Cloud Chair

Cloud Chair is an innovative furniture design that seamlessly merges natural inspiration with functional artistry, created by Japanese designer Shota Urasaki. This remarkable seating solution draws its conceptual foundation from the ethereal beauty of clouds and rain, particularly inspired by the coastal scenery of Okinawa, Japan. The chair's distinctive design features a cloud-like seating surface achieved through an intricate needle felting technique, where polyester fiber is meticulously pierced into polyurethane foam, creating a soft, billowing appearance reminiscent of cumulus clouds. The design's structural composition includes 100 thin stainless steel round bars, each 5mm in diameter, which create a striking visual effect of falling rain beneath the cloud-like seat. The mirror-like finish of the stainless steel legs and pedestal enhances this illusion, reflecting light and movement to simulate precipitation. Measuring 1000mm in width, 900mm in depth, and 600mm in height, the chair's elevated seating position creates a floating sensation for the user, fulfilling the childhood fantasy of sitting atop a cloud. The design, which was honored with the Golden A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category, represents a harmonious blend of poetic expression and functional design, demonstrating exceptional innovation in material usage and aesthetic appeal. The handcrafted nature of the piece, combined with its careful material selection of stainless steel, polyester fiber, wood, and polyurethane foam, showcases a commitment to quality craftsmanship and durability. This design, completed between April and October 2019, exemplifies how furniture can transcend its utilitarian purpose to become an emotionally engaging piece that enriches its surrounding space while maintaining practical functionality.

Author: Adam Dawson

Keywords: furniture design, cloud-inspired seating, contemporary Japanese design, artistic furniture, innovative materials, sculptural chair

SOURCES:
https://competition.adesignaward.com/103921

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