Hongji Yin · CLIENT: Hongji Yin
Bondo is an indoor sofa designed to support social interaction at home. The form of Bondo refers to the social behavior of wolves, which rest and act together. The sofa measures 227 cm in width, 106 cm in depth and 89 cm in height, with a seat height of 38 cm. The internal structure uses precision CNC-cut plywood with a spliced-fill composite backboard. The cover is Knoll fabric, and a decorative walnut backplate replaces the usual box-style assembly. Several units can be joined to form a larger shared seating space.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Bondo is a prototype that reflects my speculation on social behavior and ecological systems. A sofa often bears functions like social interaction, resting, and food sharing. All of these resonate well with the social behavior of wolves, which are highly efficient and collaborative social animals. By referencing the image of wolves'social interaction, this project is expected to promote indoor activities and facilitate social interaction.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 227cm x Depth 106cm x Height 89cm
Seat height 38cm - Tags
- Nature, Organic, Special Structure, Knoll, Ergonomics, Sculpture Sofa
- Production Technology
- The sofa is crafted with high-grade Knoll fabric, selected for its superior tactile properties tailored for sublime skin contact. The internal structure features precision CNC-cut plywood, combined with an innovative spliced-fill composite backboard design that optimizes perfect harmony between artistry and stability. Breaking away from conventional box-style assembly, the decorative walnut wood backplate transforms meticulous craftsmanship into a distinctive visual statement.
- Design Challenge
- A major challenge is to incorporate features of abstract social behavior patterns into a tangible object. Such disparity between biomimetic abstraction and manufacturability in actual industrial production challenged the proceeding of this sofa design. As a result, I extracted the iconic image of two wolves grooming each other, interpreted it into formal design language using sketches, modeling, and rendering, and ultimately infused such a social mode into the physical construct of my project.
- Project Duration
- The project started as a design in October 2023 in Los Angeles and finished in March 2024 in Los Angeles.
- Operation Flow
- Designed as indoor furniture that advocates social interaction, Bondo could encourage users of all ages to enjoy their lives with a close social distance. People can simply grab a cup of coffee and some snacks and sit with their family to enjoy the latest TV series or watch a breathtaking football match. When we need to host a party of over ten people, we can combine several pieces of this furniture together to form a shared space.
- Research
- Through the completion of the project, I conducted profound research into biology, sociology, and human-centered design. To mirror the wolf pack behavior via my design, an ethological analysis and a comparison between human and wolf hunting modes are carried out. I also organized 5 groups, with 3-5 persons each, to simulate living circumstances using the sofa. After meticulously reviewing and analyzing the post-occupancy questionnaires, I adjusted the dimensions of the product accordingly.
- Inspiration
- The project was inspired by the social behavior and interaction of wolves, which often collaborate to hunt and rest. By incorporating these social features and their symbiotic relationship into the design, I intend to foster interaction and mutual assistance among humans, and ultimately promote interpersonal relationships. Further, this project transcends mere bio-inspiration, boldly exploring the nuanced boundaries of biology, design, aesthetics, and functionality.
- Image Credits
- Photographer Hongji Yin, Bondo, 2024. ]
- Patents
- Hongji Yin holds the copyright for all visual
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