V1-M Chair
Prize(s):
Honorable Mention 2026 PRODUCT DESIGN / Furniture & Lighting
Company Name:Heph Design
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Temitope Elshabazz
Design Team / Other designer(s):Damian Okafor
Other Contributor(s):Design Week Lagos, Julius Berger Nigeria
Manufacturer Name:Heph Design
Photo Credit: Temitope Elshabazz, Tomisin Makinde ( Renders )
Project Location:Lagos, Nigeria
Design Status:Commercialized
Video URL:View
Product Description:
The V1-M Chair’s design draws inspiration from royalty and resilience, evoking a sense of prestige through its bold structure and rich materials. With its clean geometric lines and the contrasting interplay of steel and refined marble, the chair is both a functional piece and a sculptural statement. This project showcases the innovative synergy between design and manufacturing, emphasizing local materials and craftsmanship to produce high-end, contemporary furniture. The V1-M Chair reflects a commitment to elevating Nigerian design on the global stage, combining traditional elements with modern techniques to push the boundaries of what is possible.
The V1-M Chair’s design draws inspiration from royalty and resilience, evoking a sense of prestige through its bold structure and rich materials. With its clean geometric lines and the contrasting interplay of steel and refined marble, the chair is both a functional piece and a sculptural statement. This project showcases the innovative synergy between design and manufacturing, emphasizing local materials and craftsmanship to produce high-end, contemporary furniture. The V1-M Chair reflects a commitment to elevating Nigerian design on the global stage, combining traditional elements with modern techniques to push the boundaries of what is possible.
Product Innovation / Specification:
The V1-M chair is designed to exude royalty, strength, and timeless class, this chair is crafted from exquisite marble and reinforced with a robust stainless steel framework. The marble is secured to the steel using screw rods and nuts. The steel not only supports the structure but also serves as the sitting surface, adding a touch of industrial elegance. An optional detachable cushion offers flexibility, allowing you to balance aesthetics with comfort as desired. The V1-M Chair is a bold exploration of raw materiality and structural engineering. The design is made as a flatpack for easy assembly and disassembly to counter the pressure of weights and also for flexible delivery. Materials & Finishing • Side Panels: High-quality emerald marble (also available in other marble finishes) • Seat & Backrest: Sturdy iron framework, providing a stronghold aesthetic • Fasteners: Industrial-grade exposed bolts, adding a raw, engineered feel Specifications • Dimensions: (H 27, W 22 , SEAT H 18, Depth 14 ) • Weight: Heavyweight due to marble and steel structure ( 45kg ) Finish Options: • Emerald green marble • Brown-veined marble
The V1-M chair is designed to exude royalty, strength, and timeless class, this chair is crafted from exquisite marble and reinforced with a robust stainless steel framework. The marble is secured to the steel using screw rods and nuts. The steel not only supports the structure but also serves as the sitting surface, adding a touch of industrial elegance. An optional detachable cushion offers flexibility, allowing you to balance aesthetics with comfort as desired. The V1-M Chair is a bold exploration of raw materiality and structural engineering. The design is made as a flatpack for easy assembly and disassembly to counter the pressure of weights and also for flexible delivery. Materials & Finishing • Side Panels: High-quality emerald marble (also available in other marble finishes) • Seat & Backrest: Sturdy iron framework, providing a stronghold aesthetic • Fasteners: Industrial-grade exposed bolts, adding a raw, engineered feel Specifications • Dimensions: (H 27, W 22 , SEAT H 18, Depth 14 ) • Weight: Heavyweight due to marble and steel structure ( 45kg ) Finish Options: • Emerald green marble • Brown-veined marble
Product Sustainability Approach:
The V1-M chair is designed around longevity, material honesty, and responsible production. It uses marble , metal, and optional soft elements, chosen for durability, repairability, and timeless relevance rather than trend-driven obsolescence. The chair is mechanically assembled using bolts and threaded rods instead of permanent adhesives, allowing for easy disassembly, repair, and part replacement over time. Marbles and metal components are sourced with an emphasis on minimizing waste, transforming materials often considered excess into a functional and refined object. The detachable cushion is optional, extending the chair’s usability across different contexts while reducing unnecessary material use when comfort layers are not required. By prioritizing structural clarity and modular construction, the V1-M chair is built to age well, be maintained, and remain in use for decades—reducing the environmental impact associated with frequent replacement. The ergonomics allow for the chair to be comfortable considering the nature of the material in use.
The V1-M chair is designed around longevity, material honesty, and responsible production. It uses marble , metal, and optional soft elements, chosen for durability, repairability, and timeless relevance rather than trend-driven obsolescence. The chair is mechanically assembled using bolts and threaded rods instead of permanent adhesives, allowing for easy disassembly, repair, and part replacement over time. Marbles and metal components are sourced with an emphasis on minimizing waste, transforming materials often considered excess into a functional and refined object. The detachable cushion is optional, extending the chair’s usability across different contexts while reducing unnecessary material use when comfort layers are not required. By prioritizing structural clarity and modular construction, the V1-M chair is built to age well, be maintained, and remain in use for decades—reducing the environmental impact associated with frequent replacement. The ergonomics allow for the chair to be comfortable considering the nature of the material in use.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Product:
The V1-M chair supports local craft and material economies by engaging regional stone workers and metal fabricators, reinforcing skill-based production rather than mass manufacturing. Its design is intentionally compatible with locally available tools and processes, enabling fabrication within regional workshops and encouraging knowledge transfer between artisans. By elevating commonly available materials such as stone / marble and metal into a contemporary design object, the chair challenges perceptions of value and promotes confidence in locally made products within the African design landscape. The project contributes to sustainable creative economies by creating work opportunities, strengthening artisanal networks, and positioning homestead production as globally relevant.
The V1-M chair supports local craft and material economies by engaging regional stone workers and metal fabricators, reinforcing skill-based production rather than mass manufacturing. Its design is intentionally compatible with locally available tools and processes, enabling fabrication within regional workshops and encouraging knowledge transfer between artisans. By elevating commonly available materials such as stone / marble and metal into a contemporary design object, the chair challenges perceptions of value and promotes confidence in locally made products within the African design landscape. The project contributes to sustainable creative economies by creating work opportunities, strengthening artisanal networks, and positioning homestead production as globally relevant.
Company Name:Heph Design
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Temitope Elshabazz
