Interviste con Wenhan Zhang

The Season Stool was designed while I was living in Chicago, a city with high rent, especially for recent graduates and young professionals with only a few years of work experience. With a limited budget, it can be challenging to afford spacious apartments in urban areas, so maximizing the use of smaller spaces becomes essential. Living where every square foot matters makes multifunctional furniture indispensable. The Season Stool addresses this need by providing storage in a way that keeps living spaces uncluttered and visually cohesive.In my opinion, millennials tend to value minimalist, clean aesthetics with a strong emphasis on sustainability and practicality.

Harmony in design can sometimes be challenging to achieve, but the modular design approach helps address this issue. When I think about applying different functions to a single object, my first priority is to ensure visual consistency. Once that is established, balancing the different functions becomes more manageable. To maintain both aesthetic appeal and practical usability, I had to carefully balance structural integrity with form.

By sourcing materials from certified sustainable forestry, I ensure that the wood used in the stool comes from responsibly managed forests that prioritize biodiversity and reduce deforestation. Additionally, using low-formaldehyde materials helps to create a healthier indoor environment by reducing harmful emissions, contributing to both the well-being of the users and the planet. It’s a holistic approach to sustainability—considering not only the environmental impact during production but also the long-term effects on the user and the space it inhabits.For me, environmentally conscious design goes beyond choosing sustainable materials; it’s about integrating durability, recyclability, and health-consciousness into every piece.

First, I define the problem I am trying to solve. Then, I establish the stool's fundamental characteristics. I wanted it to have a simple form, yet be rich in purpose. The goal was to keep the design minimalist to avoid clashing with other elements, while still allowing it to enhance the space. To ensure the stool complements various interior styles, I kept the lines clean and the details minimal. At the same time, we offer a variety of finish options for customers to choose from. After the initial concept, I focused on refining the details—small, thoughtful touches like rounded edges for comfort and subtle joins that add visual interest without disrupting the overall simplicity.

Unlike traditional storage solutions that often rely on simple latches or covers, the leather pull provides an inviting, ergonomic interface for accessing hidden storage. It offers a natural tactile connection between the user and the object, adding a sense of elegance and craftsmanship to the piece.

During COVID, I noticed a shift in people's needs for multifunctionality, adaptability, and comfort in their living environments. This led me to rethink the design of the Season Stool, with a focus on maximizing storage capacity while keeping mobility and ease of use at the forefront.

Ergonomics played a crucial role in the design of the Season Stool. For example, the stool’s height, seat diameter, and shape were carefully calculated to ensure optimal comfort and proper use. However, the dimensions were slightly off after the product was made.

The wooden base features rubber-cushioned metal glides for easy mobility and floor protection, which are not visible unless you flip the stool. Additionally, a special anti-abrasion coating has been applied to ensure that, even with repeated movement. The coating also prevents scuffing and wear, helping to maintain the stool's aesthetic over time.

As an interior designer, furniture plays an important role in interior spaces. Though small, it has significant characteristics and reflects the designer’s design philosophy, showcasing how they apply these principles to objects. From an interior architecture standpoint, I focused on the stool’s functionality, ensuring it serves more than just as a seat. Modern urban living demands furniture that can adapt to multiple needs within small spaces, and the Season Stool is designed to meet this need by incorporating hidden storage. This practical element stems from my understanding of spatial efficiency and the importance of multi-functional furniture in contemporary interiors.

I envision the design evolving in several ways to meet the future challenges of urban living while maintaining its core principles of flexibility and functionality. Flexibility and functionality will always be at the heart of the design, but in the future, we may need to emphasize modularity and customization to better adapt to various living spaces and user needs. Sustainability and eco-friendliness will remain key considerations, and we could explore the use of more recycled materials or eco-friendly manufacturing processes. Last but not least, integrating more technology into the design will also be essential to enhance its functionality.

I noticed that many urban spaces are limited in size, making it challenging to meet people’s diverse needs. This inspired me to create a piece of furniture that could deliver multiple functions within a compact area, catering to the lifestyle of modern urban dwellers. In the early deign phase, I focused on integrating “hidden storage” and “seating.” These two functions not only save space but also provide practical convenience for users in their daily lives. Later, in order to make it more connivence, I inserted plug, it make the furniture still like one piece.

When I designed this piece, I considered what type of space would suit it best. My intent was to create it for hospitality and workplace settings, which is why I incorporated boundaries for privacy.

When designing the 2 in 1 Multifunctional Furniture, I aimed to create a piece that not only has a warm, natural aesthetic but also provides comfort and ergonomics in use. I chose solid oak for its durability, tactile quality, and natural grain, while incorporating recycled materials to reinforce the sustainability aspect of the design. This material combination balances both beauty and eco-friendliness, aligning with my overall vision for the space and furniture, allowing users to feel comfortable and at ease.

Some design firms have integrated free-addressing seating methods in their offices, providing a variety of seating options. The reason I incorporated power integration is that I considered how people often need to take breaks from work, and this lounge-like seating allows for that flexibility and convenience.

One key issue was balancing ergonomics with design. I had to ensure that the piece provided comfort for people of different body types, which involved careful consideration of seating depth, height, and back support. At the same time, I didn't want to compromise the sleek, minimalist design. I solved this by integrating adjustable elements and thoughtful proportions, allowing the piece to adapt to different users without losing its visual elegance.

When designing the 2 in 1 Multifunctional Furniture, environmental considerations were central to my decision-making. Choosing FSC-certified wood and recycled materials was not only about enhancing sustainability but also about aligning with my vision for material quality and natural aesthetics.

Multifunctionality is the key element that influenced my design approach. Furniture should not only serve basic functions but also resonate emotionally with users. This perspective has led me to prioritize user experience in subsequent projects, with the goal of creating designs that offer people a greater sense of comfort and satisfaction in their spaces.

The multifunctional nature of the piece allows it to adapt to various situations, whether it's used for work, relaxation, or as a social spot, aligning with the flexibility modern lifestyles require. By creating a piece that users can integrate into different moments of their daily routines, I aim to foster a lasting emotional connection.

Winning the Silver A' Design Award has significantly influenced both the market response and the future development of the 2 in 1 Multifunctional Furniture. The recognition has increased visibility and credibility, allowing the design to reach a broader audience and attract interest from both consumers and industry professionals.

First, flexibility and adaptability will be increasingly important, especially in multifunctional furniture. As work environments continue to evolve with the rise of hybrid and remote work models, furniture designs will need to offer greater adjustability to meet a variety of needs.Second, integration of technology will have a profound impact on future furniture design. As smart devices become more integrated into daily life, furniture will evolve from static objects to smart platforms that connect with the user’s digital world. Circular design will focus on material sustainability and reuse. With growing environmental awareness, consumers are increasingly opting for products made from recyclable or renewable materials.