The Karekla-chair is a hybrid chair created from a series of neglected wooden shells. A simple adjustment of cutting the shell into segments made it into this one of a kind design, upcycling it and giving it a new life. When one decides to sit in the chair, the segments will succumb to the weight of the user and create a comfortable seating. After standing back up again the shell returns to it’s original shape. It's unusual and abstract appearance makes the user uncertain of it's primary function bringing a sort of comical twist to the whole concept.
Phebos Xenakis (1994), a young Belgian designer with Greek roots recently finished his Bachelor in Industrial Product Design. At a young age he decided to pursue a rather artistic career. In high school he studied architecture. By the time he was 21 he graduated as an Industrial Product Designer at Howest University. Still having the urge to learn more he recently finished a postgraduate involving Brand & Packaging design. Now he systematically explores the possibilities within the furniture and packaging design sector. Having a rather small portfolio he makes up for it with his extraordinary designs.
With 36 professional Bachelors and 15000 students in total, the Thomas More college is one of the biggest in the province of Antwerp, Belgium. The school has multiple courses with one of them being VOMO, a specialized year that focuses purely on furniture design.