Gold Furniture Design · 2020
Dhyan Chaise Lounge Concept
- A' Design Award 2020 Gold Winner in Furniture Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: Karimeen Inc.
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 61,010
- Verification code 8CD40ECE8E · Verify this award
About Dhyan Chaise Lounge Concept
Dyhan lounge concept combines modern design with traditional eastern ideas and principles of inner peace by connecting with nature. Using the Lingam as form inspiration & the Bodhi-tree and Japanese gardens as a basis on the concept's modules, Dhyan (sanskrit for meditate) transforms the eastern philosophies into varied configurations, allowing the user to choose his/her path to zen/relaxation. The water-pond mode surrounds the user with a waterfall & pond, while the garden mode surrounds the user with greenery. The standard mode contains storage areas under a platform that acts as a shelf.
Positioned at the intersection of furniture design and sculptural art practice, this work represents a significant contribution to the ongoing evolution of the chaise lounge typology that traces its lineage from ancient reclining forms through the modernist innovations of designers who transformed functional seating into statements of aesthetic philosophy. The designer appears to engage with the phenomenology of rest and contemplation, creating a form that suggests the body's journey from active engagement to meditative repose through its graduated incline and enveloping contours. The technical achievement evident in the seamless integration of disparate materials demonstrates sophisticated understanding of contemporary manufacturing possibilities, where translucent polymeric shells, precision-upholstered surfaces, and refined metalwork converge in harmonious dialogue. The dual-shell construction may reference natural protective forms such as seed cases or marine vessels, suggesting themes of nurture, journey, and safe harbor that resonate with the meditative intention implied by the design's name. The warm amber undertones of the secondary shell create luminous depth that activates when light passes through, potentially transforming the object's character throughout daily light cycles. The restrained color palette speaks to a design philosophy that prioritizes material honesty and allows the sculptural form itself to command attention rather than relying on chromatic excitement. One might observe how the elevated circular table extends an invitation for mindful tea ceremony or contemplative reading, suggesting the designer's consideration of the complete meditative experience rather than seating alone. What rituals of stillness might this form inspire in those who encounter it?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- In order to alleviate stress and achieve relaxation and "zen", Dhyan's modularity provides users with 3 environments to choose from: Standard mode (with storage), Garden mode (with side planters) and Water-Pond mode (with waterfall fountain). The design amalgamates eastern philosophies by encouraging solace with the elements of nature. Garden mode surrounds you with plants/trees while Water-Pond mode surrounds you with water and the sound of falling water, which is relaxing and considered good feng shui.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- general dimensions of the concept: L 2010mm, W 1010mm, H 875mm (standard mode), H 1062mm (including LED lamp)
- Tags
- zen, relaxation, pond, waterfall, garden, meditation, contemplation
- Design Challenge
- finding a way to maintain the original concept of a shiva-linga form while trying to make the design appear light and elegant was quite challenging. Initial designs had very bulky bases, until I was inspired by looking at premium European furniture, and decided to go in a minimalist and "light" direction.
- Project Duration
- The project is conceptual and took 3 months from idea to what you see now. It started as a sketch as a "shiva-linga"-inspired chair design, and later I discovered there was more potential in its form and spent the next few months refining the idea of the chair as a form of escape from stress.
- Operation Flow
- The chair can be standalone or connected by a power source to power the USB charger on the tablet and LED lamp, as well as the water pump (pond mode). The lamp and tablet are optional extras, and can be retrofitted. standard mode has extra storage compartments behind and beside the seat.
- Inspiration
- For most working people, the daily stress of work is a hassle. Sometimes all you want at the end of the day is to relax in a contemplative/meditative environment. Inspired by the form of the Shiva Linga, the Bodhi Tree and Japanese gardens, the idea was to create a space where one's state of mind is at peace. It is quite apparent upon observation that proximity to nature brings about a more relaxing mindset, and I aimed to bring that into the home in a more intimate way, especially for urban dwellers who lack much contact with nature.
Colors of Dhyan Chaise Lounge Concept
Get Dhyan Chaise Lounge Concept
Custom Furniture and Product Design Services
We specialize in creating innovative furniture and product designs that blend modern aesthetics with contemplative Eastern philosophies. Our award-winning approach transforms everyday objects into meaningful experiences, from zen-inspired furniture to thoughtful consumer products.
G0E3 ShopDesign Interview about Dhyan Chaise Lounge Concept
For most working people, the daily grind of work is a stressful hassle. Sometimes all you want at the end of the day is to relax in an environment where your worries and stress can temporarily vanish, and you feel free to contemplate. Most find solace in the elements of nature, like a garden or pond, where the greenery or the sound of water brings peace to the mind. This pursuit of peace was my inspiration to create this chaise lounge concept.
My main focus was to create a space for a person to relax after a tough day of work. In an urban setting, having a close contact with the elements of nature is not easy, so I wanted to bring the elements of nature to the user, so as for the user to feel more at peace surrounding himself/herself with the sound of running water or with greenery.
I intend to further develop the design in order to asses its feasibility in fabrication and manufacturing. I hope to then propose my design to manufacturers in order to look into its production. Another plan I have is to evolve this design to other variations, like a love seat, or a smaller version.
It took me a couple of weeks to work on the draft idea, and then about two months of development on the design.
I had initially done a rough sketch of a chaise lounge chair inspired by the form of a Shiva-linga. The design had space for a potted plant at the back, which made it appear as if the user was a Buddha sitting under the tree of enlightenment. After taking a few looks at the design, I felt that the concept was worth expanding upon, and hence I decided to further develop the chaise lounge.
The Dhyan is my design, so no company is currently producing it. However, I would definitely consider leasing the production rights to a manufacturing/fabrication company.
I was inspired by Jean Marie Massaud's chair "Terminal-1" for B&B Italia. Stumbling upon that chair while searching for inspiration helped me resolve the issues I had on how to design the base of the chaise lounge concept.
The target customer is a businessperson for his/her living room area or drawing room. I also see applications in airport lounges, and recreational/relaxation spaces in large corporate offices.
I think that the active integration of natural elements into the design rather than placing the chaise lounge next to natural elements makes this design distinctive among other similar concepts. Similar concepts have been used for public seating, but this design is meant for you and you alone.
The name Dhyan is a Sanskrit word for "Meditate" or "Meditation". I felt that the meaning of the name suited the mood and intent of my design to be a place for contemplation and peace.
I started with sketching on my sketchbook using a fine-nib copic multiliner. Afterwards I did a couple of pencil sketches before going into digital sketches, using my Wacom and SketchbookPro. I finally used Solidworks and Keyshot to do my 3D+renders, and used Photoshop to do post-processing of my renders.
I think the ability of the user to choose between 3 types of zen makes my design pretty unique. Sometimes the user would like the chair design without the greenery and water-pond features, and he/she could still utilize the storage compartments and the platform/shelf on the chaise.
The tablet and lamp are the two main accessory options for the Dhyan. The tablet has a USB charge port to charge your device, while the LED lamp has seamlessly integrated dimmer. The seat shell of the Dhyan contains an empty space to install a water pump which is used in the water-pond mode. The pump would stream the water out of the 3 holes located at the backrest, which become tiny waterfalls. The objective is to create that constant ripple on the water-pond, as well as create the sound of splashing water, which is therapeutic and relaxing.
Designing the base was the toughest challenge I had, as it had to look elegant and matching with the seat design. My initial base design was very bulky, and after several iterations and inspirations from other designs (like Terminal 1 by B&B Italia), I figured a way to create a base that could maintain its storage capabilities yet also have a sleek and slim appearance with gentle curves and thin legs at the corners.
As I was developing the initial concept of the Dhyan, I felt that it had a potential to win a design award. I then dedicated a whole month into refining the idea before deciding to submit my design as an entry.
Grand Interview about Dhyan Chaise Lounge Concept
I designed several iterations of the chair and in the process of trial and error, came across a form that justified the essence of the Shiva Linga form while maintaining visual lightness.
I had initially planned on focusing on a garden only. Afterwards, I realized that focusing on a singular mode may be too specific, and such a form could do with more variations. I decided to go with 3 modes to show that the design could be adapted to fit different desires of customers. The standard is useful for storage, where you could place books. The water-pond is meant to provide good feng-shui with the sound of running water, and the feeling that you are surrounded by a shallow pond. The garden is inspired by the peace people get when they are close to nature and plants, and depending on the plants used, can even provide natural shade.
one chief technical challenge was how to ensure that the furniture doesn't provide any chance of leaking liquid, and this was met by creating a single-piece shell that would contain the water. another aspect was to keep the water shallow so as to reduce the water mass and save weight, while still maintaining the "pond" aesthetic and feeling.
Living in many cities, I have seen and experienced first hand the calming effect nature provides to someone who is constantly busy. The sad part is, many cities don't have sufficient green spaces, nor do they have sufficient greenery around apartment buildings and hi-rises. In such situations one needs to travel far from home to be surrounded by nature. I feel that with the Dhyan Chaise Lounge Concept, one could temporarily immerse themselves in natural surroundings without leaving their house.
The initial sketch was a very bulky design with a small tree behind the seat. it took several iterations to smoothen the design. The bottom half of the chair was inspired by work from contemporary furniture design, like those from Jean Marie Massaud. Lifting the bulk form from the ground and suspending it with thin legs achieved the "floating lightness" emotion I was aiming for
I realized that be it the water-pond, garden, or standard versions, the Dhyan Chaise Lounge needed space to accommodate these features. Providing space for soil, water, or champagne glasses & wine meant that smart storage solutions had to be made without compromising the form and shape of the chair. since the seat had a narrow contact area with the 'floating base', it provided space on the sides as well, and that meant even more practical storage space.
I believe that Dhyan Chaise Lounge Concept strives to showcase balance & contrast, following minimalist cues of modern design, but still harking back to ancient forms. Sometimes the best way of moving forward in design is to look back and learn from our past, and I think the Dhyan Chaise Lounge Concept aims to do that in a subtle manner. It shows that ancient forms and beliefs can still be relevant in our modern times.
I worked in furniture for many years, especially on workspace furniture design, and I believe that even though the design focuses on meditation & inner peace, one still needs to be pragmatic & provide some modern creature comforts to the user. The LED lighting would allow one to read while immersed in his/her nature, and the USB charging still allows the user to be in touch with technology if he/she wishes, especially if you'd like to play meditative music through the phone.
I believe that the Dhyan Chaise Lounge works as a design due to its proportions. the long lean-back attitude visually invites the user to lie down, while the plants or water pond allures the user with sight & sound. The rear end of the design was intentionally kept as constrained as possible, so as to avoid occupying excessive space. Even excessive size can conflict with inner peace, as it can become imposing. I wanted the design to be elegant and soothing.
I envision the Dhyan Chaise Lounge Concept to influence a more sensory field of furniture design, where a person is more aware of their senses & able to turn off their thoughts for a brief moment in time. I believe furniture should not just provide visual emotion but sensory emotion. With the sounds of nature like the water pond & sights of nature like the garden mode, I hope Dhyan Chaise Lounge Concept inspires more furniture design with a more intimate connection with nature or meditation.