Chester
Amanda Levete
Chester, the edition piece, is a somewhat lateral interpretation of the classic Chesterfield sofa, using traditional upholstering techniques with springs, horsehair and a buttoned leather skin to create a soft, feminine form.
Chester, the production piece, can be used as both a chaise and a sofa. The form is a soft bean shape that has been smoothed and sculpted to emphasise reflections. Low slung and constructed in two parts, the sleek fibreglass base is in contrast to the upholstered cushion insert.
A recipient of the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Stirling Prize, one of the UK’s highest architectural honours, her recent commissions include the celebrated expansion of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and a 1.5 million square foot luxury shopping mall and hotel in Bangkok. Levete trained at the Architectural Association and worked for the British architect Richard Rogers before joining Future Systems as a partner in 1989, where she realised groundbreaking buildings including the Media Centre at Lord’s Cricket Ground and Selfridges department store in Birmingham. Amanda is a trustee of leading social innovation centre The Young Foundation and has served as a trustee of influential arts organisation Artangel for over a decade. She is a regular radio and TV broadcaster, writes for a number of publications, including the New Statesman and Prospect, and lectures worldwide.