SURFACE
A folding bench that transforms between form and flatness.
Project Details
Type: Product Design (Individual)
Duration: 6 weeks, 2018
Material: Birch Plywood
Software: Rhino, Adobe Illustrator
Size: 600mm × 600mm × 400mm
Background
“Every designer should have their own chair.”
From classical handcraft to modern modular production, seating is not only functional but deeply expressive. This project began with the question: how might folding act not only as storage, but also as a language between people and furniture?
Using mind mapping and user behavior analysis, I explored how seating could become multifunctional, mobile, and intuitive to interact with.
Design Process
Sketching & Ideation
Early sketches explored multi-legged structures, kinetic hinges, and wearable portability. I tested concepts where the furniture could shift between states — from volume to surface.
Modeling & Form Exploration
The challenge lay in designing a folding system that didn’t compromise aesthetics. I experimented with structures that “shook” or expanded as the bench lifted — creating moments of tension and rhythm between form and motion.
Final Outcome
The final prototype is a flat-foldable bench constructed with birch plywood. When unfolded, it provides a stable and visually sculptural seat; when collapsed, it lies completely flat for efficient storage. The geometry references both organic and architectural rhythms, and invites tactile engagement.
CMF & Styling
Surface is designed with neutral finishes — birch and light cashmere tones — allowing it to blend quietly into interior environments while inviting closer inspection through its unique transformation.
Final Outcome
The final prototype is a flat-foldable bench constructed with birch plywood. When unfolded, it provides a stable and visually sculptural seat; when collapsed, it lies completely flat for efficient storage. The geometry references both organic and architectural rhythms, and invites tactile engagement.
CMF & Styling
Surface is designed with neutral finishes — birch and light cashmere tones — allowing it to blend quietly into interior environments while inviting closer inspection through its unique transformation.