The design for Scylla clearly shows my interest in the Bauhaus philosophy: in clean lines, simple and straightforward form and construction, elegant but understated modern materials. In all my designs I reduce the form to the necessary minimum. The most important question for me is: how much form we can handle in our interiors.
For the composition of Scylla, I used the golden dimensions because they are ancient and timeless at the same time. The Greek architects used them 3000 years ago; saying: “Pan Metron Ariston”. (Every thing has his proper size.) The seat and the light bended back I caught in one continuous form.
I provided Scylla with a sleek tubular frame that runs right across the back and sturdy armrests. Some of the visible connections I created as graceful elements that give the chair a more gracious appearance, as is visible in the front view of the armrest. I work the design out in drawings first. When the drawings are complete, with any necessary changes, it is time to make a scale model of Scylla.
The making of the scale model was a real pleasure. After finishing the little model I looked at her for days to determine whether it had the correct proportions without any formal oddities. After painting her in a neutral color I decided to send her to her future home, Leolux.
I wrapped her in sliced Greek newspaper and packed her carefully in a shockproof cardboard box, ready to send.
I called the postman who arrived after some minutes on his noisy motorbike. He stopped in front of the house. I handed the parcel over to him with the little Scylla inside. He looked at the address while moving the box up and down to estimate the postage costs at 1000 Drachmas. Then he dropped the box in the leather bag hanging at the front of his motorbike and zoomed off.
I saw him racing downhill full speed in the direction of the harbour where he delivered my package just in time to the ferryboat that was sailing directly to Athens.
Back upstairs in the studio I heard the boat in the port saying “ Poooh.. Pooooh” announcing her departure. The echo of her strong horn reflected against the rocks and hills around the harbour. The Kimolos Express left her black smoke behind and some minutes later she disappeared on the horizon.
My thoughts were with the little model alone in a box on a big boat…..
When I arrived at Leolux one month later, the director told me that he been able to instantly recognize that the model was sent by me because of the Greek newspaper wrapping. He held my model like a treasure in his hands. “ We directly adopted her, “ he said, “She came here without name ! “ “ We call her Scylla! ”.
Her name comes from the Greek mythology.
The months afterwards I worked together with the team from Leolux to develop Scylla — nice moments I never forget!
I was surprised at how much love and energy, skills and know-how, the Leolux team contributed to Scylla’s growth and help reach the level of comfort and the look she deserves. I learned a lot from them.
You can meet Scylla at:
