Rolf Benz recently shared some captivating behind-the-scenes images from the development of the Rolf Benz 580 armchair. From the first sketch to the final prototype, it’s clear that Rolf Benz believes in attention to detail. Here’s the story of how the chair came into being:

2. Design of room, product and concept.
The office was founded 2001 by Claudia Kleine and Jörg
Kürschner, both with degrees in industrial engineering.
Formstelle is mainly focusing on design tasks in the fields
of interior design, product design and corporate identity. In
these processes they create individual products, products
for production series, interior rooms and buildings. The
design office supports all phases of a project: initial idea,
project realization and finalization. The interplay of room
and human being is in the focus of formstelles work.
Formstelle creates holistic concepts and leads targets of
their customers in an authentic, unique and spatial
dimension.
Furniture and product design is accompanied by extensive
researches and the experiment with the material.
A own model workshop allows during the design process
the technical analysis of the product and its details.
Formstelle develops innovative solutions for people and
brands with a high demand towards conceptual, technical
and design qualities.

3. ‘Origami’ is the art of paper folding. The crane figure of
Origami served as a formal leitmotif for the design process
of the ROLF BENZ 580.
According to the Japanese legend those who are folding
1,000 cranes getting a wish fulfilled by the gods

4. ‘Orinuno’ is the art of fabric folding.
It is the counterpart for the seam details in ROLF BENZ
580

5. Basic idea of the armchair 580 was to develop a not too
big armchair, which sets a strong design statement.
First Sketches

6. Starting from the sketches the first 1:1 models are being
created with cardboard and foam.
Here the interplay of people, room, design and comfort
can be checked out.
Model making

7. From the 2D sketches step-by-step 3D forms out of foams
are shaped.
The frame “unfolds”
Model making

8. The first 1:1 model with a wooden frame.
Construction of the base construction out of wood, to
support the upholstery.
Model making

9. The ‘Orinuno’ plays an important role in developing the
upholstery and designing the seam details of the ROLF
BENZ 580
Seam details

10. The space between seat and backrest needs a movement
joint. This joint is visible in the design of the RB 580. Thus
formstelle has created a detail which incorporates the
technically needed flexibility.
With this folded seam the upholstered surface gets
structured in zones. This creates a casual seam line with a
high comfort.
Seam details

11. The armrest is designed as a geometric continuation of
the RB 580 armchairs’ leg.
Armrest

12. The side view is created in one flow. Wood elements
appear ‘folded’, a profile that continually changes in its
own process; all according its design, static and
ergonomic demands.
Shooting model

13. The side view is created in one flow. Wood elements
appear ‘folded’, a profile that continually changes in its
own process; all according its design, static and
ergonomic demands.
Shooting model