to the wellbeing of the musician. This required an aesthetically well resolved design that could accommodate the five main instrument groupings of the seated members of the orchestra – violin, viola, cello, wood wind, brass wind – and be compatible with the practical handling and staging conditions of the auditorium.
Impact
The earó chair sets a new standard in seating for musicians and provides the optimum conditions for excellent performance. The design promotes a balanced seated posture, reducing the potential for injuries and so improving the wellbeing of the musician.
One Off is a creative, design driven company, concerned with the design and production of high quality furniture, lighting, and product. Its work consistently embodies its core ideas and the team can take products from the concept stage through to final production. One Off creates pieces that are efficient in their use of material, and sustainable from a design perspective.