The Zero-Thickness Chair Is Stronger Than You Might Think

Your brain isn’t glitching and you’re not in the middle of a game of Minecraft, we promise. We’re just introducing you to the Zero-Thickness Chair, designed by two Tbilisi-based design studios, XYZ Integrated Architecture, founded by architect Levan Lominashvili, and Sandro Lominashvili. This furniture’s joints appear nearly non-existent, and definitely too fragile to sit a human amount of weight upon. But no, it’s actually a very strong, functional chair made using steel, MDF, and unique joinery.

zero-thickness black framed chairs with pink and peach seats on white background

The Zero-Thickness Chair’s durability and strength was achieved by welding steel tubes in the position of zero thickness geometry, also known as non-manifold geometry. “Zero-thickness” refers to any edge shared by more than two faces. This occurs when a face or edge is extruded but remains in its original position – providing two identical edges that overlap one another.

We love how the strong black frames acts as an outline of the chair, while the pastel colored seat looks good enough to eat. It might not be gummy candy, but its thickness is a reassuring sign of its functionality and a welcome place to sit.

zero-thickness black framed chairs with pink and peach seats on white background

detail of zero-thickness black framed chair with pink seat

zero-thickness black framed chairs with pink and peach seats on white background

zero-thickness black framed chairs with pink and peach seats on white background

zero-thickness black framed chairs with pink and peach seats on white background

zero-thickness black framed chairs with pink and peach seats on white background

zero-thickness black framed chairs with pink and peach seats on white background

detail of zero-thickness black framed chair with pink seat

zero-thickness black framed chair with peach seat on white background

zero-thickness black framed chair with pink seat on white background

To learn more about the Zero-Thickness Chair, visit xyz.com.ge.

Photography by D. Sulakauri.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she’s likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.