NEO Chair
Design by: Võ Trần Thanh Quang

Introduction

Quang Võ is a Vietnamese industrial designer. Born in Ho Chi Minh City and a graduate of the University of Architecture (UAH), his projects and designs aim for “good design” through simple, rational, and engaging ideas. The “NEO” chair emerged from an experiment with materials and structure. In this design, aluminum is “stretched” like leather, while wood serves to connect and shape the entire structure. The form of the chair does not stem from decorative notions or style; instead, it results from observing how materials respond when acted upon and how they work together to create a form with a purposeful existence.

Practice Perspective

According to the designer, no detail is superfluous, nor is any part added merely for decoration. Every element is retained for structural reasons, based on how the materials function and support each other. When the two materials meet, they do not cancel each other out; instead, they create a balanced yet opposing dynamic: one side holds, the other stretches; one is raw and natural, the other cold and industrial. Ultimately, they are only complete when together. The design is intended to be immediately understandable, without puzzling the user. People can perceive how the chair works without explanation. It does not challenge the sitter but challenges the designer and the maker, compelling them to find new approaches to a familiar object. From the designer’s perspective, this is what truly drives design forward.

Approach Concept

The “NEO” chair is shaped by a structural mindset, where form emerges from how its components connect and interact. The seat and backrest do not rest on a frame but are suspended in space, anchored by wooden bars. This creates a plane held taut within its own boundaries. The essence of the chair lies in clarity. No material is hidden, and no structure is concealed. It does not attempt to tell a story or evoke emotion; it simply reveals how it is made and how it exists. From this design perspective, if there is beauty, it arises from logic and honesty, two elements considered fundamental to the design.