A Lawyer and An Architect Combine Their Passions To Create The RA 1.15 Armchair

El Purista RA 1.15 Armchair

Inspired by a blossoming flower and an open box of cigars, longtime friends Chilean architect Rodrigo Gonzalez and German lawyer Alexander Sauer, worked together to create the RA 1:15. An evolution of the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, the RA 1.15 is a sophisticated molded wood and aniline leather armchair with matching footstool.

El Purista RA 1.15 Armchair & Ottoman

El Purista RA 1.15 Armchair

The two met 15 years ago sharing an apartment in Barcelona as roommates. Then they raised families, worked in different countries and grew in their respective professions. Their friendship has lasted for many years and from their common love of fine furniture, the RA 1.15 was born. Their aim was to design a chair that fulfills the highest quality standards, is customizable and might even outlast its first “owner.”

Designed for private homes or public spaces, the armchair is made of molded beech and walnut wood and offers a personal retreat to relax, reflect and enjoy. Because it has been featured in several cigar magazines, and with a cigar, it has earned the nicknames “Smoker’s Chair” or “Cigar Armchair.”

Made completely in Germany, the chair uses only trees from sustainable forests. The inner layer of the chair body is made of beech wood and the top layer of walnut veneer – or you can choose from other various veneers such as oak, maple or other woods if so desired.

The delicately shaped wood and drawers are lined with Spanish cedar. They are built into the armrests and open by pressing their frontal cover and activating the “push mechanism”. When opening them, you have to pull them out surpassing a small bit of resistance.

The drawers are closed by pushing them inwards, using the “soft close mechanism” to make them slide softly slide back into the original closed position. The drawers serve as repositories for remote controls, mobile phones and the like. The open spaces to the right and left of the seat can be used to store newspapers, books, laptops or necessities like wine and cigars.

The metal frame and legs are made of 10 mm round solid steel which can be finished in either a glossy or satin chrome. Powder-coated colors in matte or gloss are offered as an alternative.

The upholstery of the RA 1.15 is made of pure, eco-friendly aniline leather. Aniline leather is characteristically smooth and soft to the tough (it’s the same leather now used in the production of Herman Miller’s Eames lounge chair and ottoman). It’s dyed in a barrel where the transparent dyes penetrate the material and color the skin. No artificial pigments are applied to the surface. The leather retains natural features such as cracks and insect bites attesting to its authenticity.

The ottomans are designed specifically for the chairs and are made to order. The dimensions of the chair can be created in two different sizes depending upon the customer’s needs.

The production of the El Purista RA 1.15 Armchair is complex and demands the highest standards of precision and artisanship. Expert handcraft is of the utmost importance in the manufacturing and processing of the aniline leather, the preparation of the plywood, the assembly of the drawers, and the fitting of the covers. All these elements ensure that every RA 1.15 is unique.

About the manufacturer:
El Purista is a trademark of GfL GmbH Softwarelösungen. The company was established in the year 2012 and was a software developer for the hotel and catering industry. With RA 1.15 the realignment of the company was initiated. The headquarters of GfL GmbH Softwarelösungen is Sobrigauer Weg 5, 01257 Dresden.

About the designers:
Rodrigo Gonzalez was born in 1971 in Valparaíso, Chile. He studied architecture in Valparaíso and worked as a freelance architect in Chile before he moved to Spain. Mr.Gonzalez now lives with his family in Mallorca and designs both residential and industrial buildings.

Alexander Sauer was born in 1975 in Heidelberg, Germany. After his admission as a solicitor he worked in Barcelona and later as managing director of a German company in Verona. Mr. Sauer now lives with his family in Freiburg and works in renewable energies.

El Purista

images and information courtesy of El Purista Additional information and photos are courtesy of the following: Red Dot 21, Atom Labor and Uncrate