Chou Wei Liang, Aditya Cipta Sugandha, and Susi Hartanto of New Elegant have presented their latest project, the Kaonashi chair, a dining-sized standalone chair designed as a platform of expression of the chair design progression, made of real wood veneer and metal.

The Kaonashi Chair has been awarded the 2022 Prize Designs for Modern Furniture + Lighting Award from Global Design News and The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design.

The design should look considerably lightweight, and comfortable, requiring minimum tools and hardware, while maintaining the construction strength to ensure the safety of the user as a priority.

Providing another function other than a sole expression platform, as the basic function of a chair is to provide comfort and ease of use for the user.

Converting the 3D shapes of iconic parts of classic chairs into 2D graphics and carefully projecting them onto the surfaces of Kaonashi while being mindful of the overall image of the chair as a standalone or a set.

By maximizing the benefit of laminated veneer lumber characteristics, the flexibility to create shapes that can follow the morph of the human back gives a huge benefit not only in providing more comfort but also in the lesser volume of materials used to reach the construction strength needed.

This characteristic leads to a slim, organic design that still provides enough surface to support the user’s body. The large portion of space between the slim front and rear legs provides an opportunity for another feature that can benefit the user.

Giving metal storage that is crafted following the organic shapes of the chair, not only provides extra storage for the user but also indirectly adds more strength to the whole construction. Moreover, considering all kinds of heavy or light items that any user would like to put in storage, metal will sustain better than wood.

A new station for the user to sit and relax while enjoying any activity they would like to do, such as reading, watching movies, or even working in front of a desk.

When the user is done with their books, storage is ready for them right below where they seat.

The use of real wood and metal for the body parts makes the chair long-lasting and recyclable and eco-friendly.

The various style graphics on the surface of Kaonashi is the feature site for the user to choose based on their personal taste, resembling our everyday chairs that have been around from the 19th century until this very day such as the famous Thonet Chair and the Napoleon chairs. Not forgetting the importance of function for the user, a curved back as lumbar support will help the user to stay comfortable while sitting for a long period of time.

Metal waveform storage underneath the seating eases the user in storing or reaching their favorite magazines or novels.

Redefining postmodernism in furniture by implementing iconic images of the famous chairs from the modernism era into this newly shaped contemporary style chair without overwhelmingly the overall design of the chair itself.

Project: Kaonashi Chair Designer: New Elegant Co., Ltd. Designer Team: Chou Wei Liang, Aditya Cipta Sugandha, and Susi Hartanto Manufacturer: New Elegant Co., Ltd.

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