The most import aspect of a chair is comfortability of the backrest. This chair below while looks beautiful looks like it would not be the most comfortable. In a lounge chair one is supposed to be able to lean back and well “lounge” comfortably. There is no support in the back and will leave you uncomfortable therefore disregarding the purpose of the chair.
Tola Lounge Chair
Although this chair seems to be uncomfortable. I believe for short-term seating, as in a lounge seat at a restaurant, this chair could work for short periods of time. The chair’s backing is built to provide minimal support but allows for rest at the mid back. I do not believe this chair could ever be used for an extended period, but the designer clearly was designed for appearance over function. Within Renaissance furniture, there began to be curving and bulging forms with an elaboration of ornamentation that could be seen with curved forms. This style of design during the Renaissance was to provide the space for the expression of power and wealth. Although the chairs designed during the Renaissance may not have found the most comfort, they could relate to art pieces and draw the human eye to their overall detail. Similar to the lounge chair here, in a luxury restaurant setting, this chair design would add ornamentation and detail to the space but would not necessarily be the most comfortable to be seated in.
I agree that the most important aspect of this chair is the backrest. It does have a very nice aesthetic feature to the chair, even if it was not the most comfortable. As furniture developed throughout history, the importance of comfort became increasingly more popular during the Baroque period, whereas the Renaissance did not value comfort as much as function and placement. It seems that in the modern movement, the importance of comfort decreased and the function or placement became more popular again. I think this chair lies somewhere in between, though it would not be a super comfortable chair for long periods, its aesthetic value is great. It is also very functional as a chair, just as chairs were in the Renaissance period. The purpose of this chair is not to work or study but more to sit while waiting for something or briefly conversing. For this purpose, I think the chair works well in its function and comfort levels as well as its aesthetic value in the modern world.
Comfortability of a chair I agree is super important, but arguably I believe that body engagement is more important. Having both would be, in my opinion, the perfect chair. It has been interesting to see in lecture how details and intention of integrating comfort into furniture started out being determined by the amount of padding and upholstery added to the structure. There was almost no thought to how your body might be affected by the slouching, or how your back arch might be more important than the extra padding added for your arm rests. Sure comfort is important, but you will end up dying from sitting so much if your chair doesn’t engage your body in a supportive and sustainable way.
While an aesthetic appeal is important a key factor in furniture design is comfort, specifically the backrest. While the chair resembles similar 18th century pieces, the ability to lounge for long periods of time is crucial in determining is a chair is a lounge chair. Designing with the concept of of form and function is important in creating a comfortable chair.