Skip to content
On Belay لائونج ڪرسي by Chong Zhi Yu

On Belay لائونج ڪرسي by Chong Zhi Yu is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award برونز انعام in فرنيچر ڊيزائن Competition Category.


برونزفرنيچر· 2026

On Belay لائونج ڪرسي

by Chong Zhi Yu

Client: Nanyang Academy of Fine Arrts

A' Design Award برونز انعام Winner in فرنيچر Category

Colors

The Design

About On Belay لائونج ڪرسي

آن بيلي هڪ لائونج ڪرسي آهي جيڪا رٽائرڊ ٿيل چڙهڻ واريون رسيون ٻيهر استعمال ڪري ٿي. اهي رسيون جيڪي هاڻي چڙهڻ لاءِ مناسب ناهن، پنهنجي مضبوطي ۽ لچڪ برقرار رکن ٿيون، تنهن ڪري انهن کي سيٽ ۽ پٺي جي سهاري ۾ اُڻيو ويو آهي. اُڻيل سطح نرم ۽ لچڪدار آهي، ۽ اها وزن کي هڪجهڙائي سان پکيڙي ٿي ته جيئن سخت حصن کان سواءِ سهارو ملي. فريم ڪپور جي ڪاٺ مان ٺهيل آهي، جنهن ۾ ليپ ۽ برائيڊل جوڙ ڪنڊن تي ٻٽي ڊول سان مضبوط ڪيا ويا آهن. روايتي اُڻڻ جي طريقن کي چڙهڻ جي ڳنڍين سان گڏائي رسين کي فريم سان ٻڌو ويو آهي. ڪرسي جي ماپ 600 x 850 x 650 ملي ميٽر آهي.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award برونز انعام

On Belay لائونج ڪرسي A' Design Award برونز انعام جو کٽيندڙ آهي، تمام گهڻو معزز اعتراف جيڪو تخليقيت، اختراع ۽ ذڪاوت سان ممتاز بهترين ڊيزائنن کي ڏنو وڃي ٿو. برونز جا کٽيندڙ ڀرپور مهارت واريون ۽ نمايان طور تخليقي شاهڪار آهن، جيڪي پنهنجي ڊيزائنرن جي وسيع تجربي، تخيل ۽ ڏاهپ جي تصديق ڪن ٿيون. On Belay لائونج ڪرسي کان اميد ڪئي وڃي ٿي ته اهو هڪ تمام گهڻو قدر ڪيل، ساراهيل ۽ پيارو شيءِ هوندو، قابل ذڪر حد تائين پيشه ورانه ۽ جدت وارو. هي ڊيزائن جنهن A' Design Award برونز انعام کٽيو آهي، فن، سائنس، ڊيزائن ۽ ٽيڪنالاجي ۾ بهترين طريقا شامل ڪري ٿو ۽ ننڍين تفصيلن ڏانهن ڌيان ڏيڻ ڪري شاندار آهي. On Belay لائونج ڪرسي ضرورتون خوبصورتيءَ سان پوريون ڪري ٿو، خواهشن کي ڇهي ٿو، جذبن کي موهي ٿو ۽ تجسس ڇڪي ٿو.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
On Belay ingeniously repurposes discarded climbing ropes as integral structural and tactile elements of a lounge chair. Though no longer fit for safety-critical use after extended wear or falls, these ropes retain strength and flexibility ideal for furniture applications. Woven meticulously into the seat and backrest, the design redefines lifesaving equipment into a durable, sustainable, and comfortable seating experience that bridges heritage craft with modern ecological responsibility.
Dimensions & Packaging
Width 600 mm x Depth 850 mm x Height 650 mm
Tags
Sustainable , Upcycled materials, Climbing rope, Lounge chair, Tension weaving, Recycled furniture, Knotting techniques, Outdoor , Ergonomic seating, Conceptual furniture
Production Technology
The seating structure combines traditional weaving techniques learned in Thailand with climbing rope knotting methods to bind reclaimed ropes securely onto a Kapur wood frame. The chair’s frame uses time-honored joinery methods including lap and bridle joints reinforced with dual dowels at frame corners to ensure strength and durability.
Design Challenge
The hardest part of this project was that it was our first, so many aspects were unfamiliar, especially weaving and knotting techniques. These skills required extensive practice and patience to master. Additionally, limited information and guidance made the learning curve steep. Overcoming these challenges deepened my understanding of material manipulation and craftsmanship, which was crucial for realizing the design successfully.
Research
I focused on upcycled materials and chose climbing ropes for this project. I researched various weaving techniques and climbing knotting methods, alongside exploring line art for visual inspiration. During mock-up stages, I drilled multiple holes to find optimal positions and consulted with my mentor to determine the best structure and joinery for the chair frame. I tested different diameters of climbing ropes and ultimately selected 5mm support rope for its balance of aesthetics and comfort. I am very satisfied with the final product. This design taught me that upcycling can be both practical and visually appealing.
Inspiration
Inspired by the themes of safety, trust, and connection inherent in rock climbing culture, On Belay transforms retired climbing ropes symbols of protection and resilience into core materials for furniture. These ropes embody stories of endurance and rebirth, and through creative upcycling, the design offers a poetic metaphor for rest and renewal, highlighting sustainable innovation intertwined with emotional narratives.
Project Duration
This Project started in August 2025 in Singapore NAFA and finished in NAFA's workshop.
Operation Flow
The woven climbing rope seat provides a soft, flexible surface that naturally conforms to the human body, evenly distributing weight to deliver ergonomic support without rigid components. Its minimalist yet stable construction fosters a sense of security and calm, evoking the trust foundational to climbing safety. This tactile interaction invites relaxation and mindfulness, transforming the chair into a restorative haven for body and mind.

Sponsored

Explore Beyond Designers.org

Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition

The A' Design Award is an international, juried accolade for good design. Take part in the A' Design Award to get an opportunity to earn meritocratic recognition, gain fame, prestige and publicity for your work. Nominate your work for the A' Design Award and compete for the coveted A' Design Prize.

Nominate