Learning about Walter's work

Earlier this week I had the privilege to visit Walter Segal's son at his home. The purpose of the visit was to plan the content of the forthcoming Segal exhibition. The show will be in the gallery Architectural Association, the school of architecture where Walter taught, in January 2016.

We had asked to view material relating to the self-build period as that is the main focus of the exhibition. It was fascinating to see Segal's own particular style of drawing.

It was also a chance to learn about the furniture that Segal designed to go in his houses. Segal was an accomplished Egyptologist, having worked as a tomb surveyor in Egypt and writing extensivelt about ancient Egyptian stool, chairs and thrones. This interest is reflected in his early furniture designs. he wanted to show that it was possible to make furniture with very little wood, as the ancient Egyptians had done. His early chair was made from sticks that were offcuts from the Mosquito aircraft - one of the few planes to be made form wood. It also had a recessed back - another detail from ancient Egypt. His later furniture was more utilitarian-looking, as shown in the photo above. 

It is likely there will be some Segal furniture in the exhibition, giving the public a change to gain more of an insight into this remarkable designer.