Circle|Square

A highlight of every MPavilion edition, the chair commission brief presented to Davidov Architects was to design seating for MPavilion 10, that would both compliment and activate Tadao Ando’s unique design and choice of materiality. Other key considerations were that the seating be versatile, durable, weatherproof and lightweight to sustain the 4-month long season of varied daily programming. Additionally, the designers were asked to use sustainable materials and production practices where possible.

Davidov Architects’ design for the MPavilion Chair Commission drew inspiration from Tadao Ando’s emphasis on the geometry of circles and squares. By incorporating these strong platonic forms, the Circle|Square stool aims to integrate the overall concept of MPavilion 10, echoing its composition and form. The freedom of the brief allowed Davidov Architects to create a design response that resonated with the MPavilion 10 in a simple, effortless and reductive way. The Circle|Square stool is composed of off-the-shelf single board sizes, made from locally grown pine, reducing the embodied energy of each stool and ensuring waste minimisation in the fabrication process.

Tadao Ando’s carefully controlled use of light, restrained material palette and purity of form informed the approach in designing the Circle|Square stool. Davidov Architects gravitated towards a response that would pay homage to these practices, while clearly representing their own design approach. Davidov Architects hope the Circle|Square stool is seen to be simultaneously familiar and approachable to visitors, whilst also resonating with the architectural context and expression of Ando’s powerful MPavilion 10 design.