Silver Furniture Design · 2023
Pinch Chair
- A' Design Award 2023 Silver Winner in Furniture Design
- Awarded April 15, 2023
- CLIENT: Medium2studio
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 29,334
- Verification code CEC4CE7E7C · Verify this award
About Pinch Chair
The Pinch Chair is a unibody, stackable, plastic chair that reimagines traditional designs with a fresh aesthetic more suited to contemporary architecture and landscapes. Designed with a unibody logic, the plastic sheet transforms into a complete chair with simple pinching and pulling moves. Its seamless, cohesive appearance creates an intuitive and dynamic visual image. The design allows for stacking during storage and stable placement on a dining table when flipped upside down, which is convenient for restaurant staff to clean the floor when closing.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The Pinch Chair is a modern interpretation of the traditional plastic chair, molded in one piece with a sleek and contemporary design that complements modern architecture and landscapes. It is stackable for easy storage and can be flipped over onto a table to facilitate cleaning of floors by restaurant staff. This creates a seamless and harmonious appearance, with a visually dynamic and intuitive design that is both stylish and practical.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- 549 mm x 558 mm x 822 mm
- Tags
- stackable chair, plastic chair, pinch chair
- Production Technology
- plastic injection molding
- Design Challenge
- Designing a chair that satisfies both practical needs and modern aesthetic while also being stackable and easy to clean the floor, requires finding the perfect balance between form and function, which can be a challenging process.
- Project Duration
- The project started in January 2021 in Taiwan and finished in May 2021 in taiwan.
- Operation Flow
- The Pinch Chair design allows for stacking during storage and stable placement on a dining table when flipped upside down, which is convenient for restaurant staff to clean the floor when closing.
- Research
- Medium2 Studio have observed that many restaurants prefer using plastic chairs for cleaning and maintenance purposes. During our interviews with restaurant owners, Medium2 Studio noticed that they had some common expectations and requirements for plastic chairs. Apart from being stackable for storage convenience, they wanted chairs that could be temporarily lifted off the ground, so that they could clean the floor and put the chairs back without having to clear an entire area of chairs. Finally, they had higher expectations for the design of plastic chairs, hoping that they could enhance or complement the interior decoration of their establishments. Based on these findings, Medium2 Studio have designed the Pinch Chair.
- Inspiration
- Plastic chairs are a common experience in modern people’s lives. They are also a superb example of the practicality and convenience that industrial production brings.
The Pinch Chair starts with the prototype of the traditional plastic chair, then adds a new form factor to make it a better match for modern architecture and design. The chair was designed using a unibody logic, imagining the plastic sheet transforming into a complete chair with simple pinching and pulling moves. - Image Credits
- MEDIUM2 STUDIO INC.
Colors of Pinch Chair
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Design Interview about Pinch Chair
The main principle behind the design of the Pinch Chair is to provide a modern interpretation of the traditional plastic chair while incorporating practicality and aesthetic appeal. The idea was to take the familiar concept of a plastic chair and reimagine it with a new form factor that would better complement modern architecture and design. The inspiration came from observing the widespread use of plastic chairs in people's daily lives and recognizing their practicality and convenience in terms of industrial production.
Our main focus in designing the Pinch Chair was to achieve a perfect balance between practicality and modern aesthetic appeal. We wanted to create a chair that not only fulfilled the functional requirements of stackability and ease of floor cleaning but also had a visually appealing design that could enhance or complement the interior decoration of restaurants.
As we celebrate this milestone, we are actively seeking manufacturing partners to help make the Pinch Chair a reality and share its beauty with the world.
The design process for the Pinch Chair took approximately four months to complete. The project started in January 2021 in Taiwan and was finished in May 2021, also in Taiwan. During this time, the design team at Medium2 Studio worked diligently to conceptualize, refine, and finalize the concept for the chair.
The team was inspired by the ubiquity of plastic chairs in modern life and recognized the potential for improving upon the traditional design. They sought to create a chair that would seamlessly blend with contemporary architecture and design, while also offering practical features that would benefit both restaurant owners and staff.
We plan to sell or lease the production rights.
we noticed that while plastic chairs were functional, they often lacked a modern aesthetic appeal and did not necessarily complement contemporary architecture and design. We saw an opportunity to reimagine the traditional plastic chair and elevate its design to better align with the current trends and expectations of both business owners and customers.
While the design of the Pinch Chair was primarily influenced by the observations and research conducted by the design team at Medium2 Studio, it is important to acknowledge that the field of furniture design is a collaborative and ever-evolving one. As designers, we are constantly inspired and influenced by the work of our peers and the broader design community.
The target customers for the Pinch Chair design are businesses in the hospitality industry, particularly restaurants, cafes, and dining establishments, who seek a stackable, easy-to-clean, and visually appealing seating solution that aligns with modern design sensibilities.
The ability to flip the chair onto a table facilitates floor cleaning by restaurant staff. This feature sets the Pinch Chair apart from other plastic chairs that may require moving or clearing an entire area of chairs for effective floor cleaning.The design of the Pinch Chair takes into account the needs and preferences of both restaurant owners and customers. It offers practical features like stackability for storage convenience and a visually appealing design that enhances the overall dining experience.
The chair was designed using a unibody logic, imagining the plastic sheet transforming into a complete chair with simple pinching and pulling moves.
The design of the Pinch Chair was influenced by data and research conducted by Medium2 Studio. They gathered insights and requirements from restaurant owners, focusing on stackability, floor cleaning convenience, and desired aesthetics. This data-driven approach ensured that the design met the practical and aesthetic needs of the target market.
Balancing Form and Function: Achieving a balance between aesthetic appeal and practical functionality can be a challenge. Designing a chair that meets both the desired visual aesthetic and the functional requirements, such as stackability and ease of floor cleaning, requires careful consideration and iteration.
The decision to submit the Pinch Chair design to an international competition would have been driven by the desire to gain recognition, validation, exposure, and networking opportunities, as well as to benchmark the design against the best in the field. It is a strategic move to showcase our design expertise, creativity, and innovation on a global stage.
Grand Interview about Pinch Chair
At Medium2 Studio, while designing the Pinch Chair, we aimed to explore monocoque technology to achieve maximum functionality with minimal materials and processes. We experimented with various forms and ultimately drew inspiration from the act of "pinching." By envisioning the simple pinch of a plastic sheet to shape it, the Pinch Chair achieves a seamless aesthetic while maintaining structural stability. This design process allows the chair to deliver a striking visual and functional breakthrough.
Through conversations with restaurant owners, we learned that stackability and ease of storage are top priorities when selecting chairs. Additionally, many restaurant staff expressed a desire for chairs that facilitate floor cleaning after closing. With this in mind, we designed a chair that can be inverted and placed on tabletops, allowing staff to clean floors more efficiently. Our goal is to create a chair that not only meets the practical needs of owners but also retains aesthetic appeal and creativity.
The design philosophy at Medium2 Studio is to seamlessly blend aesthetics with functionality. The Pinch Chair’s appearance is sleek and contemporary, with fluid lines that add a sense of movement and lightness while retaining structural stability. We thoroughly studied modern furniture design language as a foundation, then focused on user needs and made ergonomic adjustments to ensure it not only looks beautiful but also offers comfort and practical functionality suited for restaurant use.
One of the main technical challenges we faced in designing the Pinch Chair was ensuring that this monocoque plastic structure could be reliably molded and maintain durability in actual production. We utilized 3D software for strength simulations and carefully examined mold release angles and draft angles for feasibility. Currently, the chair has yet to enter mass production, and we are seeking a furniture brand or manufacturer interested in bringing this innovative design to life. Through collaboration with potential manufacturers, we aim to overcome technical challenges and develop production-ready molds, making this design a reality and bringing our vision for the chair to the market.
The inspiration came from observing simple, everyday actions. We noticed that "Pinch & Pull" is a natural form-shaping gesture, which inspired me to apply this motion to chair design. By imagining the pinch of a plastic sheet, we created a structure full of tension and fluidity. This form retains the familiarity of traditional plastic chairs but infuses it with a fresh design language, making it feel both approachable and forward-thinking.
This functionality evolved gradually through conversations with restaurant owners. They expressed a need for chairs that could be lifted off the floor for easier floor cleaning while also being quickly returned to their positions. Understanding this requirement, we considered how the chair could be inverted and securely placed on a tabletop. Through ongoing experimentation and refinement, we finalized the seat shape with a design that includes a practical, structural line, allowing the chair to rest stably on the table. This not only eases cleaning for staff but also enhances the chair’s versatility.
Our size design is based on ergonomic considerations to ensure user comfort. Additionally, the dimensions are designed with stackability and space efficiency in mind, facilitating storage. After repeated testing, we selected dimensions of 549mm x 558mm x 822mm, which optimally meet the needs of various settings while achieving a balance between structure and appearance.
Our team has been fully dedicated over the past few months, working closely together through every stage—from research and ideation to design and model validation. We made extensive use of VR equipment in the creative and form-evaluation phases, enabling us to conduct multiple rapid iterations. By reviewing shapes in VR, we were able to reduce the need for unnecessary physical prototypes. This efficient collaboration allowed us to complete this innovative design within a short timeframe.
The design of the Pinch Chair takes into account the demands of a restaurant setting. Its modern form makes it a focal point in any space, while its functional features align with the expectations of restaurant owners. We are committed to creating a chair that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical, meeting the dual needs of visual appeal and functionality for restaurants. This design responds to the market’s desire for high-quality commercial furniture.
The success of the Pinch Chair has shown us that modern commercial furniture design can seamlessly combine innovation and practicality. This design demonstrates the potential of monocoque technology to the market, and we believe that future commercial furniture will increasingly emphasize simplicity, aesthetics, and integrated functionality. The Pinch Chair offers a fresh option for the hospitality industry and opens up new possibilities for furniture in future commercial spaces.