Interviews with Manish Maheshwari
Designer profileDesign Interview
10 May 2021 · Ori Accent Chair
The structure of a ruffled palm leaf is uniquely formed in nature. The broad circular leaf spanning up to 5ft in diameter originates from one thin branch. This plant leaf inspires the shape and form of the Ori chair. Origami technique became the yin yang fit for translating the ruffled palm leaf form into an ergonomically designed furniture piece. The chairs' colours are derived from the sunflower, making it a stark piece of art as well.
The research and conceptulisation for this design started during the lock down due to pandemic in 2020 and was finished in 3 months.
No, the design is not being produced or used by another company. we are producing the chair ourselves. but we are open to sell or lease the production rights to interested company or a studio.
Ori as the name suggest to the word Origami, the art to folding paper into 3d forms which is also the inspiration and method applied in designing this chair.
The precision cutting of slits required to hand fold the metal sheet easily and to achieve such forms the laser cutting technology is being used.
The Ori chair challenged our 7 years of experience working with metal since combining metal with origami techniques in itself is a challenge. Working on relieving pressure at the ridges by bringing in the right slit dimension and connecting the bridge between two slits to avoid sheer in metal proved strenuous. Break-through was about getting it right for an individual to bend manually by hands. It became essential to hit the sweet spot for the number of folds to get perfect ergonomics which finally came through trials and errors.
Designer Interview
27 April 2021
After completing my bachelor's in engineering, I developed a keen interest in design. So I did a brief design course to understand my curious interest in designing, which helped me choose designing as my career option. And my destiny is guiding me.
In 1999 I established my company RACHAITA CREATIVE SOLUTIONS; in Hindu mythology ‘rachaita’ means the creator of the universe (Lord Brahma) which is fondly known as RCS, presently RCS is an umbrella company for SITE art space (an art gallery) MODULAR SWING (acknowledges the rich presence of the swing in the Indian culture and explores its evaluation through time). And the latest endeavor of RCS is 99Chronicles, which will celebrate the idea of collaboration with various designers.
For me, design is answers to one or several requirements/questions.
I enjoy designing anything to my capabilities.
Swan tissue paper holder. Swan is made of metal using the technique of origami partially. What I enjoy most in this design is the tissue paper themselves become the feathers for the swan.
Corporate souvenirs, tabletop souvenirs with usability was made from a scrap of the same industry.
My favorite material is metal, and I combine it with various other materials to enhance its aesthetics.
When I am super relaxed with no distractions and disturbance.
Technical aspects i.e. Ease of making the product and achieve the best outcomes without compromises.
Technical Aspects of production. Choosing the right approach to achieve the best outcome, wherein the technical aspect incorporated in the design is seen as an important part of the design may be sharing a 50:50 ratio with the aesthetics.
Technical Aspects of production. Choosing the right approach to achieve the best outcome, wherein the technical aspect incorporated in the design is seen as an important part of the design may be sharing a 50:50 ratio with the aesthetics.
While designing, I feel the rise in my energy level as I find answers to my questions that come to my mind. And the peak in energy level wants to complete the prototyping as soon as possible.
Once the design is realized, there is happiness and excitement; simultaneously, I engage with the product to check for aspects that I had considered while sketching to see the possibility of enhancing the development from the energy that I get from the outcome.
If my design can connect itself with the youngest and the eldest of the age group, it's the most successful.
I look for wow factor, overall aesthetics, soft edges, functionality, ergonomics, modularity, and most importantly sustainable materials.
A design should fulfill the requirements of the present by taking testimonials from the past and bearing in mind the design's (product's) sustainable role in the future when it will become debris.
For most, it is a fashion; for some, it is a responsibility. It is our responsibility to carve the path for the future and take it towards a sustainable model.
In 2019 at RAW COLLABORATIVE (Ahmedabad, India). Whenever I get a good platform for better visibility.
Nature, nature, and nature. It plays a significant role for me may it be for design or structural stability.
Solid surfaces with thin connecting lines. Solid surfaces hold the color well, and lines play a significant role in highlighting the product at times. It also makes the design looks light.
India. Yes, to a reasonable extent. I enjoy the rich heritage of our country. It is best to design, keeping in mind the materials and process in one's vicinity.
Keep raising why's and keep finding answers to them.
The inlay on the floor ( Parchin Kari), a large mirror frame, brass dining table, the house's elevation facade, and the swing.
I start my day watering the plants, make masala tea, be a small help in the kitchen, freshen up, do a little prayer to focus on my concentration, take breakfast and leave for the studio by 9:30 – 10:00 AM. In no time, the clock turns 6:00 PM which is our standard closing time.
Be true to your design and pursue an ethical practice.
Use wood as a highlighting element, and you can never go wrong.
To be able to think and see the design through sections thoroughly. In and out with an honest approach.
Grid pad, pencil eraser, sharpener, and color pencil.
If there is proper planning and clarity in mind, designing doesn't take time.
A couple of hours to conclude on its feasibility.
What's new that you have created recently.
Architects, artists, designers, corporates, and individuals.
Converting a scrap of any industry into souvenirs and art for them, which as an outcome and is more relatable for them.
Either make my company very big or join a big company, I can target more enormous design challenges.
To date, I design myself; soon, we will have many collaborations to work as a team.
Yes, we collaborated with two other designers to make a series of furniture using terrazzo terracotta/metal and wood.
Email: 778gidc@gmail.com
Instagram: @manishmaheshwari779
Instagram: @manishmaheshwari779
Grand Interview
22 October 2025 · Ori Accent Chair
Metal as a material was familiar to me from childhood, as my father owned a metal foundry. I began designing and developing products from scrap metal brought to the foundry for melting, turning them into corporate souvenirs. The quality of my work led to more opportunities in various fields such as architecture (facades, foyers, canopies), art (sculptures), and interior design (furniture and decor products). I have always enjoyed tackling the challenges metalwork presents.In 2012, a question came to mind: how could a metal sheet be hand-folded? This thought naturally led me to explore origami. We procured brass and copper sheets and folded them to create small products and jewelry. Over time, we progressed to tabletop items, then to chairs, lights, and other furniture.The Ori Chair was my second chair design. Using the hand-folding technique from the first chair gave me a breakthrough, enabling me to hand-fold larger objects like chairs. While designing the Ori Chair, I aimed for more romanticism by creating something complex yet visually simple, aesthetically pleasing, and comfortable while staying loyal to the material we chose.
When the first prototype of the Ori Chair was created, it featured a raw metal finish. We wanted to introduce a bold color to enhance its visual appeal. The chair's circular form reminded us of a flower, which led us to seek inspiration from nature. The vibrant hue of sunflower petals stood out as an ideal choice—it is fresh, warm, and bold, perfectly complementing the design and adding a lively, harmonious touch to the piece.
The biggest challenge in this process was achieving the success of hand-folding the metal itself. If the metal could be folded by hand, it also meant it could potentially deform under external pressure. We worked on many factors, including the slit length, width, direction, and metal thickness. The slit size and direction were meticulously planned to facilitate ease of folding while ensuring rigidity once the form was complete.
Most of our designs, whether lighting or furniture, are inspired by nature. When drawing inspiration from natural forms, we observe not only their aesthetics but also other factors like stability, color, joinery- junctions, and weight, selecting what is most relevant to our design goals. In our studio garden, we have a ruffled fan palm, and its large, span-like leaves are structurally designed to withstand strong winds and rain, giving them impressive weight-bearing capacity. While we could have used a thicker gauge sheet bent into a conical form, the ruffled fan palm inspired us to choose a thinner sheet construction for the chair, which still provided the required strength and durability.
Initially, the use of wood was not intended for comfort, as the Ori Accent Chair is already quite comfortable without it. The wood was added primarily for aesthetic purposes, to balance the coldness of the metal with the warmth of the wood. While it serves as an embellishment, it also enhances both comfort and visual appeal. We use reclaimed teak wood sourced from Vadodara, India, where our studio is located. The region has a rich history of brick masonry and wood construction, with many buildings over a century old. When these structures are redeveloped, we acquire the wood for reuse in our designs. Additionally, metal is an inherently sustainable material, as it can be melted and reused countless times. Both reclaimed wood and metal contribute to the sustainable design of the Ori Accent Chair, with the metal's durability ensuring a long-lasting product.
Throughout the development process of the Ori Accent Chair, our focus was centered on three key aspects: 1) achieving the hand-folding capability of metal with the right slit pattern, 2) staying true to the primary material (metal) for construction, and 3) significantly reducing packaging size for more efficient transportation, which involved extensive experimentation on the shop floor. We gathered valuable data on slit design and direction patterns to ensure flexibility in hand folding various metals. Our design team is now nearing the final stages, with new lighting and furniture designs in flat-pack models that can also be hand-folded by the user.
It is always satisfying to be on the receiving end of an award, The A' Design Award recognition gave me the confidence to dive deeper into meaningful and innovative design. Such acknowledgment reinforces the importance of pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities in furniture design.
Choosing the right hardware for the Ori Accent Chair was easy once we understood the materials we were working with. Since we used mild steel for the base, magnets were a great choice to hold the wood in place. This solution made the chair easy to assemble while keeping the design looking clean and simple. We focused on combining smart engineering with good looks to ensure the chair would be durable and endure the market for generations.
As a child, I often opened up broken toys in an attempt to repair them. Although I don’t recall succeeding, the process helped me develop a strong sense of observation. I also enjoyed sketching, painting, and hands-on tinkering with small household objects, which I considered hobbies at the time.I later pursued a bachelor’s degree in engineering, but during my studies, I realized my hobbies were my true calling. I am grateful to have had this realization early in life. My engineering background nurtured my technical thought process, which undoubtedly influenced the development of the Ori Accent Chair's innovative folding mechanism.
To me, the origami technique is akin to inventing an alphabet, where numerous words, vocabulary, and narratives become possible. With metals and other industrial materials, there is immense potential for sustainable furniture design when guided by thoughtful design thinking.The design principles of the Ori Accent Chair are especially relevant to metals like aluminum, brass, and copper, offering a promising path for future innovations in sustainable furniture.
