ROLLER CHAIR
A chair that doubles as a marble roller
Made by John Lapp in Lancaster PA, USA
Material: Maple
Designed by COMPANY / Johan Olin


SECRETS OF USA
We set on a tour around eastern USA. We visited the Amish communities in Pennsylvania and also traditional makers in Massachusetts and Maine. The traditional manufacturing was very linked with religion. In many places, religion was the engine for hard work. The means of manufacturing had been unchanged for over a hundrer years as our means of communication with the makers. Posting and receiving letters overseas was both great and lenghty adventure that will continue for a long time.
The project was first shown at Storefront for Art and Archotecture in COMPANYs solo exhibition ’Temple of Manufacturing’ in summer 2017.



Visiting John Lapp's furniture and toy factory in Pennsylvania. Working tables are placed along the window wall to get most out of the daylight. All Amish are first and foremost farmers. They manufacture other goods during winter season. Some makers, like John Lapp, have specialized more in manufacturing and run a factory producing childrens furniture and toys. It's not easy to run a factory without electricity but the Amish are talented in using traditional power sources and natural light but also allow the use of hydraulic / compress air tools and gas (kerosine) lamps..


Letter to chair maker John Lapp. The Amish do not use electricity and so our communication was done by sending and receiving (paper)letters.



Outside an Amish store in Amish country, Pennsylvania. Everything should be able to purchasewith in a horse distance in Amish country. It means there are lots of small makers and stores at close distance. This makes everyone in the community a maker and a seller. Next to each home, there are big or small manufacturers making everyday goods like leather belts, toys, furnitures or special kick bikes all as a family unit.



Amish Country Map by Johan Olin.



Arriving to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.