DESIGN NAME:
Dango
PRIMARY FUNCTION:
Multifunctional Folding Chair
INSPIRATION:
The inspiration came from a Japanese dessert snack called dango. It is made up of a mix of rice flour and it's usually in 3-4 round shaped mochi served on a skewer. When folded the chair (profile view) takes the shape of the snack. Noda designs wanted to design a multifunctional folding chair that can convert to a lounge chair and can be used indoors or outdoors with eco friendly materials.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Multifunctional folding chair that is also a lounge chair. Inspired by the Japanese dessert dango, the chair takes the shape of the snack when it is closed. Most challenging technical aspect is making sure that the angle on both lounge and chair version is comfortable and also functional with a single ratchet. Lightweight, it is made of eco-friendly urecel quick dry foam, good for outdoors, sustainable fabrics, vegan leather and powder coated aluminum. Additional detail is the handle at the top so it is easily movable from one place to another. Stackable for storage and shipping purposes.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION:
The chair is a simple folding chair, however, the ratchet that holds the two frames together has a latch internally that could help lower the seating and recline the back into lounge position. To store it away simply fold the chair and its form takes the shape of the dessert dango and is flat.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION:
The project started in September 2023 in Toronto and the prototype is made in Jakarta, Indonesia with our manufacturing company.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY:
Furniture Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY:
This multifunctional folding chair was designed out of necessity. There seems to be a gap with multifunctional designs for smaller homes or apartments that can be used for indoors and outdoors. The frame is made of lightweight aluminum powder coated with non toxic paint and sustainable fabrics or vegan leather for the upholstery. The foam used is Urecel QuickDry which is antibacterial, has no VOC, ecofriendly and high durability with a unique open cell structure that can dry very quickly. There is also a weaved version that use off cuts wastes collected from local factories.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES:
546 W x 185 D x 1020 H (mm)
Flat pack for shipping, eco friendly foam, eco friendly fabric, vegan leather, aluminum frame
TAGS:
folding chair, chair, outdoor chair, outdoor furniture, outdoor, lounge chair, outdoor lounge chair, dango
RESEARCH ABSTRACT:
The objective of this product is fun and multifunctional for indoors and outdoors. Inspired by the simplicity of the shapes of Japanese snack dango. Started experimenting with packing foams and sticks to make the shapes and testing different angles to ensure the chair is supporting the recline position. Using aluminum frames and lightweight foam and eco-friendly materials an ideal aesthetic that serves both indoors and outdoors is crucial so a survey was conducted asking clients and subscribers and the results were unanimous love the multi-functionality, choice of colours and design of the chair.
CHALLENGE:
Biggest challenge is ensuring that the angles for both dining and lounge version is comfortable for the user on a single ratchet. Tested several reclining angles by making small models and playing with the angles at different heights before finalizing on the prototype and ensuring it is ergonomically within the boundary. As this product is an in-house design for manufacturing, making sure the foam sourced is eco-friendly and local to reduce cost of production and carbon footprint.
Using eco-friendly fabrics with limited MOQs is a challenge because ensuring these variables do not delay the production timeline and costs.
ADDED DATE:
2023-10-04 20:55:00
TEAM MEMBERS (1) :
Sean Paolo Rillorta
IMAGE CREDITS:
Image #1- image #5 renders are done by Sean Paolo Rillorta
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