Inspired by the hidden beauty found beneath the surface of the world around us, Strato explores layers as both structure and decoration.
Taking its name from the Italian word strato, meaning layer, the chair draws inspiration from geology, astronomy and the everyday world. The journey began with cutaway illustrations of planets, revealing the ordered bands within their interiors, before leading to a more unexpected source: the brightly coloured concentric layers inside gobstoppers and bubblegum.
Although worlds apart in scale, both share the same visual language of colour revealed gradually through successive layers. Those observations became the foundation for Strato.
Colour as Structure
Rather than applying colour to the surface, Strato reveals it from within. Precisely engineered bands of coloured DuPont™ Corian® are seamlessly inlaid throughout the chair, creating the illusion that the whole piece has been carved from a series of ever-decreasing coloured spheres.
As the viewer moves around the chair, flashes of colour appear and disappear, encouraging the eye to explore its flowing form from every angle. The effect is subtle yet playful, revealing the beauty of details hidden beneath the surface.
Engineering the Illusion
Although Strato appears effortless, its construction demanded exceptional precision. Every coloured band is individually inlaid, jointed and hand-finished so that it becomes an integral part of the structure rather than a decorative surface treatment.
The complexity lies in ensuring that each coloured layer flows continuously through the chair without interrupting its elegant silhouette. Strato brings engineering, craftsmanship and artistic vision together in a form that feels technically sophisticated while remaining visually simple.
A Sculptural Statement
Each Strato chair is handcrafted to order in England from DuPont™ Corian® and meticulously hand-finished to a refined semi-gloss sheen. Released in carefully curated colour combinations, every edition is individually numbered and marked with the Stuart Melrose studio logo. Bespoke colour palettes and finishes can also be commissioned.
Produced as a limited edition of just twelve, Strato sits between furniture and sculpture, celebrating colour, craftsmanship and the beauty discovered through layers.
Shortly after its launch, Strato was selected as the featured seating piece in the main exhibition space at the Ideal Home Show 2012. Positioned at the heart of the show’s central stage, it became a focal point for live presentations and introduced thousands of visitors to its sculptural form and innovative use of DuPont™ Corian®.
The exhibition was officially opened by HRH The Prince of Wales, now His Majesty King Charles III. During a private tour, His Majesty is understood to have sat in the chair: an unforgettable moment in the story of one of the studio’s most recognisable designs.
Specifications
Materials: DuPont™ Corian®.
Dimensions: Width: 100 cm. Height: 93 cm.
Edition: Limited edition of 12. Individually numbered. Handcrafted to order in England. Bespoke colour combinations available.
