London Design Festival 2008 (8): Meet Rupert McKelvie’s In.Fold Chair


Some Background
Rather than copying and pasting other peoples finds in this blog and making it an online scrapbook only, I like to produce my own content. However, as a busy hotelier in Haagsche Suites and busy blogger at Happy Hotelier I don’t have enough time to do this as much as I would like. In addition I’m easily distracted by new finds, repairing wrong posts (finally most work is done with now) and merging my Tumblr log into this Blog. So I took a look in my 100 drafts for posts.

In September 2008 I was able to roam London Design week during 1.5 day and was able to visit Phillips the Pury’s Gallery, Tent London and 100% Design. I’ve published some posts in my category London Design Festival. I’ve many more posts in my sleeve yet.

This is also a caveat for some people who have send me material and are wondering: “Why the hell isn’t he publishing what I’ve sent him?” Have some patience with me.

Meet Rupert McKelvie

who I shortly met at 100% Design London in 2008. He was kind enough to demonstrate his extraordinary folding chair for me and my camera. And you know what? He intrigues me, because he is also a boat builder Like Matthias Pliesnig….. I have said once: “If I ever retire, I want to become a Venetian retro speedboat water taxi driver”. Yes, I keep on dreaming. Moreover there is another coincidence: I started this blog with a post about a folding/puzzle chair.

About Ruppert McKelvie

Rupert trained as a classical boat builder in Dorset for two years gaining a wealth of knowledge and discovering a true affinity with the making world. He then went on to build two 1950’s wooden Venetian speed boats currently moored in Devon. Following this, he continued his passion for design at University College Falmouth, completing a BA (hons) in 3D Design and Sustainability.

The marriage of these two disciplines is evident in his work, as elements of the maker and designer combine to produce furniture that is appealing, yet always practical.

About the In.Fold Chair
Take a flexible material and glue pieces of multiplex board against it in a clever way. Color the two sides with a different color and you can put the chair away without it taking much storage room, but also you have two chairs in one. A blue or a white one.

Clever piece of work Rupert and sorry it took me so long to publish this.