Kawadoko Bank by Shih An Ko is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award an Bronze in Miwwelendesign Competition Category.

BronzeMiwwelen· 2021

Kawadoko Bank

by Shih An Ko

Client: Chieh Nan Ko Architects

A' Design Award an Bronze Winner in Miwwelen Category

10,844

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #121535

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Kawadoko Bank

Kawadoko ass eng hëlzen Bank, déi entwéckelt gouf, fir Erliichterung vun der Summerhëtzt ze bidden. Den Numm bezitt sech op Plattformen, déi zu Japan am Summer iwwer Flëss gebaut ginn, wou d'Leit sech nieft dem fléissenden Waasser ofkillen. D'Bank ass aus Wäisseeche gemaach, mat Zapfeverbindungen a Holzdréien hiergestallt, a follegt der Struktur vun der traditioneller hëlzener Architektur. Laang Ofstänn tëscht de Sëtzstäbe erlaben der Loft duerchzegoen, fir e kille Sëtzerliefnes. De Sëtz ass méi breet wéi normal, sou datt d'Benotzer mat gekräizte Been sëtzen oder sech higen a raschten kënnen. Déi ronn Kanten vun de Stäbe déngen als Grëffer, wann d'Bank beweegt gëtt.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Bronze

Kawadoko Bank ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Bronze, enger héich prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un erausragend Designe vergi gëtt, déi sech duerch Kreativitéit, Erfindungsgab a Schlauheet ausgezeechnen. Bronze-Gewënner si voll Fäegkeet a opfälleg kreativ Wierker, déi déi grouss Erfahrung, d'Fantasie an d'Ressourceréichtum vun hire Designer bestätegen. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Kawadoko Bank e héich geschätzt, bewonnert a beléifte Géigestand ass, bemierkenswäert professionell an innovativ. Dëst mam Bronze ausgezeechent Design integréiert déi beschte Praktike vun der Konscht, der Wëssenschaft, vum Design an der Technologie an zeechent sech duerch Opmierksamkeet fir Detailer aus. Kawadoko Bank erfëllt Bedierfnesser exzellent, beréiert Wënsch, bezauberet Gefiller an erweckt Neigierecht.

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.