Inspired by the calm strength of an elephant, Heechan Kim’s Loxo chair explores the space where sculpture and furniture meet. Combining a slender walnut frame with a generously upholstered cylindrical support, the sun lounger recently won the Best of Students award at this year’s WANTED Schools Report during ICFF. Developed while Kim was pursuing an MFA in Furniture Design at Savannah College of Art and Designthe project translates the reassuring qualities of an elephant into an object designed for everyday use.
The Loxo chair is on display at ICFF. Photo by Jenna Bascom Photography.
Named for Bevelledthe genus of African elephants, the chair does not so much imitate the animal’s form as evoke its soft character. A padded suspended panel conveys weight and softness, while the walnut frame provides a sophisticated counterpoint through clean lines and carefully considered curves.
The project arose out of Kim’s meeting with one of the Maurizio Cattelan’s elephant sculptures. Instead of recreating the animal, he became interested in translating its emotional qualities into furniture.
Photo courtesy of Heechan Kim
“I began to wonder if furniture could communicate the emotional connection and sense of security one might experience when interacting with a large, gentle animal like an elephant,” says Kim. “Instead of directly replicating the animal’s form, my aim was to express the comfort and sense of trust associated with its presence through visual and tactile experiences.”
This philosophy also reflects Kim’s course in furniture design. After earning a BFA in Sculpture, he found himself wanting to create works that extended beyond gallery walls and into everyday life.
SCAD graduate student Heechan Kim with his award-winning design. Jenna Bascom Photography.
“I became increasingly interested in moving beyond creating beautiful forms to thinking about how those forms could be used by people and affect their daily lives,” he says. “I was drawn to furniture design because it combines function and usability, while also allowing objects to reach and connect with a wider audience through production and distribution.”
While the Loxo’s large bracket immediately catches the eye, the support frame is equally considered. Echoing the gentle U-shaped curve created as the hanging cushion settles under its own weight, the walnut frame becomes an integral part of the composition rather than merely supporting it.
Show SCAD in ICFF’s Wanted section. Photo by Jenna Bascom Photography.
Like many student projects, the Loxo Chair evolved through iteration. Working on a shoestring budget, Kim prototyped the chair out of faux leather, while user testing revealed opportunities to improve cushion proportions and seating comfort. Those lessons have already informed the next version, which he hopes to produce in natural leather or other high-performance upholstery material.
For Kim, the chair’s sculptural presence only succeeds if it invites people to sit.
“I hope people experience a sense of visual unfamiliarity when they first encounter the chair, followed by a sense of familiarity and comfort once they sit in it,” he says. “I want it to provide a satisfying and comfortable experience when it’s actually used.”
A rendering of the Loxo chair. courtesy of Heechan Kim.
Receiving the Best of Students award marked an important milestone as Kim prepares to transition from graduate school to professional practice.
“It’s more than just getting a positive response to a single project,” he says. “It gave me confidence that I’m ready to move beyond college and take the next step in my career.”
Kim is now developing a collection of furniture that explores how furniture designed for mass production can retain a strong sculptural identity while remaining functional for everyday life. If the Loxo chair is any indication, this balance between artistic expression and utility will continue to define his work.
Photo courtesy of Heechan Kim
Learn more about Heechan Kim’s work at his website and up Instagram.
