When Coalesse commissioned U.K.-born designer Michael Young to create a stackable chair made entirely from carbon fibre, its objective was not a gallery piece, but something much more difficult: an industrialized solution suitable for mass production. Consulting experts skilled at working carbon fibre into bicycle frames, Young devised a chair able to support 136 kilograms, yet weighing less than 2.3 kilograms (or five pounds, hence the name). With its elongated legs and sweeping back, LessThanFive is a striking example of technology and craftsmanship merging in perfect harmony.

Project: LessThanFive Chair

Designer: Michael Young, China

Manufacturer: Coalesse Design Group, U.S.