Less lifetime

Ercol is partnering design magazine Wallpaper for one of the major installations at the 2009 London Design Festival - a modern interpretation of the Chair Arch, to be given pride of place in the Central Courtyard of the V&A Museum in September 2009. In Victorian times towns would mark a particularly special occasion, such as the visit of a VIP, with an arch adorned with the town's main commodity. The arch would then form the centre of festivities. In 1877 High Wycombe, famous for its chair manufacturing, built a chair arch for the visit of Queen Victoria to Disraeli at his home, Hughenden Manor. The idear originated with the Town Council, who deputised it to one of their members, Walter Skull, to oragnise through the Chair Manufacturers Association. Just over fifty years later his company, Walter Skull & Son, would become part of Ercol. Later arches were erected for the visit of Queen Elizabeth in 1962 and for the Millenium. The Ercol-Wallpaper arch will though be dramatically different. Designed by Martino Gamper, it will comprise two overlapping spans, all of the same chair - Ercol's stacking chair.

Also as part of the London Design Festival Ercol have been invitied to take part in The Dock. Curated by renowned designer Tom Dixon, The Dock is described as "an emporium of creative talent." Situated at The Portabello Dock, the exhibition will be over 45,000 sq ft, spanning the Grand Union Canal.