Kawadoko Bench

Kawadoko Bench is an innovative furniture design that draws inspiration from the traditional Japanese riverside platforms known as Kawadoko, translating their cooling and relaxing essence into contemporary furniture. Created by Taiwanese designer Shih An Ko, this sophisticated bench masterfully combines cultural heritage with modern functionality, featuring a thoughtfully engineered structure that measures 430mm in width, 1520mm in depth, and stands 460mm tall. Crafted from premium white oak using traditional woodworking techniques including tenon and mortise joinery and woodturning, the bench's distinctive design incorporates long gaps between seat components to promote optimal ventilation and cooling, reminiscent of its architectural inspiration. The bench's proportions have been meticulously calculated to accommodate various sitting positions, including cross-legged postures and reclining, while its wider-than-average dimensions enhance user comfort and versatility. Notable design elements include the innovative treatment of the wooden rods that form the seating surface, which feature flat tops for comfort while maintaining circular edges that serve as convenient handling points for mobility. The design successfully addresses the technical challenges of working with 1.5-meter wooden rods through custom-designed jigs and specialized finishing techniques to eliminate burn marks on curved surfaces. This exceptional piece of furniture design, which was developed between August 2020 and January 2021, earned recognition with a Bronze A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category, acknowledging its outstanding contribution to contemporary furniture design through its blend of traditional craftsmanship, cultural significance, and practical functionality.

Author: Adam Dawson

Keywords: furniture design, Japanese architecture inspiration, sustainable woodworking, contemporary bench design, ventilated seating, cultural fusion design

SOURCES:
https://competition.adesignaward.com/121535

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