Baraga

The Place

Baraga: a port on Lake Michigan which, starting in the 17th century became a natural stop for early voyagers and traders following the south shore of Lake Superior westward from Sault Ste. Marie.
Like the Baraga stool the port was a great place to perch as one surveyed the landscape or for taking a moment’s rest.

The Seat Shape

Baraga’s seat is molded after old cast iron tractor seats. Adapted from those used in the 1850s on horse-drawn equipment they were so well designed a farmer could comfortably sit all day, despite being of a hard material. No padding or cushion was necessary and designers even crafted ‘art’ pieces using this metal form (Achille Castiglioni, designed the ‘Mezzadro’ (sharecropper) Seat in 1957.)

There have also been many designer executions in solid lumber, but Leland’s Baraga is a much more modern expression by virtue of its plywood seat.

The Seat Material and Frame

While the molded design historically provided great comfort without requiring padding or cushions, Leland is pushing that comfort further with the offering of a PET felt seat in addition to the plywood. Baraga’s metal frame is an expression of the skeletal wireframe of a 3D object: its connection points, lines and curves represent the edges of the furniture while functioning like the setting of a piece of jewelry.