Sitting comfortably: The new Barricane collection designed by Magnus Long for Morgan

Morgan is renowned for their high-end, sustainably crafted furniture, serving a global clientele with a design-led focus. Their integrated design and manufacturing process ensures that each piece is an original, sustainable creation.

Magnus Long, a designer known for blending functionality with aesthetic appeal. Since establishing his London studio in 2012, Magnus has gained acclaim for his engaging, practical designs that earned him the Jonathan Hindle Prize for Excellence in Design.

Magnus Long has designed ‘Barricane’ for Morgan, an ergonomic dining chair set to debut at the British Collection during Clerkenwell Design Week from May 21st to 23rd. This launch highlights Morgan’s dedication to sustainable practices and Magnus’ unique design philosophy.

Barricane chair by Magnus Long for Morgan. Image © Philip Vile

‘Barricane’ is a timber-framed chair with a rounded, caned backrest that contrasts the formality of the horizontal and vertical lines of the design’s frame when viewed from the front and back. Comfort was prioritised throughout the design process and the cane panel offers a contemporary aesthetic whilst providing ergonomic support. The upholstered seat cushion has a waterfall detail that softens the front edge which contributes to the comfort of the chair.

The design showcases a sculptural appearance with organic surfaces. The intricate weave pattern of the cane allows light to permeate through, illuminating the silhouette of the arm as it traverses the back of the chair with a distinct horizontal line. Magnus Long comments: “It was that simple motif that inspired the concept.”

As well as drawing attention to the detail and quality that underpins Morgan’s entire furniture collection, Long was particularly interested in working with timber and pushing Morgan’s machining capabilities.

Magnus Long states:

“As soon as you walk into the factory, you see how technical and precise it is. There are few companies working to this level of wood production in the UK, capable of producing such complex curves, and I wanted to push this technical excellence whilst embracing the craft and tradition of caning. It’s the combination of those two ambitions that made the project so exciting for me from the outset.”

Continuing Morgan’s tradition of naming its designs after inspiring locations, ‘Barricane’ pays homage to the secluded cove of Barricane beach in Devon, a place close to Long’s heart. Just as the chair’s frame ‘suspends’ the backrest, the unusually parallel cliff sides seemingly frame the sun setting over the Atlantic horizon, where the lines of the chair map onto a postcard of a Barricane sunset.

On the partnership, Magnus Long states: “There is plenty of design, technical and engineering talent in the brand, so ‘Barricane’ really was a project of genuine collaboration where you trust the people you are designing with. Alongside refining its ‘look’ we’ve thought about repairability, comfort, tactility and durability. It’s primarily designed for the contract market so finding the balance between delicate and durable has been imperative,” he continues.

Katerina Zachariades, Creative Director at Morgan, adds:

“We have enjoyed developing the ‘Barricane’ chairs with Magnus. It has been an interesting project in combining CNC machinery processes and hand-crafted cane finishing. The result offers a beautifully detailed chair that can still be produced in high volumes.”

‘Barricane’ is available in a range of timbers and finishes and is available as an armchair and side chair. The collection will be unveiled during Clerkenwell Design Week, 21st – 23rd May, on Stand B16 at the British Collection, Crypt on the Green, Clerkenwell Close, EC1R 0EA.

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