Design Stories - The FRIGATE chair family
Plydesign aims to continuously redefine the concept of available design by balancing aesthetics, ergonomics, and serial production. Collaborating with talented Hungarian designers, the company experiments with challenging traditional methods while creating innovative, human-centred objects that enhance everyday well-being in a versatile way.
DESIGNER AND MANUFACTURER CREDO
While it may seem evident that furniture is designed for use, the global market is still flooded with products that do not prioritise durability and functionality. Market pressure and economies of scale fuel this phenomenon as companies strive to produce higher volumes at lower costs to maintain competitive pricing. To achieve this, they often cut costs by compromising material quality, reducing wages, and optimising production processes, ultimately diminishing the added value of the products. All of this is a direct consequence of profit maximisation and the rules of market competition.
The creation of the FRIGATE chair was driven by the goal of making the highest possible quality and ergonomics available to a broad audience. Designer András Kerékgyártó and Plydesign's founder, Tamás Babits, seek to position the FRIGATE chair as an alternative compared to the much more expensive ergonomic plywood seating available in the market. Their goal is to demonstrate that high-quality design can be both available and functional. The FRIGATE chair embodies contemporary design values through advanced manufacturing techniques, cutting-edge technologies such as 3D veneer integration, and a distinctive aesthetic.
This is why contract furniture was the ideal choice. It enabled the mass production of high-quality ergonomic chairs that meet European standards while providing premium comfort in community spaces, public buildings, offices, restaurants, and hotels. A wider audience can now experience its benefits by making exceptional design more affordable.
WHAT IS 3D VENEER?
The FRIGATE chair family features an innovative application of the
German company Danzer's 3D Veneer technology, making the unique benefits of this advanced material affordable to a broader audience.
The freely shaped, three-dimensional curved forms – uncommon in traditional plywood -
enhance comfort while preserving the natural warmth of wood.
The chair shell consists of two parts, allowing the expensive 3D veneer to be used only for the most critical ergonomic element – the backrest – while the seat can be produced using traditional moulded plywood technology. The curved backrest provides excellent lumbar support, with its upper edge gently bending outward. In contrast, the front edge of the seat arches downward to prevent pressure on the lower back and thighs.
By combining new and traitional technologies, the FRIGATE chair offers the same level of comfort and ergonomic quality as fully 3D veneer chairs already in the market while being significantly more competitively priced.
TOMORROW DEPENDS ON TODAY'S DECISIONS
Market competition often disadvantages manufacturers who
prioritise premium-quality materials and
fair working conditions. Due to the cost-efficiency of mass production-based business models, these high-quality products tend to enter the market at a higher price.
Our more than 35-year-old factory is located in the charming wine region of Somló Hill, Hungary, where experienced woodworking professionals combine
cutting-edge technology with expert craftsmanship to ensure impeccable quality.
At the same time, the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of responsible and conscious consumer behaviour. Excessive consumption and long, complex supply chains intensify environmental and social challenges. Prioritising locally manufactured products can help reduce environmental impact, strengthen regional economies, and contribute to developing a more sustainable economic model.
High-quality, durable products constitute aesthetic or ethical choices and economically sound decisions in the long run. While furniture made from premium materials under responsible manufacturing conditions, such as the FRIGATE chair, requires a higher initial investment, its longevity across generations ensures greater overall cost efficiency. Unlike disposable mass-produced items, these sustainable, premium-quality design pieces represent lasting value, reducing the financial and environmental burdens associated with frequent replacements.
WHAT DOES ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY QUALITY MEAN?
Our products are made from high-quality plywood, ensuring durability that lasts for generations. We source our materials exclusively from
FSC®-certified forests, guaranteeing the preservation of biodiversity and fair working conditions for local communities and employees.
Our fabric and leather upholstery come from world-leading brands such as
Camira,
Gabriel, and
Sørensen Leather, all of which hold
OEKO-TEX® and
EU Ecolabel certifications.
To protect both the environment and human health, we use
only water-based lacquer and adhesives, minimising the release of harmful substances into the air.
WHERE CAN YOU FIND THE FRIGATE CHAIRS?
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