Marka 多功能座椅 by Adel Alserhani is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 銅獎 in 傢俱設計 Competition Category.

銅傢俱· 2025

Marka 多功能座椅

by Adel Alserhani

A' Design Award 銅獎 Winner in 傢俱 Category

18,365

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #161622

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Marka 多功能座椅

介紹模組化扶手椅，一款適合兩人使用的座位方案，無需螺絲或膠水即可輕鬆轉換為無腳座椅。此充滿趣味的設計鼓勵靈活多變的座位編排及健康生活方式。設計靈感源自貝都因遊牧民族使用的駱駝鞍，融合文化傳承與現代美學。此作品適合室內外使用，尤其適用於中東及亞洲地區，促進社交互動及舒適感，讓使用者以趣味互動的方式享受共聚座位體驗。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銅獎

Marka 多功能座椅是 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Marka 多功能座椅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。Marka 多功能座椅出色地滿足需求，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: Modular armrest for two persons could convert into legless chair without any use of screws or glue giving the user the ability to change positions in a healthy and fun way of assembling .The design is a modern floor seating inspired by camel saddle that have been use as an an armrest when bedouin nomads settle . Marka could be use as an outdoor furniture and as an indoor in another regions such as middle-east and asia where floor seating is more common.
Dimensions & Packaging: - Panel (A) H:50cm - W:50
- Panel (B) H:50 - W:40
- Cover : consist of three padded section connected by hidden level adjustable joinery .
- Triangular Pillow
First position (marka) : can be slides into each other as an X shape to be floor armrest .
Second Position ( legless chair ) : insert Panel B into Panel A to have legless chair and by using the padded cover and the triangular shaped pillow you have the ability to change between various body positions
Tags: Floor seating , Cultural Furniture , Modular furniture , Lightweight, recycled, recyclable, suitable, cosy , Creative, innovative,
Production Technology: Keeping the flow of organic multi uses of this ancient furniture the designer intention is to develop from natural and recycled composite materials to reserved this amazing connection and harmony between land and humanity that trace back to the main inspiration of this design . the base of the piece will be made of 100% recycled and recyclable polypropylene recovered from local furniture production waste and the local auto- motive industry.
Design Challenge: Living in a massive and vast city such as Riyadh, with a population of almost 8 million, I have noticed a growing sense of loneliness among individuals. This might be due to the booming economy and rapid development across all sectors. However, it social effects have become more noticeable, with people feeling a sense of strangeness and not belonging. In our pursuit of progress, we must not forget the importance of maintaining the social fabric that binds us.To address this, we need to foster sharing and caring through genuine human interaction, reclaiming the sense of community that has always been a cornerstone of our identity. The motive behind this design challenge is not to force change but to provide a solution to this social phenomenon within an everyday product that everyone needs.
Research: The product sparks from Social and Behavioral Research that aims to explore the shift in social norms and traditions within Arab societies, focusing on the contrast between historical communal lifestyles and the contemporary situation. The study examines how these changes impact individual behavior and social well-being.the main goal is to Design an everyday object that encourages social interaction and strengthens the sharing spirit in ones life. This project should seamlessly integrate into daily life, promoting genuine connections and a sense of belonging.The research method form Marka was in Arab Literature and archived images and paintings from Orientalists on the other hand I ran few social studies on social media and public spaces and verbal interviews to have a sense of the general atmosphere among society and I noticed the following :
Economic Pressures: The pursuit of economic success and the demands of modern careers have shifted focus from communal to individual goals
Technology and Social Media: While these have connected people globally, they often contribute to physical isolation and superficial interactions.

mpact on Individuals:

Social Isolation: The weakening of traditional social networks can lead to feelings of loneliness and alienation.
Mental Health: Increased stress and mental health issues are linked to the loss of community support.
Identity and Belonging: Rapid cultural changes can lead to a crisis of identity and a diminished sense of belonging.
Inspiration: In revisiting our visual memory, the bedouin lifestyle emerges as a profound influence on the concept of Marka. Constant traveling was not just a way of living it was a celebration of freedom, encapsulated by exploration and following the unknown. This Bedouin spirit manifested in the practical use of the design multipurpose, lightweight, and easy to transport.Originally, Marka used as a saddlery for camel riding. However, when bedouin communities settled, Marka transformed into a furniture piece . From this concept of multifunction and modularity I found the bridge that links this rooted product to a contemporary product all in one design .
Project Duration: Project started in September 2023 in Riyadh - Saudi Arabia . The prototypes started in early 2024.
Operation Flow: The First position of Marka is a call to have a dialogue with the others while the second position gives the modern need to have a moment for the individual .