Interview about Triad Stool, winner of the A' Furniture Design Award 2025
Triad is a stool designed with triangular geometry to provide stability while optimizing space. Made from bent and welded metal sheets, it has a durable structure and a slightly concave seat for comfort. Its light form allows for easy movement, making it suitable for different places. With no assembly required, Triad is designed for use in homes, cafes, and shared spaces. Its geometric design ensures material efficiency while keeping a practical approach to seating.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe triangular geometry was chosen as both a structural and symbolic element. Structurally, a triangle offers natural stability with minimal material use — ideal for compact modern interiors. Conceptually, the three sides represent balance among function, form, and emotion. I wanted to express how a simple geometric form could serve as an elegant foundation for human-centered design.
Through ergonomic studies and scale modeling, I found that subtle adjustments to seat height and leg inclination could significantly affect both comfort and visual balance. The stool’s compact footprint was refined to support various sitting postures while maintaining a sense of openness. Every dimension was validated through user testing to ensure intuitive comfort without visual heaviness.
I approached the design as a dialogue between engineering and craft. Using CNC bending allowed for consistent curvature and reduced waste, while TIG welding provided seamless joints that enhanced both strength and aesthetics. Finite element simulations and load tests guided the material thickness, ensuring maximum durability with minimum steel usage.
Metal sheet offered both structural lightness and recyclability. I was inspired by the idea of permanence in minimalism — creating a product that lasts physically and emotionally. By optimizing nesting layouts for laser cutting, material waste was minimized, aligning with my goal of sustainable, efficient production without compromising aesthetics.
Living in Okinawa, I was deeply influenced by the calm rhythm of island life and the appreciation for space and simplicity found in Japanese design. The stool embodies this mindset — quiet, balanced, and adaptable. Its modest form reflects the harmony between nature and everyday human activity that characterizes Okinawan living.
The curvature emerged through multiple rounds of 1:1 prototypes and user feedback. I experimented with various radii using thin plywood mockups to test comfort levels during short and extended seating. The final concavity was determined where users reported a natural sense of stability and ease without additional padding.
During testing, I discovered that the triangular structure distributed weight more evenly than expected, allowing for thinner material without loss of strength. This led to an unexpected lightness and portability. I also found that the stool’s angular leg configuration created a visually dynamic effect when viewed from different perspectives — enhancing its sculptural quality.
I treated the triangle as a flexible framework rather than a fixed shape. By adjusting proportions, finishes, and color tones, the stool could harmonize with different contexts — from modern apartments to public lounges. The consistent geometric identity ensures recognizability, while subtle variations respond to spatial atmosphere and user needs.
I believe the Triad Stool demonstrates how traditional structural wisdom can coexist with digital fabrication. It shows that minimal forms can carry emotional warmth when crafted with precision and purpose. I hope this approach encourages future designers to blend engineering logic with cultural sensitivity to create sustainable and meaningful furniture.
The most influential aspect is the integration of form and efficiency — using geometry as a design language to reduce volume while maintaining presence. In dense urban settings, furniture must serve not only as tools but as spatial companions. Triad proposes that simplicity, when deeply considered, can create emotional resonance even in the smallest spaces.
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