Hopper 椅子 by Takashi Niwa is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 A' Design Award 銅獎 in 傢俱設計 Competition Category.

銅傢俱· 2022

Hopper 椅子

by Takashi Niwa

Client: Takashi Niwa

A' Design Award 銅獎 Winner in 傢俱 Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #137986

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Hopper 椅子

Hopper係一張為輕鬆坐姿而設計嘅木製椅子。雙彎曲框架配合訂製輪廓線條，提升舒適度之餘，亦賦予椅子動感造型。輪廓嘅三個角位喺身體接觸椅子嘅位置做咗圓角處理，同時保留一個銳利邊緣，突顯整體形態。傾斜角度過渡成流暢嘅扶手同靠背。承托同支撐板件增添輕盈感同結構穩定性。各部件以五軸CNC加工製作，再以人手組裝而成。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銅獎

Hopper 椅子是 A' Design Award 銅獎得主，這是授予以創造力、獨創性和敏銳見長的傑出設計的極具聲望的認可。銅獎得主是技藝嫻熟、創意驚人的作品，印證了其設計師豐富的經驗、想像力與機智。預計Hopper 椅子將成為一件備受推崇、令人欽佩且被珍愛的物品，兼具顯著的專業性與創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銅獎的設計融入藝術、科學、設計和技術領域的最佳實踐，並因注重細節而出類拔萃。Hopper 椅子出色地滿足需求，觸動渴望，迷住情感，並吸引好奇心。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: The double curved wood frame with customized profile ensures comfort while also enhancing the dynamic form of the chair. The profile has its three corners filletted where the body is in contact with the chair. On the other hand, one strong edge still remains to highlight the overall gesture and appears with higher contrast under the lighting effect.
Dimensions & Packaging: 550 x 645 x 800
Tags: furniture, chair, ergonomic, wood
Production Technology: With high quality requirement and subtle details, the chair’s parts were made using 5 axis CNC for finishing accuration. A technician with 20 years of experience in craftsmanship then worked to assemble these parts and details together.
Design Challenge: It was a challenge to ensure structure and rigidity with the chair’s significant curves and incline without losing the purity of the form. Various testing took place to study different relationships between front legs and back legs’ curve and angle. Supporting structural frames and joints were then added underneath the seat to ensure stability.
Research: Throughout the design process, there were many studies on the overall form to reveal strong gestures with simplicity. After multiple iterations of the leg and frame profile, a scale model was 3d printed for mock up before sending the final design to the factory.
Inspiration: Hopper Chair with its reclined ergonomics invites the users to sit back and relax. The signature double curves form an energizing and friendly gesture, which recalls a joyful spirit of hopping. When not in use, Hopper Chair is still a spark of joy in the space.
Project Duration: The project was designed in Hanoi, Vietnam in May 2021 and finished in Binh Duong, Vietnam in February 2022
Operation Flow: With a welcoming gesture, Hopper Chair offers its user to relax with comfort. The reclined angle with a smooth curve turns into pleasant armrests and backrests. The double curved frame is designed to give light and open feelings with resting and support panels, which also enhance structural stability.
Team Members: Takashi Niwa
Image Credits: Naoto Ohike