Mingbo Hou · CLIENT: Mingbo Hou
Woodland is a coat rack chair designed for small living areas and entryways. The chair combines ergonomic seating with practical storage. Branch-shaped armrests act as hooks for coats, bags and accessories. The curved backrest wraps around the sitter like tree branches. Woodland is made from sustainable hardwood and recycled steel, with a non-toxic matte black finish. The wood is hand-bent to form the curved shape, and the joints are reinforced for stability under load. The design turns the common habit of placing clothing on a chair into tidy storage.
Press Kit
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Image Credits
- Mingbo Hou
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