CYRUS COLLECTION

While design inspirations in the digital age tend to be drawn from the likes of Pinterest and Instagram, District Eight went many centuries back to build their latest range, the Cyrus collection.

District Eights latest collection fuses two materials from opposite ends of the spectrum—light, soft velvet and raw, bold metal, like steel and brass. The Cyrus chair features a tube steel frame with an upholstered seat and backrest that’s available in both leather and fabric.

The Cyrus collection includes the Cyrus chair and Cyrus sofa. The concept behind this range initially came from an ancient artifact—a Babylonian clay cylinder called The Cyrus Cylinder. The text on the Cylinder praises the Persian king Cyrus the Great and lays out his genealogy, while also describing him as a king of kings. It dates from the 6th century BC and was discovered in the ruins of Babylon in Mesopotamia in the late 1800s. Today the artifact sits in the British Museum in London.

Using the cylinder as the core feature for the Cyrus chair, the design team had to figure out how to create a proper steel frame that integrates well with the shape of the chair’s backrest. The measurements of the backrest, the seat height and bevel are all calculated and manufactured for ergonomic comfort in order to create functional, well-designed seating.

As with all District Eight products, most people would be surprised to learn that almost all the production is done by hand. The Cyrus collection’s fusing of materials involves a lengthy and detailed handcrafted process that we’re very proud of.

The way District Eight fuses softer materials and industrial material is based on a rule in which there’s one primary, one secondary, and one tertiary material. An overuse of any one material makes the design become redundant. For the Cyrus chair, we use leather or fabric as the main, or primary, material. The steel tube frame is secondary and the tertiary brass section material is for decoration. It also connects the pieces together.

The Cyrus collection customer is one who looks for simplicity and functionality in design. They are aware of, or attracted to, the minimalist contemporary aesthetic. It’s an ideal fit for spaces such as a lounge room or veranda. We can see the Cyrus chair pairing perfectly with a side table in a flexible, comfortable space. It’s a solid piece of furniture for any office, hotel, or home.