Inspiration for the Beam Lounge Chair struck designer Marquel Williams as he stood in Pierre Koenig’s Case Study House No. 21, observing the raw, industrial elegance of I-beams.
“Seeing how those beams functioned in construction led me to explore their potential in furniture design,” he says. “The concept came to me intuitively, and I refined it through multiple iterations until it reached a point where it felt structurally sound, visually compelling, and aligned with my vision.”
While I-beams are traditionally steel, Marquel opted for aluminum, which retained the same industrial character but was significantly lighter. “This choice allowed for both durability and ease of movement, challenging the perception of weight in the piece,” he says.
To enhance the balance between presence and lightness, he incorporated perforated cutouts beneath the cushions. “Though the chair appears heavy, using aluminum drastically reduces its weight compared to steel. I can pick it up and move it with relative ease. The perforated cutouts beneath the cushions further contribute to weight reduction while enhancing the visual lightness of the design.”
Marquel says the aluminum structure gave the chair a strong architectural presence, while the leather cushions introduced a softer, more inviting element. “I aimed to strike a balance between both. Fortunately, the fabrication process was seamless. Working with Caliper for fabrication made execution smooth.”
A version of this article originally appeared in “Nice Chairs” in Sixtysix Issue 14.
