Interview about Pinch Chair, winner of the A' Furniture Design Award 2023
The Pinch Chair is a unibody, stackable, plastic chair that reimagines traditional designs with a fresh aesthetic more suited to contemporary architecture and landscapes. Designed with a unibody logic, the plastic sheet transforms into a complete chair with simple pinching and pulling moves. Its seamless, cohesive appearance creates an intuitive and dynamic visual image. The design allows for stacking during storage and stable placement on a dining table when flipped upside down, which is convenient for restaurant staff to clean the floor when closing.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsAt Medium2 Studio, while designing the Pinch Chair, we aimed to explore monocoque technology to achieve maximum functionality with minimal materials and processes. We experimented with various forms and ultimately drew inspiration from the act of "pinching." By envisioning the simple pinch of a plastic sheet to shape it, the Pinch Chair achieves a seamless aesthetic while maintaining structural stability. This design process allows the chair to deliver a striking visual and functional breakthrough.
Through conversations with restaurant owners, we learned that stackability and ease of storage are top priorities when selecting chairs. Additionally, many restaurant staff expressed a desire for chairs that facilitate floor cleaning after closing. With this in mind, we designed a chair that can be inverted and placed on tabletops, allowing staff to clean floors more efficiently. Our goal is to create a chair that not only meets the practical needs of owners but also retains aesthetic appeal and creativity.
The design philosophy at Medium2 Studio is to seamlessly blend aesthetics with functionality. The Pinch Chair’s appearance is sleek and contemporary, with fluid lines that add a sense of movement and lightness while retaining structural stability. We thoroughly studied modern furniture design language as a foundation, then focused on user needs and made ergonomic adjustments to ensure it not only looks beautiful but also offers comfort and practical functionality suited for restaurant use.
One of the main technical challenges we faced in designing the Pinch Chair was ensuring that this monocoque plastic structure could be reliably molded and maintain durability in actual production. We utilized 3D software for strength simulations and carefully examined mold release angles and draft angles for feasibility. Currently, the chair has yet to enter mass production, and we are seeking a furniture brand or manufacturer interested in bringing this innovative design to life. Through collaboration with potential manufacturers, we aim to overcome technical challenges and develop production-ready molds, making this design a reality and bringing our vision for the chair to the market.
The inspiration came from observing simple, everyday actions. We noticed that "Pinch & Pull" is a natural form-shaping gesture, which inspired me to apply this motion to chair design. By imagining the pinch of a plastic sheet, we created a structure full of tension and fluidity. This form retains the familiarity of traditional plastic chairs but infuses it with a fresh design language, making it feel both approachable and forward-thinking.
This functionality evolved gradually through conversations with restaurant owners. They expressed a need for chairs that could be lifted off the floor for easier floor cleaning while also being quickly returned to their positions. Understanding this requirement, we considered how the chair could be inverted and securely placed on a tabletop. Through ongoing experimentation and refinement, we finalized the seat shape with a design that includes a practical, structural line, allowing the chair to rest stably on the table. This not only eases cleaning for staff but also enhances the chair’s versatility.
Our size design is based on ergonomic considerations to ensure user comfort. Additionally, the dimensions are designed with stackability and space efficiency in mind, facilitating storage. After repeated testing, we selected dimensions of 549mm x 558mm x 822mm, which optimally meet the needs of various settings while achieving a balance between structure and appearance.
Our team has been fully dedicated over the past few months, working closely together through every stage—from research and ideation to design and model validation. We made extensive use of VR equipment in the creative and form-evaluation phases, enabling us to conduct multiple rapid iterations. By reviewing shapes in VR, we were able to reduce the need for unnecessary physical prototypes. This efficient collaboration allowed us to complete this innovative design within a short timeframe.
The design of the Pinch Chair takes into account the demands of a restaurant setting. Its modern form makes it a focal point in any space, while its functional features align with the expectations of restaurant owners. We are committed to creating a chair that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical, meeting the dual needs of visual appeal and functionality for restaurants. This design responds to the market’s desire for high-quality commercial furniture.
The success of the Pinch Chair has shown us that modern commercial furniture design can seamlessly combine innovation and practicality. This design demonstrates the potential of monocoque technology to the market, and we believe that future commercial furniture will increasingly emphasize simplicity, aesthetics, and integrated functionality. The Pinch Chair offers a fresh option for the hospitality industry and opens up new possibilities for furniture in future commercial spaces.
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