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Lido 크게 확장되는 가변형 테이블 · 10 질문
In both Korean and Japanese cultures, when family or friends gather for a meal, people often sit on the floor around a low table placed in the center of the living room.
Your innovative approach to the Lido Expandable Table's transformation from storage box to dining surface is remarkable - could you elaborate on how Korean and Japanese floor dining cultures influenced your design decisions?
In both Korean and Japanese cultures, when family or friends gather for a meal, people often sit on the floor around a low table placed in the center of the living room. While this creates a warm and intimate dining atmosphere, such low tables take up considerable space when not in use. As a result, people tend to rely on multiple small tables or foldable units that require separate storage, which can be both inconvenient and space-consuming.This led me to imagine a table that could remain compact and useful as a storage bench or tea table in daily life, yet easily transform into a spacious floor-level dining table when needed.
The Lido Expandable Table features intriguing gaps between panels that allow light and air to pass through - what inspired this poetic integration of negative space, and how does it enhance both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the design?
In design, materials such as wood are essential, but the spaces between them—the negative spaces—are equally important. By intentionally creating gaps between the structural panels, each element retains its visual independence. Functionally, these openings allow air to circulate and light to enter the storage compartment, preventing moisture buildup.Thus, the negative space contributes both to a refined aesthetic and to a healthier, more practical storage environment.
The engineering behind the Lido Expandable Table's joint leg system appears elegantly simple compared to traditional folding mechanisms - could you walk us through the development process that led to this user-friendly solution?
Traditional folding tables often require users to engage locking mechanisms every time they open or close the table—a cumbersome process that causes many people to leave the table permanently folded or unfolded.I wanted a mechanism that would allow the tabletop to open simply by lifting it, and fold back down just as easily—something intuitive and effortless. However, the simpler the operation, the greater the risk of accidents caused by small user mistakes, so ensuring safety became the most critical challenge.Through repeated refinement, I developed a joint system that balances ease of use with structural stability, enabling smooth operation while maintaining a safe and secure structure.
Your research on couch-to-table distances reveals deep consideration of living spaces - how did these spatial studies shape the Lido Expandable Table's unique ability to adjust its footprint while maintaining functionality?
People engage in many activities while seated on a sofa, and tables often support those activities. However, to comfortably move in and out of the sofa, the table usually needs to be placed at a distance, making it inconvenient to use.I wanted a table whose surface could naturally extend toward the user without pulling the entire table forward. This idea led to a design in which the tabletop unfolds closer to the body, providing comfort and accessibility even in compact living spaces.
The Lido Expandable Table completed development in just four months - what key insights or breakthroughs during this concentrated period enabled you to achieve such an efficient design resolution?
Although the development period was short, the underlying idea had been with me for many years. My earlier work “Prism,” which won a Bronze A'Design Award, also explored similar concepts—making the Lido Table a further evolution of that exploration.The greatest challenge was achieving the most compact folded form possible to minimize its spatial footprint. Multiple rounds of trial and error ultimately enabled me to refine the structure and secure the required stability.
As a craftsperson working with solid hardwood, how does the Lido Expandable Table's design honor traditional Korean woodworking while embracing contemporary minimalist principles?
Traditional Korean craftsmanship has long valued avoiding waste and viewed unnecessary decoration as something shameful. In this sense, Korean artisans have practiced a form of minimalism for centuries. Today, I aim to find the point where this tradition resonates with global sensibilities—a place where Korean heritage and contemporary minimalism coexist harmoniously.
The Lido Expandable Table's versatility as both storage unit and expandable surface seems particularly relevant for modern compact living - how do you envision this multi-functionality addressing future urban housing challenges?
I believe minimalism as a lifestyle will continue to grow. As it does, compact and multifunctional furniture will become increasingly essential. I hope that the concept embodied in this table will become a meaningful reference point—or even a motif—for future furniture designed for efficient urban living.
Could you share how winning the Silver A' Design Award has influenced your approach to furniture design and what this international recognition means for promoting Korean design philosophy?
I am delighted that Korea’s traditional belief in valuing simplicity and respecting the spaces between materials has been recognized globally. I hope Korean design—rooted in this cultural heritage—continues to evolve alongside contemporary minimalism and becomes a design language embraced around the world.
The Lido Expandable Table's transformation sequence appears almost theatrical - what role did user experience play in choreographing this elegant unfolding process?
One of the enjoyable aspects of using everyday furniture is the sense of surprise that comes from transformation. Much like a toy robot that changes form, I wanted the table’s transformation to offer not only convenience but also delight. My goal was for users to feel a sense of wonder as the furniture shifts gracefully into a new function.
Looking at the evolution of the Lido Expandable Table from concept to award-winning design, what advice would you offer to emerging furniture designers about balancing innovation with practicality?
I believe originality is essential. True originality arises from understanding the user’s latent needs and focusing on their fundamental desires. Designers must challenge preconceived notions and overcome what seems impossible to achieve meaningful innovation.
