Hopper Chaise by Takashi Niwa is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 A' Design Award de Bronze in Design de Mobilier Competition Category.

BronzeMobilier· 2022

Hopper Chaise

by Takashi Niwa

Client: Takashi Niwa

A' Design Award de Bronze Winner in Mobilier Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #137986

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Hopper Chaise

Hopper est une chaise en bois conçue pour une assise décontractée. La structure à double courbure, dotée d'un profil sur mesure, favorise le confort et confère à la chaise une forme dynamique. Trois arêtes du profil sont arrondies aux endroits où le corps entre en contact avec la chaise, tandis qu'une arête vive subsiste pour souligner la silhouette générale. L'angle d'inclinaison se prolonge en accoudoirs et dossiers aux lignes fluides. Les panneaux d'appui et de soutien apportent légèreté et stabilité structurelle. Les pièces ont été réalisées par usinage CNC cinq axes, puis assemblées à la main.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronze

Hopper Chaise est lauréat de l'A' Design Award de Bronze, une reconnaissance hautement prestigieuse décernée à des designs remarquables qui se distinguent par leur créativité, leur ingéniosité et leur sagacité. Les lauréats Bronze sont des artefacts amplement habiles et d'une créativité frappante, qui authentifient la vaste expérience, l'imagination et l'ingéniosité de leurs concepteurs. Hopper Chaise est censé être un objet très estimé, admiré et chéri, remarquablement professionnel et innovant. Ce design lauréat de l'A' Design Award de Bronze intègre les meilleures pratiques de l'art, de la science, du design et de la technologie, et est excellent par son souci du détail. Hopper Chaise satisfait admirablement les besoins, touche les désirs, charme les sentiments et attire la curiosité.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: The double curved wood frame with customized profile ensures comfort while also enhancing the dynamic form of the chair. The profile has its three corners filletted where the body is in contact with the chair. On the other hand, one strong edge still remains to highlight the overall gesture and appears with higher contrast under the lighting effect.
Dimensions & Packaging: 550 x 645 x 800
Tags: furniture, chair, ergonomic, wood
Production Technology: With high quality requirement and subtle details, the chair’s parts were made using 5 axis CNC for finishing accuration. A technician with 20 years of experience in craftsmanship then worked to assemble these parts and details together.
Design Challenge: It was a challenge to ensure structure and rigidity with the chair’s significant curves and incline without losing the purity of the form. Various testing took place to study different relationships between front legs and back legs’ curve and angle. Supporting structural frames and joints were then added underneath the seat to ensure stability.
Research: Throughout the design process, there were many studies on the overall form to reveal strong gestures with simplicity. After multiple iterations of the leg and frame profile, a scale model was 3d printed for mock up before sending the final design to the factory.
Inspiration: Hopper Chair with its reclined ergonomics invites the users to sit back and relax. The signature double curves form an energizing and friendly gesture, which recalls a joyful spirit of hopping. When not in use, Hopper Chair is still a spark of joy in the space.
Project Duration: The project was designed in Hanoi, Vietnam in May 2021 and finished in Binh Duong, Vietnam in February 2022
Operation Flow: With a welcoming gesture, Hopper Chair offers its user to relax with comfort. The reclined angle with a smooth curve turns into pleasant armrests and backrests. The double curved frame is designed to give light and open feelings with resting and support panels, which also enhance structural stability.
Team Members: Takashi Niwa
Image Credits: Naoto Ohike