University of Valparaiso
The mid-century modern design of Coventry Cathedral profoundly influenced the design of the Chapel of the Resurrection at Valparaiso. Although separated by many miles, these two places of worship share not only an architectural connection but also a common philosophy; the Community of the Cross of Nails - a community that connects the spirit of togetherness, learning, and acceptance across the globe. We set out to ensure that the chapel seating we designed would create an additional parallel connection.
In 2014 the Dean and key decision makers in Indiana, contacted the Gordon Russell Trust, in the UK, to inquire if anyone was making the chairs designed for Coventry Cathedral by Gordon Russell. The chairs had been out of production for over 30 years.
The Gordon Russell Trust, contacted Luke Hughes who were tasked to find out if the Coventry chair could be re-engineered for manufacture in a modern workshop and for a modern audience, the ergonomics of chapel seating being very different in Midwest America today than in post-war Britain nearly 70 years ago.
Within ten weeks, a set of historic drawings had been transformed by Luke Hughes into sample CAD files and prototype chairs for the client. Once the order was placed, the production of 1,545 Coventry chairs began. These were delivered to Indiana USA, on time, 17 weeks after the raising of the first order.
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