The Apo chair
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 PRODUCT DESIGN / Furniture & Lighting
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Athanasius Johnson
Design Team / Other designer(s):Athanasius Johnson
Manufacturer Name:Francis Assamoua, Joshua Ailegwu, Olawale-ojo Taiwo Ayomide, Athanasius Johnson.
Photo Credit:Tobi Oluwarotimi(Loba)
Project Location:Lagos
Design Status:Prototype
Product Description:
The Apo Chair is a sculptural seat that serves as a metaphor for how our diversity strengthens our bond. Its name, Apo, a Yoruba word meaning “we are many” reflects the chair’s central idea of interconnection. It is made from teak wood embracing a knotted textile form that marries comfort with symbolism. The woven upholstery, made from locally sourced fabrics and recycled padding, wraps around the structure like a communal embrace, suggesting the bonds that hold people together. Built with sustainably harvested timber and low-VOC finishes, the Apo Chair emphasizes durability, repairability, and ecological mindfulness. Beyond its physical structure, it stands as a gesture toward harmony between people, culture, and environment. In october 2025, the Apo Chair received the Fak’ugesi Award for Design, presented by the British Council, recognizing its contribution to contemporary African design innovation.
The Apo Chair is a sculptural seat that serves as a metaphor for how our diversity strengthens our bond. Its name, Apo, a Yoruba word meaning “we are many” reflects the chair’s central idea of interconnection. It is made from teak wood embracing a knotted textile form that marries comfort with symbolism. The woven upholstery, made from locally sourced fabrics and recycled padding, wraps around the structure like a communal embrace, suggesting the bonds that hold people together. Built with sustainably harvested timber and low-VOC finishes, the Apo Chair emphasizes durability, repairability, and ecological mindfulness. Beyond its physical structure, it stands as a gesture toward harmony between people, culture, and environment. In october 2025, the Apo Chair received the Fak’ugesi Award for Design, presented by the British Council, recognizing its contribution to contemporary African design innovation.
Product Innovation / Specification:
In crafting the The Apo Chair, we combined sculptural craftsmanship with engineering precision through two main innovations: A modular knotted seat system and a carved hardwood frame. Each fabric tube or yarn is hand-filled and tensioned around a concealed internal frame, creating a long and flexible surface that adapts to the user’s wants while maintaining form. The system distributes weight evenly and allows individual knots to be replaced or reconfigured without dismantling the chair. The structure is shaped from sustainably sourced Nigerian hardwood, precisely teak wood turned and hand-finished to achieve seamless curves that deliver both strength and comfort. Concealed joints and low-VOC oil finishes ensure a breathable surface that highlights the wood’s grain, durability and environmental safety. The Apo Chair merges local material intelligence, ergonomic structure, and sustainable detailing into a distinct piece of contemporary African design innovation.
In crafting the The Apo Chair, we combined sculptural craftsmanship with engineering precision through two main innovations: A modular knotted seat system and a carved hardwood frame. Each fabric tube or yarn is hand-filled and tensioned around a concealed internal frame, creating a long and flexible surface that adapts to the user’s wants while maintaining form. The system distributes weight evenly and allows individual knots to be replaced or reconfigured without dismantling the chair. The structure is shaped from sustainably sourced Nigerian hardwood, precisely teak wood turned and hand-finished to achieve seamless curves that deliver both strength and comfort. Concealed joints and low-VOC oil finishes ensure a breathable surface that highlights the wood’s grain, durability and environmental safety. The Apo Chair merges local material intelligence, ergonomic structure, and sustainable detailing into a distinct piece of contemporary African design innovation.
Product Sustainability Approach:
The Apo Chair is built on a circular design philosophy that prioritizes material longevity, local sourcing, and end-of-life recoverability. Its hardwood frame is crafted from sustainably harvested Nigerian timber, treated with low-VOC natural oils that preserve the wood’s integrity without harmful emissions. The seat uses recycled padding and handwoven Nigerian textiles such as Aso Oke, supporting traditional craft economies while minimizing waste from industrial upholstery. Each component is designed for disassembly. The knotted seat modules can be replaced or repaired individually, extending the chair’s lifespan and reducing material turnover. Local production reduces transportation emissions, while the use of renewable natural fibres ensures biodegradability. The Apo Chair carries sustainability not only in material choice but also in cultural continuity, valuing human craft as a renewable resource.
The Apo Chair is built on a circular design philosophy that prioritizes material longevity, local sourcing, and end-of-life recoverability. Its hardwood frame is crafted from sustainably harvested Nigerian timber, treated with low-VOC natural oils that preserve the wood’s integrity without harmful emissions. The seat uses recycled padding and handwoven Nigerian textiles such as Aso Oke, supporting traditional craft economies while minimizing waste from industrial upholstery. Each component is designed for disassembly. The knotted seat modules can be replaced or repaired individually, extending the chair’s lifespan and reducing material turnover. Local production reduces transportation emissions, while the use of renewable natural fibres ensures biodegradability. The Apo Chair carries sustainability not only in material choice but also in cultural continuity, valuing human craft as a renewable resource.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Product:
Locally, it supports Nigeria’s creative economy by sourcing materials and craftsmanship entirely from within the region. Woodturners, textile weavers, and upholsterers collaborate on each piece, preserving traditional skills while creating sustainable livelihoods. At Design Week Lagos 2025, the Apo Chair stood out for its powerful symbolism and tactile storytelling, resonating with audiences as a cultural and emotional expression of togetherness. Its recognition at the Fak’ugesi Awards for Design awarded by the british council and features in international platforms such as Interior Design Magazine and It’s Nice That have positioned it as a contemporary icon of African design, a piece that bridges local craftsmanship with global relevance, uniting people, culture, and innovation.
Locally, it supports Nigeria’s creative economy by sourcing materials and craftsmanship entirely from within the region. Woodturners, textile weavers, and upholsterers collaborate on each piece, preserving traditional skills while creating sustainable livelihoods. At Design Week Lagos 2025, the Apo Chair stood out for its powerful symbolism and tactile storytelling, resonating with audiences as a cultural and emotional expression of togetherness. Its recognition at the Fak’ugesi Awards for Design awarded by the british council and features in international platforms such as Interior Design Magazine and It’s Nice That have positioned it as a contemporary icon of African design, a piece that bridges local craftsmanship with global relevance, uniting people, culture, and innovation.
