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Kawadoko Bank by Shih An Ko

Kawadoko Bank by Shih An Ko is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award in Brons in Meubelontwerp Competition Category.


BronsMeubels· 2021

Kawadoko Bank

by Shih An Ko

Client: Chieh Nan Ko Architects

A' Design Award in Brons Winner in Meubels Category

Colors

The Design

About Kawadoko Bank

Kawadoko is 'n houtbank wat ontwerp is om verligting van somerhitte te bied. Die naam verwys na platforms wat in Japan gedurende die somer oor riviere gebou word, waar mense langs vloeiende water afkoel. Die bank is van wit eikehout gemaak, met gebruik van pen-en-gat-verbindings en houtdraaiwerk, en volg die struktuur van tradisionele houtargitektuur. Lang gapings tussen die sitplekstawe laat lug deurgaan vir 'n verkoelende sitervaring. Die sitplek is breër as gemiddeld, sodat gebruikers kruisbeen kan sit of kan gaan lê om te rus. Die afgeronde stafrande dien as handvatsels wanneer die bank verskuif word.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Brons

Kawadoko Bank is 'n wenner van die A' Design Award in Brons, 'n hoogs prestigieuse erkenning wat toegeken word aan uitstaande ontwerpe wat gekenmerk word deur kreatiwiteit, vindingrykheid en skerpsinnigheid. Wenners in Brons is ruimskoots vaardige en opvallend kreatiewe artefakte wat die groot ervaring, verbeelding en vindingrykheid van hul ontwerpers bevestig. Daar word verwag dat Kawadoko Bank 'n hoog aangeskrewe, bewonderde en gekoesterde voorwerp is wat merkwaardig professioneel en innoverend is. Hierdie ontwerp wat die A' Design Award in Brons gewen het, inkorporeer die beste praktyke in kuns, wetenskap, ontwerp en tegnologie en is uitstekend vanweë sy aandag aan detail. Kawadoko Bank bevredig behoeftes pragtig, raak aan begeertes, bekoor gevoelens en spreek die nuuskierigheid aan.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
Inspired by the memories of kawadoko, this bench is specially designed for escaping from the summer heat. The long gaps between the seat create a cool and well-ventilated sitting experience, and the rods that make up the seat are cut into flat surfaces to ensure comfort, while the edges remain circular, similar to the shape of bamboo, and serve as handles when moving the chair.
Dimensions & Packaging
Width 430mm x Depth 1520mm x Height 460mm
Tags
bench, summer, nature, furniture
Production Technology
Production: tenon and mortise techniques, woodturning
Material: white oak
Design Challenge
The biggest challenge is the making of the 1.5 meters-long wooden rods, which requires customized jigs to stabilize during the making process. And the burnt marks on the curved surface, after several attempts,have been successfully erased using certain techniques.
Research
The project has explored the wooden structure of traditional Japanese architecture, and transformed it into the constructive concept of the design. Another research is about the relevance between furniture and human body scale,and how our body reacts in different circumstances, as these are the factors that refined the prototype in the process.
Inspiration
Kawadoko, which mean river floors, are patios built over the river by restaurants in Kibune during the summer. While kawadoko are temporary, they are quite sturdy-built with wood and bamboo.
In Kibune, people are only a few feet above the river as they can enjoy the sound of water, the breeze, and the mist.
Thinking Kawadoko as a pleasant escape from the summer heat, the design aims to evoke memories of kawadoko, bringing a sense of coolness into daily life.
Project Duration
The project started in August, 2020 and finished in January, 2021, Taiwan.
Operation Flow
The scale and dimension of this project has been carefully arranged to achieve a friendly user experience. The width of the bench is wider than the average, so that user can easily sit cross-legged or even lie down to rest. The height of the shelf is in exact position where the hands are naturally dropping,which means anything on the shelf are within reach.the round rods serve as handles when moving the bench. In addition, a foldable cushion can be used during winter to ensure comfort.

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