Using 27mm square section timber and wood screws, their challenge was to design and build a chair-a-day for 19 days throughout lockdown.

At the start of Lockdown two brothers Tom and Will Buttefield, from London launched a design project on Monday 27th April in order to raise money for Age UK and Resourcing Racial Justice

In reaction to the damage of COVID-19, 19 Chairs is a celebration. Using 27mm square section timber and wood screws, their challenge was to design and build a chair-a-day for 19 days throughout lockdown.

With all 19 Chairs now assembled they have launched ‘Stage 2’ of their project. They are in the process of delivering the chairs to inspiring artists and designers from all corners of the creative industry, who have been asked to reinvent, reimagine or redesign their chair with an older person in mind. So far, they are over half-way through, and their line-up includes;

Wilfrid Wood - Artist & Sculptor, Emma Brewin - Fashion Designer, Helmut Smits - Visual Artist, James Shaw - Designer, Morag Myerscough - Graphic Artist, Antony Williams - Painter, Henry Gorse - Image Maker, Max Siedentopf - Visual Artist, Tom Dixon - Lighting & Furniture Designer, Harry Grundy - Artist, Jean Jullien - Illustrator, Sabine Marcelis - Designer, Ashely Williams - Fashion Designer, Joe Lycett - Comedian, Benjamin Edgar - Designer, Nicole McLaughlin - Fashion Designer.

Tom and Will chose to support the heavily effected elderly generation and respective care-homes. Age UK is an amazing charity offering much-needed companionship and support to the elderly, through such challenging and lonely times.

“This sounds like such a fantastic way of raising funds for the charity. Right now, we need fundraisers more than ever, so we are truly grateful that you have chosen to support our cause at the time with this innovative project.” Daniel Stewart - Community Fundraising Manager.

More recently, in light of the current cultural issues happening in America and across the World, they have decided to donate half of any profits raised to Resourcing Racial Justice - a coalition of people of colour (POC) innovators, change-makers, activists, artists and social leaders dedicated to social change.

Their plan is to sell the newly “revamped” 19 Chairs with all monetary profits raised donated towards Age UK and Resourcing Racial Justice. Discover more about 19 Chairs.