British furniture maker Isokon created the Join collection together with Foster + Partners. The series includes a lounge chair, a footstool and three tables. The team developed each piece through repeated prototyping, allowing them to test shapes, strength and material behaviour. The result shows how engineered plywood and layered veneers can support contemporary, functional furniture design.

Turning flat sheets into three-dimensional forms

The plywood chair forms the starting point of the collection. The designers used full-scale mock-ups to explore how flat timber sheets behave when they bend. They cut the veneered panels into a trouser-shaped pattern and pressed them into a curved shell. This approach reduces material waste and proves how efficient plywood can be as a structural material.

The chair stands on either plywood legs or metal tube legs. Both versions connect neatly to the shell and keep the design visually consistent. A padded seat cover is available for added comfort.

A unified family of products

The footstool follows the same geometry as the chair, giving the collection a coherent character. The tables take a more geometric approach. They come in three diameters that match their height. Each tabletop contains a subtle lift-up grommet. This hides cables inside the vertical support, which makes the tables suitable for workspaces as well as living and hospitality areas.

Material choices and applications

Designers can specify the collection in birch, walnut, oak or stained finishes. Plywood continues to appeal to architects, interior designers and product designers because it combines strength with low material use. Its layered construction allows for precise shaping, long lifespan and relatively low environmental impact compared with solid timber. The Join collection shows how careful engineering can turn a standard sheet material into refined furniture with practical benefits for contemporary interiors.

Source & photos: Foster + Partners / Isokon