The concept revolves around creating a modern armchair with an innovative user interface that acts as a boundary-setting tool against the constant influx of digital messages. The piece serves as a physical manifestation of personal space and privacy within the home, allowing individuals to disconnect from digital distractions and reclaim moments of solitude and relaxation.
The armchair features a distinctive single-seater design, emerging from a circular shape to form an inviting, nest-like seating area that embodies comfort. Its arm and backrests wrap around the seat, soft cushions providing generous support, while the gently tilted seating area encourages users to recline and discover their most comfortable position. This thoughtful design invites users to fully immerse themselves in a state of relaxation, shielded from the distractions of the outside world. Continuing seamlessly from the top of the continuous arm and backrests is an asymmetrical fabric that mirrors the seat’s shape, resembling a collar. The asymmetrical portion of this continuous collar forms a “flap” that can be opened or closed. When closed, it enhances the piece’s circular and enveloping shape. This feature serves both a functional and symbolic purpose in the design. Its resemblance to a jacket collar evokes feelings of familiarity and protection, while the unique flap allows users to pull it over their head to protect themselves from the incoming messages, forming a cocoon-like structure for solitude. This gesture mirrors the comforting act of pulling a blanket over oneself, creating a cozy sanctuary where users can retreat from the outside world and find solace.
The Casulo Armchair is designed as a smart home object, constantly connected to the user’s smartphone through WiFi. Instead of adding to the notifications, it manages them. When he sits down, he can lean back, assured that he will be calmly notified if an important message arrives. Here’s how it works: as the user sits down, he can pull up the flap in an intuitive and fluid motion, creating a cocoon-like space. This action activates a specific “do not
disturb” mode on his smartphone, allowing only messages from pre-selected contacts to come through. Instead of loud noises and flashes, the color-changing eTextile inside the flap gently transitions from its default soft light blue to a warm shade of yellow, subtly notifying the user of a message from the person he wanted to be notified by.
disturb” mode on his smartphone, allowing only messages from pre-selected contacts to come through. Instead of loud noises and flashes, the color-changing eTextile inside the flap gently transitions from its default soft light blue to a warm shade of yellow, subtly notifying the user of a message from the person he wanted to be notified by.
Now, he can choose to react or simply continue enjoying his moment of solitude. Through this intuitive and analog mechanism of interacting with the digital world, we aim to provide the user with a sanctuary to relax and unwind, shielded from the chaos of the outside world. It’s a moment just for him, proactively setting boundaries within his own home. The soft glow of the color-changing fabric will provide just enough notification without interrupting the solitude of the moment.