Designed by NLÉ as a signature chair for Zaria Court in Kigali, the Zaria Chair is both furniture and statement—an expression of form, culture, and simplicity. It sits not only in space, but in tradition.
The chair draws inspiration from the time-honoured African birthing chair—two interlocking planks forming a grounded, elemental geometry, as well as regal thrones of northern Nigeria. In the Zaria Chair, this ancient typology is reimagined with four intersecting planks, unfolding into a sculptural yet comfortable armchair made for rest and reflection within the hotel.
Assembly is pure logic. No screws, no nails, no fasteners—only the weight of gravity and the precision of the cut. The result is a tactile system of balance and restraint. Circular cushions at the seat and back lend softness to the structure’s quiet clarity.
