interiorsandsources.com september2017 interiors+sources 83
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1. Carl Gustav Magnusson has had an illustrious career
in industrial design, including working for Charles and
Ray Eames, and a 30-year tenure at Knoll where he
retired as executive vice president of Design before
going on to start his own practice. 2. Taking inspiration
from luxury automobiles, Magnusson’s Lyss chair utilizes
soft curves and thoughtful use of materials. 3. Even the color
tone was taken into consideration to make the Lyss
chair easier on the eyes (and body). Although it can come
in a variety of colors and upholsteries, the standard default
is offered with an interior that is 20-percent gray. “It’s
been proven the eyes find it very neutral,” he noted. 4.
For the base—available as either four- or five-prongs
with a variety of options from caster to wood frame
to height adjustable—it was important that the piece
be relatively simple to cast and act interchangeably
with the body. 5. Magnusson starts every design with
a sketch by hand, rather than using drafting software
that can impact the final design. “It’s really dangerous
for people who are working in CAD because if they
draw a line from A to B, it looks perfect, but it doesn’t
mean anything…especially when they start to get into
really complex drawings,” he explained. “You’re in awe
of the presentation, but it’s devoid of the idea.” 6. For
Magnusson, the use of aluminum is important in that
it contains warmer tones than chrome or steel, and is
inspired by the details on luxury cars, such as Audi.
LEFT The simple Lyss chair is an exercise in the work
and consideration it takes to edit. By using both an
interior and exterior shell—with the exterior created in
a much higher durometer—seams have been almost
completely removed from the design.
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