Mr O’Kennedy, from Tubbercurry in Co Sligo, has just completed his final year on the Bachelor of Science (hons ) in furniture design and manufacture programme at ATU’s Connemara campus in Letterfrack.
He was presented with the award of £1,000 sterling by trustee of the foundation Mary V Mullin at the launch of Legacy, a special exhibition of graduates’ work at Interface Inagh, Connemara.
This is the first time the foundation has awarded a prize for furniture design outside of the UK, an acknowledgment of the foundation’s recognition of the high standard of furniture design created by students of the BSc (Hons ) in furniture design and manufacture programme at ATU Connemara.
Established in 2012, the Robin and Lucienne Day Foundation preserves the legacy of the pioneering 20th century furniture and textile designers. It aims to promote appreciation and understanding of design and provides opportunities for the general public and students to further their study of design.
An Chathaoir Oidhreachta is the Irish for the legacy chair, and a fitting reference to both the theme of this year’s project, legacy, and to the legacy of Robin and Lucienne Day. Kevin O’Kennedy designed the chair to be used not only as a place to sit down but also to relax to a rocking motion. The structure of the chair is made from oak and the cushions are made with a foam filling and a Foxford herringbone weave textile cover. The oak frame is finished in a natural Osmo oil. The four bridle joints add a beautiful aesthetic to the piece with the contrasting grain formations. This chair is designed to be manufactured to stand the test of time so that it can become a legacy, passed down from generation to generation.
“It was an honour to have my chair design recognised as award worthy among such a talented group of designers,” Mr O’Kennedy said. “Winning the award has been the highlight of my four years in ATU Connemara and I’d like to thank the Robin and Lucienne Day Foundation for this opportunity.”
The winning design can be viewed at the annual summer show which runs at the ATU Connemara campus in Letterfrack village from June 21 to August 19.
For information about the courses available in ATU Connemara and ATU School of Design and Creative Arts, see gmit.ie
