The Origin
At the intersection of industrial design and pure inspiration lies Doci. Born from a vision to redefine the outdoor experience, Doci transcends the traditional limitations of furniture; it is a dialogue between organic, spherical form and precise, handcrafted engineering.
My professional journey has been defined by the application of knowledge—degrees in Mechanical Industrial Engineering and an MBA, tempered by decades of practical experience across painting, woodwork, metalwork, ceramics, and composites. Yet, beyond these structures, I felt a persistent drive to create something entirely novel.
Google defines an "original thought" as the synthesis of experience into a solution that cannot be traced to a singular prior source. To validate this, I pursued a rigorous path of patent and design registration. The resulting filings (SA Patent application No. 2019/07505 and associated functional and aesthetic design registrations - A2019/01671 and F2019/01672) served as proof that Doci was not merely a refinement of existing furniture, but a conceptual leap.
The inspiration was born from a frustration shared by many in South Africa’s sun-drenched climate: the friction of outdoor living. I despised the cycle of maintaining outdoor furniture—the constant need to retrieve, place, and store cushions, or the struggle with cumbersome covers.
I envisioned a chair that required no preparation—one where you could simply walk up, open the mechanism, and sit. Solving this technical challenge led to an unintended outcome: the creation of a functional art object. What began as an engineering solution evolved into a sculptural centerpiece.
Doci is the only chair in existence to feature an integrated, weather-defying spherical lid. While its arresting silhouette commands attention, its true merit is found in the comfort it provides and the permanence it holds.
While the patent process validated the "original thought," the true value of Doci lies in the making. I realized that the spirit of the invention was inseparable from the craftsmanship required to build it. Consequently, I committed to hand-crafting every Doci myself instead of relying on design protections.
Each Doci is a living, usable investment—a numbered, hand-signed work of art. Doci is not simply furniture; it is an enduring testament to the idea that utility and beauty need not be mutually exclusive.