Emma Seat
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 PRODUCT DESIGN / Furniture & Lighting
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Sahar Samir Elghoul
Project Location:Egypt , Cairo
Design Status:Concept
Product Description:
The Concept Egyptians are known for their genuine hospitality - a warmth that comes straight from the heart. It’s beautifully expressed in their saying: “ If the ground cannot hold you,we’ll lift you above our heads”. This phrase inspired the concept behind the “Emma Seat”. The Emma, a traditional head wrap worn in many Egyptian regions. symbolizes respect, generosity, and dignity.
The Concept Egyptians are known for their genuine hospitality - a warmth that comes straight from the heart. It’s beautifully expressed in their saying: “ If the ground cannot hold you,we’ll lift you above our heads”. This phrase inspired the concept behind the “Emma Seat”. The Emma, a traditional head wrap worn in many Egyptian regions. symbolizes respect, generosity, and dignity.
Product Innovation / Specification:
The chair reinterprets this cultural symbol into a form that welcomes and embraces whoever sits upon it - just as the Egyptian spirit embraces guests with kindness and honour. The seat offers peace, comfort, and a feeling of being valued- as if carried, with care, “above the head”.
The chair reinterprets this cultural symbol into a form that welcomes and embraces whoever sits upon it - just as the Egyptian spirit embraces guests with kindness and honour. The seat offers peace, comfort, and a feeling of being valued- as if carried, with care, “above the head”.
Product Sustainability Approach:
Material Selection The external shell of the chair is made from treated natural linen, chosen for its organic texture that har-monises with the cultural essence and background of the design. The fabric's flexibility allows for smooth sculpting and the creation of the distinctive folds that define the chairs form. In addition to it's tactile and aesthetic qualities, linen stands out for it's sustainability, being a renewable and biodegradable material that supports eco-conscious design values. For the inner filing, treated cotton was selected to ensure maximmuum comfort and softness. Cotton's natural breathability, moisture absorption, and durability mkae it an ideal choice for seating, providing a pleasent tactile experience while maintaning long term resilience. Together, these natural materials embody the warmth, generosity, and comfort that inspired the chair's concept. A design that welcomes and embraces much like the cultural spirit behind it.
Material Selection The external shell of the chair is made from treated natural linen, chosen for its organic texture that har-monises with the cultural essence and background of the design. The fabric's flexibility allows for smooth sculpting and the creation of the distinctive folds that define the chairs form. In addition to it's tactile and aesthetic qualities, linen stands out for it's sustainability, being a renewable and biodegradable material that supports eco-conscious design values. For the inner filing, treated cotton was selected to ensure maximmuum comfort and softness. Cotton's natural breathability, moisture absorption, and durability mkae it an ideal choice for seating, providing a pleasent tactile experience while maintaning long term resilience. Together, these natural materials embody the warmth, generosity, and comfort that inspired the chair's concept. A design that welcomes and embraces much like the cultural spirit behind it.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Product:
Egyptian people and Egyptian welcoming phrases
Egyptian people and Egyptian welcoming phrases
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Sahar Samir Elghoul
