Kawadoko Apyka by Shih An Ko is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award Brónse in Mba'epyru Jejapo Competition Category.

BrónseMba'epyru· 2021

Kawadoko Apyka

by Shih An Ko

Client: Chieh Nan Ko Architects

A' Design Award Brónse Winner in Mba'epyru Category

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Verified Award Winner
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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Kawadoko Apyka

Kawadoko ha'e apyka yvyra'ígui ojejapóva oñeme'ẽ hag̃ua pytu'u arahakúgui. Héra ojehechauka umi tenda ojejapóva ysyry ári Japón-pe arahakúpe, upépe yvypóra oñemyatyrõ ysyry osyryryhápe. Apyka ojejapo yvyra oak morotĩgui, oiporu hag̃ua mortise ha tenon jokoha, ha yvyra ñemopu'ã, ha ohupyty avei tradisiónape oĩva yvyra ogyryapy apopyre. Umi apyka rendaguasu apytépe oĩ pa'ũ puku, upéva rupive yvytu ohasa ha oheja apyka guapy juayhu porãve. Apyka guapy ha'e tuichaiteve umi ambueguáva gua'u, upévare umi oiporúva ikatu oguapy hikuái ipy jokohápe térã opyta oñeno hag̃ua opytu'u. Umi apyka rendaguasu apy apytépe ijyvatéva ombojoapy jehecha ipoguýpe, ojeporu hag̃ua umi ombojere jave apyka.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Brónse

Kawadoko Apyka ohupyty A' Design Award Brónse, peteĩ ñehechakuaa heta prestigioso oñeme'ẽva diseño sobresaliente-pe ojekuaáva creatividad, ingenio ha astucia rupi. Umi ganador Brónse ha'e artefacto hábil ha creativo ohechaukáva experiencia, imaginación ha recurso umi diseñador-pe. Oñeha'ãrõ Kawadoko Apyka ha'eha peteĩ objeto ojehayhúva, admirado ha estimado, profesional ha innovador. Ko diseño ohupytýva A' Design Award Brónse ombojoaju mejor práctica arte, ciencia, diseño ha tecnología rehegua ha iporãiterei detalle rehe. Kawadoko Apyka ombohory necesidad, ohupyty ipotapy, ombovy'a sentimiento ha ohenói curiosidad.

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.