Header: John Bechtold, courtesy Josh Owen LLC
The 3PC lounge set for Lazzoni rethinks the traditional chaise lounge by stripping it down to its most basic parts. This set, which includes a chair and an ottoman, stands out because it uses only three legs for support. Built with a sturdy stainless steel tubular frame, the design features high-quality aniline leather slings that allow the person sitting to hang comfortably near the floor. To make the large shape of a typical lounge chair more manageable, it is split into three distinct parts: the back, the seat, and the footrest.
A minimalist leather lounge
What makes this piece particularly clever is how it fits together. Every element connects intuitively without the need for any screws or hardware. This minimalist approach means that when you take it apart, the entire object can pack almost flat into a small box, which makes it much easier to ship or store away when not in use. The first 100 chairs made are especially rare, as each one is signed and dated by the designer. Three of these early numbered pieces were even set aside for auction during NYCxDesign to give collectors a chance to own a bit of design history.
Behind the design: Josh Owen
Josh Owen is a highly respected figure in the industry, currently serving as the Vignelli Distinguished Professor of Design and the Director of the Vignelli Center for Design Studies at RIT. His career spans several decades, and his work is held in the permanent collections of major museums around the world, including the Centre Georges Pompidou in France and the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the US. Before his current roles, he headed the Industrial Design Department and continues to run his own design studio, Josh Owen LLC.
Owen’s approach is deeply shaped by his background in anthropology and art, which he studied at Cornell University before gaining a master’s degree in furniture design from the Rhode Island School of Design. He believes that a designer’s success is tied to how useful their work is to society. This year, his expertise is being put to use on a global stage as he joins the jury for the SIT Furniture Design Award. In this role, he helps select winners for a programme that celebrates international talent and innovation in everything from seating to interior equipment.
