The Catalan firm of architects RCR Arquitectes is faced with the challenge of realising the desire of the award-winning writer Javier Cercas, to give it shape and transform it into a wooden object.

When asked what the object of his dreams was, Javier Cercas´ first reaction was to feel privileged; this is not the sort of question people are asked every day. His second reaction was to lament the fact that his wife Merce wasn´t present at the meeting, as according to the writer himself, “she knows what I want better than I do myself”. Nevertheless, he then decided that his dream was to have a comfortable armchair in which to conduct the two activities that take up most of his time: reading and writing.

Based on this first conversation, RCR came up with a solution which goes beyond a simple armchair: this is an object which enables one to move seamlessly between different activities such as relaxing, meditating, reading and thinking. This interpretation enables Cercas to forget what is happening around him and to create the ideal atmosphere to inspire him and in which to write.

RCR Arquitectes are focusing on two key elements: on the one hand, nature, which will provide inspiration, representing the form and the bearer of beauty and symbolism; and on the other, anthropometry (the scientific study of the measurements and proportions of the human body), as the dimensions and proportions of Javier Cercas´ body will define the object.

RCR arquitectes are convinced that the material is crucial to the design and, by means of a combination of manual and technological making techniques; it will result in a piece which is not just visually pleasing, but one which can be experienced with all the senses.