DESIGN NAME: Childhood Series
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Furniture Collection
INSPIRATION: Today, an increasing number of young professionals are choosing to forgo traditional family life, instead opting to live and work in the teeming metropolises of Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and other major cities. This demographic new "urban pioneers", in a sense, work hard, but often have little sense of belonging, home or community. As a designer, and an urban pioneer myself, I explore how furniture can be a medium that brings happiness. My answer: the Childhood Series.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Childhood Series aims to bring cozy feeling to compact living space through versatile functionality and friendly character. Each item in the series is flat-packed and easy-mobility as we encourage furniture to be taken with rather than discarded. The collection contains 6 pieces in total: a sofa, a pair of side tables, a mobile coatrack, a sideboard and a floor mirror. Each product is inspired by an object in childhood, hence the name 'Childhood Series'.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: We have made each object as versatile as possible to fit within compact living confines. For example, the Skateboard Coat Rack, with smooth-rolling casters can be used anywhere. Its wood tray easily holds small items like keys, cards, and wallets. The Marshmallow Sofa comes with a tray and low table which can be assembled at either side. Furthermore, the convenient low table can be moved around for different occasions - or just on a whim! The Rocking Pouf can be set next to the sofa for leg exercises, or used as a standalone piece.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started in April 2018 and finished in July 2018 in Beijing, and was exhibited on September 20-23 at the London Design Fair 2018
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Furniture Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: Portability is the main idea we want to address in this collection. As for urban drifters they constantly move from one place to another, so easy mobility and, flat pack is critical as we believe furniture should be taken with rather than discarded. Therefore, metal and wood are the primary materials we start with. Metal ensures flat-packaging while wood brings a sense of warmth.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Each object in Childhood Series is flat-packed to minimize logistic cost and save packaging materials.
Skateboard is originally sized W1000 x D320 x H1600 and is only W625 x D140 x H1090 when packaged.
Marshmallow Sofa: Width1500 x Depth790 x Height790
Marshmallow Pouf: Width 750 x Depth 690 x Height 390
Lollipop Side Table (Big): Width 450 x Depth 450 x Height 540
Lollipop Side Table (Small): Width 350 x Depth 350 x Height 590
Hide&Seek Sideboard: Width 415 x Depth 395 x Height 838
Arch Floor Mirror: Width 425 x Depth 100 x Height1600
TAGS: Furniture design, Product design, Interior decoration, Contemporary design, Small-space living, Design in Asia, urban planning, millennials, urban living, big city living, modern furniture design
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Today, an increasing number of young professionals are choosing to live and work in the teeming metropolises. However, these professionals are getting burned out physically, emotionally and spiritually, as the cost of living in big cities is spiraling out of control. As a designer, and an urban pioneer myself, I explore how furniture can be a medium to bring happiness. Stylish, durable, and affordable. My answer: The Childhood Series.
CHALLENGE: Happiness is easy to feel yet hard to describe. And bringing about happiness via story, form or function can be challenging. So we draw inspiration from the near universal objects and memories of childhood, such as a rocking horse, skateboard, and candy. We believe objects like these can elicit happiness in all people.
ADDED DATE: 2018-10-26 03:30:42
TEAM MEMBERS (2) : Wanghe Studio and He Bei Goutu Technical Company Ltd
IMAGE CREDITS: Image #1-5 Photography by Wanghe Studio, 2018.
PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: Marshmallow Sofa. Patent No. 201830440210.1 Wang He. 2018. National Intellectual Property Administration, PRC
Lollipop Side Table. Patent No. 201830440251.0 Wang He. 2018. National Intellectual Property Administration, PRC
Skateboard Coatrack. Patent No. 201830440252.5 Wang He. 2018. National Intellectual Property Administration, PRC
Arch Floor Mirror. Patent No. 201830440209.9 Wang He. 2018. National Intellectual Property Administration, PRC
Hide&Seek Sideboard. Patent No. 201830440008.9 Wang He. 2018. National Intellectual Property Administration, PRC
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