F40/M50

Mariposa Bicycles |  Fig40 | 2020

Celebrating the making.

The making of steel bicycle frames has remained largely unchanged for over 100 years.  The materials and geometry have evolved not to mention the components they use, but the frames are relatively unchanged.

Mariposa have been building steel bike frames for over 50years, with 2019 marking their 50th anniversary.  

The collaboration with Mariposa began with a question: did they see any value in making furniture in the same way they make bike frames?  They did and this stool is the result.

The stool utilizes a conventional typology, sits at bar height and reflects the detailing of fine, hand built bicycles. The exploration of lugged construction began with using actual frame lugs to make the lower foot rest connections to the frame. The upper connection is a split plate configuration similar to fork crown construction and this combination was strong enough to eliminate the need to tie the third leg to the rest of the stool adding the the character of the stool.

When shown in the context of a bicycle and the introduction of Mariposa colour ways, chrome and paint treatments, a logical lineage can be seen. The result is a furniture piece, beautifully made capturing details and sensibilities of familiar products brought together to create something new.

F40/M50 previewed at DesignTO2020 in Toronto and has been selected as a FestivalFeature.

Winner of Best of Canada 2020.

For more information go to MariposaBicycles.