JPC Architects of Bellevue has partnered with Seattle artist Piper O’Neill to participate in Seattle Design Center’s “The Chair Project.”

The event pairs 10 interior designers, 10 artists and 10 dining room-style chairs to produce an experiment in design and art created by two Seattle design icons – Seattle Design Center and Pratt Fine Arts Center.

Each team started with the bones of a chair provided by Chicago furniture maker Baker. The teams came together Feb. 17 to reveal their creations at Seattle Design Center’s Northwest Design Awards Gala. After that, the chairs will be displayed at Nordstrom in downtown Seattle and other venues until they are auctioned off in August with proceeds benefiting Pratt.

We originally wanted the finished pieces to be functioning chairs,” said Craig Cross, marketing manager of Seattle Design Center, “but as we discussed the idea with Pratt, we realized that applying fewer limitations would generate a far more interesting conversation.”

The designers and artists were challenged to add, subtract or repurpose their designs – to create a chair, wall art, an abstract sculpture, or a chandelier.