Jasper Morrison creates lightweight cantilever plastic Evo-C chair for Vitra

Jasper Morrison and Vitra have created what they describe as the "first successful translation" of the classic cantilever chair in plastic, the Evo-C.

The Evo-C is made of recyclable polypropylene but otherwise resembles the silhouette and proportions of tubular steel cantilever chairs, which have no rear supporting legs.

According to Vitra, developments in gas injection moulding technology had made it possible to achieve the necessary strength for a cantilever chair with a minimal form while using plastic.

The Evo-C has the shape of a classic tubular steel cantilever chair but in plastic

"Throughout the decades, there have been substantial developments and iterations of the cantilever chair – from Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer's iconic tubular steel designs, to Alvar Aalto's wooden variations in the 1930s and the Panton Chair in 1967," said Vitra.

"Vitra has continued to pioneer the two-legged chair known to be one of the great inventions in the history of furniture design and Evo-C goes one step further, creating another groundbreaking new milestone within this chair typology," the brand continued.

"Thanks to today's gas injection moulding technology, plastic structures can achieve the proven strength and rigidity of cantilevered tubular steel constructions."

The chair was made possible due to advances in technology

Compared to the classic plastic cantilevered Panton chair, Evo-C has a much more minimal form with a slender tube base that snakes below the seat.

Vitra describes it as a "graceful" silhouette that "almost disappears behind the sitter" while having a sculptural presence when not in use.

The chair is also true to Morrison's aesthetic, with a shape determined purely by the need for stability and comfort, and no unnecessary ornamentation.

Vitra says the chair combines the springy feel of a tubular steel cantilever chair with the comfort of a shell seat, and that the extra flex afforded by the backrest actually enhances the sensation of bounce.

The chair combines the comfort of a shell seat with the springiness of a cantilever chair

Evo-C is available in a limited selection of colours – ivory, light mint, poppy red and graphite grey – all with a matt finish.

It is the latest in a long line of products Morrison has developed for Vitra, including the HAL chair, the Soft Modular sofa and Moca chair.

The chair was shortlisted in the seating design category of the 2021 Dezeen Awards. Other nominated products include the Puffy Lounge chair by Faye Toogood for Hem and Note Design Studio's Core and Remnant range, which plays with negative and positive space.

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