Tom Fereday's Cove Lounge Chair: A stylish ode to sustainability in design

In a striking fusion of sustainability and style, Australian designer Tom Fereday has unveiled his latest creation, the Cove Lounge chair, a testament to his commitment to environmental responsibility.

This innovative chair is not just a piece of furniture; it’s a celebration of the industrial aesthetic of recycled aluminium and a bold step towards a more sustainable future.

GALLERY  

Fereday’s inspiration for the Cove Lounge chair stemmed from a desire to reimagine the potential of recycled materials. The chair is crafted from repurposed aluminium sourced from the waste streams of Sydney’s machining industry, transforming discarded metal into a chic and eco-friendly seating solution. The aluminium undergoes a meticulous process of melting down and sand casting, where molten metal is poured into moulds lined with sand, giving each piece a unique, handcrafted touch.

“The Cove Lounge acts as a sculptural centrepiece to a space, working elegantly from any angle with the entire structure revealed as a design detail and not hidden,” Fereday continued. “It’s mirrored form is designed to reflect its environment, enhancing or contrasting both old and new environments.”

What sets the Cove Lounge chair apart is its distinctive design. The seat features side panels made from uninterrupted and highly polished metal, culminating in a striking protruding lip along the top edge. This intentional design choice not only adds to the chair’s visual appeal but also emphasizes the raw beauty of the recycled aluminium.

“The cast frames are mirror-polished to celebrate the natural beauty of aluminium and seamlessly joined by polished aluminium dowels that reveal and celebrate the entire structure of the Cove Lounge,” Fereday said.

The Cove Lounge chair goes beyond aesthetics, incorporating comfort with thick cushions upholstered in aniline leather. Fereday ensures that the leather is coloured with soluble dyes, allowing the natural texture to shine through. For those with a preference for different textures, the cushions can also be upholstered with textural wool fabrics upon request.

Fereday’s commitment to sustainability extends to the entire lifecycle of the furniture. To minimize its environmental impact, the Cove Lounge chair is transported flat-packed, reducing the carbon footprint associated with shipping. Assembly is a breeze, requiring only a single Allen key, a deliberate choice to enhance transport efficiency without compromising on the quality or design of the final product.

With the Cove Lounge chair, Tom Fereday has successfully bridged the gap between sustainability and sophistication, proving that recycled materials can be transformed into timeless pieces of design. This project serves as a beacon for the design and architecture industries, encouraging a shift towards more sustainable practices without sacrificing the aesthetic appeal that consumers crave.

Images by Sean Fennessey and Pier Carthew via Dezeen

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