Designed by Nick Allen
Prototype in house
Production finally out-sourced to Woodberrys
Instigated and designed in house by Nick Allen, 'Studio Collection' was aimed to be volume produced.
The 'range' comprised eventually of 2 chairs. stool, extending table, occasional tables and coffee table made from CNC turned components with coloured
veneered surfaces. The chairs came variously with a metal cross over back or upholstered with upholstered shaped plywood formed seat.
These pieces sold through many outlets including Liberty's and Con ran stores in London and Paris.
The foundation piece - A Stool - was purchased for the V&A permanent collection with drawings going to the British Museum.
N.G.Chair
Designer Nick Allen
Manufacturer Various
This chair was designed as part of a short listed (to 2) submission for Wardens chairs and public benches for the Sainsbury wing of the National Gallery designed by Robert Venturi.
Whilst Martin Greirson was awarded the commission (having produced an actual chair for the final stage in the competition) Nick Allen's studio went on to produce approximately 50 pieces. The N.G.Chair sold privately as a desk chair and to collectors.
The design taking its lead from the classical revival facade of the National Gallery, juxtaposed to the 2D cut out post modernist hallmark of Robert Venturi at the time.
The wardens chair brief: to create a chair which would allow wardens to sit comfortably and not be restricted in movement. Allen said "I saw the chair as being a prop for the wardens, allowing them to adopt various poses".
Full size working drawing for N.G.Chair
Westminster Cathedral Chair
Rosewood with inlay and gold leaf
Designed by Nick Allen
Made by Gerald Hannam
Nick Allen was selected to design and produce a chair to commemorate HRH Queen Elizabeth II visit on 30th November 1995, St Andrews Feast Day.
This was the major focus in a year of celebrations to mark the centenary of the Cathedral's construction (architect John F Bentley)
Nicks brief was to create 'a chair' not a throne, which would allow the congregation to 'see' the Queen. The chair also had to celebrate the occasion as well as find a home within the Cathedral thereafter.
A committee headed up by Father Tim Dean steered the commission for the Cathedral, which was finally signed off by Cardinal Basil Hume (who kept the chair in his lodge for quite a while after!)
As a result, there are obvious references to Bentley's passion for Byzantine revival motif but more subtly perhaps to mark the occasion the cross stretcher (St Andrews) and the St Georges cross is in the back of the chair, with the splats cut so that the negative space forms a repeat image of the Byzantine cross hung above the altar.
The chair now resides in St George's Chapel and is brought out and used on most state occasions.
Hall Chair Guildmark no.168 (given an extended guild mark for an edition of 10 pairs)
In walnut with boxwood inlays and solid burr walnut details
Hall Chair
Detail
Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers certificate
London Chair Guild Mark no. 295 (in extended production). Designed by Nick Allen as part of a commission for Museum of London.
This has turned into a series of chairs with different front leg variations. Constructed mainly in either maple of English walnut.
London Chair
Detail
Chess Chairs - private commission
Guild Mark no. 280
Laminated sycamore with stained sycamore, walnut or sycamore frames and carved detail.
Chess Chairs
Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers certificate
Tub Chair
Produced in maple with laminated capping to laminated and veneered seat back, piped leather squab traditionally upholstered seat.
This chair revolves. (200mm Ø ring bearing with needle rollers)
Production of 5
