Woodland Oche Nkedo Uwe by Mingbo Hou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz in Nhazi Ngwá Ụlọ Competition Category.

BronzNgwá Ụlọ· 2026

Woodland Oche Nkedo Uwe

by Mingbo Hou

Client: Mingbo Hou

Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz Winner in Ngwá Ụlọ Category

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The Design

About Woodland Oche Nkedo Uwe

Woodland bụ oche nkedo uwe emere maka obere ebe obibi na ọnụ ụzọ mbata. Oche a jikọtara oche dabara ahụ mma na nchekwa bara uru. Ihe nkwakọ aka ndị e mere ka ha yie alaka osisi na-arụ ọrụ dịka ihe nkedo maka uwe elu, akpa na ihe ndị ọzọ. Azụ oche gbagọrọ agbagọ na-agba onye nọdụrụ ọdụ gburugburu dịka alaka osisi. E ji osisi siri ike nke na-adigide na ígwè e megharịrị emegharị mee Woodland, yana ihe nchacha ojii na-adịghị egbu egbu nke na-enweghị nsi. E ji aka gbagọọ osisi ahụ iji mepụta ọdịdị gbagọrọ agbagọ, e mekwara ka njikọ ya sikwuo ike ka o guzosie ike mgbe ihe dị ya n'elu. Nhazi a na-atụgharị omume a na-ahụkarị nke itinye uwe n'elu oche ka ọ bụrụ nchekwa dị mma.

The Recognition

About the Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz

Woodland Oche Nkedo Uwe meriri A' Design Award nke Bronz, nnabata dị oke ugwu e nyere design ndị pụtara ìhè nke a ma ama maka nzụlite ihe, ọgụgụ isi na nghọta. Ndị meriri na Bronz bụ ihe e mere nke ndị nwere nka nke ukwuu ma dị mma n'imepụta nke na-egosi ahụmahụ buru ibu, echiche na ọgụgụ isi nke ndị designer ha. A na-atụ anya na Woodland Oche Nkedo Uwe ga-abụ ihe a na-asọpụrụ nke ukwuu, a na-eto na a hụrụ n'anya, nke dị oke ọrụ ma dị ọhụrụ. Design a meriri A' Design Award nke Bronz na-agụnye ụzọ kacha mma n'ime nka, sayensị, design na teknụzụ, ma dị mma nke ukwuu maka nlebara anya ya n'obere ihe. Woodland Oche Nkedo Uwe na-emezu mkpa nke ọma, na-emetụ ọchịchọ aka, na-adọrọ mmetụta obi ma na-adọta ọchịchọ ịmara.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: The Tree-Branch Coat Rack Chair is a multifunctional piece of furniture that combines ergonomic seating with practical storage. Its unique branch-shaped armrests function as hooks for clothes and accessories, making it ideal for small living areas and entryways. The design balances beauty and utility, providing users with a modern interior solution that is both functional and distinctive. It expresses a lifestyle that values simplicity, comfort, and individuality.
Dimensions & Packaging: Dimensions: 1800 mm (height) x 900 mm (width) x 550 mm (depth) Weight: 6 kg Materials: Sustainable hardwood, recycled steel Load Capacity: 150 kg (seating), 20 kg (hanging) Finish: Non-toxic, matte sealant Color Options: Black
Tags: Branch-shaped chair, multifunctional furniture, sustainable design, biomimicry, ergonomic seating, eco-friendly materials, modern furniture, space-saving design, organic aesthetics, innovative furniture
Production Technology: The chair is made from sustainable hardwood and recycled steel, ensuring both durability and environmental responsibility. The production process involves hand-bending wood to create the curved, wrapping form, then mechanically cutting and manually refining it. The joints are reinforced with eco-friendly adhesives and fasteners to ensure structural stability. The surface is finished with a matte black, non-toxic coating for a stylish and modern appearance.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was balancing the organic branch-like structure with overall stability. Achieving this required repeated prototyping and testing to ensure it could support both sitting and hanging functions. Another challenge was sourcing sustainable materials without sacrificing durability. The final result is a design that successfully combines visual impact with reliable performance.
Research: The design process included qualitative research on biomimicry and ergonomics, focusing on the structural characteristics of tree branches. User testing was carried out to improve comfort and function, and material studies explored sustainable options. The findings inspired the organic form and multifunctional features of the chair, creating a design that combines beauty, practicality, and environmental awareness. The research also shows how nature-inspired solutions can help create personalized, emotionally engaging home furniture.
Inspiration: One day, after coming home, I casually threw my jacket over a chair. That simple habit inspired me-what if the chair itself looked like a tree, turning a careless gesture into a thoughtful act of storage? I designed a curved backrest that wraps around the sitter like branches. Each hung garment makes the “tree” seem to grow. Placed at the entrance, it lets users hang accessories freely and express a stylish, personal lifestyle.
Project Duration: The project started in Okinawa, Japan, in October 2024 and was completed in December 2024. It was exhibited at the Tokyo Furniture Fair in March 2025 and at the Milan Design Week in April 2025.
Operation Flow: This chair offers an intuitive experience. Users can sit comfortably on its ergonomically designed seat while hanging coats, bags, or accessories on the branched armrests. The well-balanced structure ensures stability even when fully loaded. Its dual function naturally integrates sitting and storage, turning everyday actions into pleasant, seamless interactions within living spaces.
Image Credits: Mingbo Hou