waterfall chair with smooth, flowy rattan curves reflects tranquility of cascading waters

originally crafted entirely from soft rattan, the design was refined by incorporating hard rattan fibers to support the curves of the seat.

Niva edited by thomai tsimpou July 30, 2024 3 min

waterfall chair draws from the tranquility of cascading waters

Designed by Niva Shrestha, the Waterfall Chair is a piece of furniture that blends the tranquility of cascading water with rattan craftsmanship. As an architecture student at Tongji University, Shrestha wanted to create a design that captures the essence of nature while providing functional seating. Smooth, flowing lines reminiscent of a waterfall form the chair, which is achieved through the use of rattan.

Originally, the chair was made entirely of soft rattan to emphasize its natural, flexible appearance. However, to increase structural stability, the design was refined by incorporating hard rattan fibers into the base to support the curves of the seat and ensure durability. The production process involved the hot bending process, molding the rattan with precision, resulting in precise curves.

waterfall chair with smooth, flowy rattan curves reflects tranquility of cascading waters - 1 — all images courtesy of Niva Shrestha

the nature-inspired chair by Niva Shrestha includes hot blending

The Waterfall Chair involved extensive research and design iterations under the guidance of studio advisors Prof. Philip F. Yuan and Yige Liu, with the assistance of Xingjie Xie and Menghao Yuan at Tongji University (find more here). Materials chosen for the Waterfall Chair include soft rattan, known for its flexibility and natural appearance, and hard rattan, selected for its strength and structural support. The soft rattan on the upper part of the chair provides a flowing, organic look, while the hard rattan base ensures that the chair is sturdy and capable of supporting weight. This combination of materials maintains the seat’s appearance and ensures its functionality.

waterfall chair with smooth, flowy rattan curves reflects tranquility of cascading waters - 2 — Waterfall Chair is a piece of furniture that blends the tranquility of cascading water with rattan craftsmanship

waterfall chair with smooth, flowy rattan curves reflects tranquility of cascading waters - 3 — the final model of the seat features a blend of soft and hard rattan

waterfall chair with smooth, flowy rattan curves reflects tranquility of cascading waters - 4 — artistic design and practical materials come together to create the chair

waterfall chair with smooth, flowy rattan curves reflects tranquility of cascading waters - 5 — capturing the essence of flowing water through a blend of materials

waterfall chair with smooth, flowy rattan curves reflects tranquility of cascading waters - 6 — modified prototype of the Waterfall Chair, with hard rattan added to the bottom for stability

waterfall chair with smooth, flowy rattan curves reflects tranquility of cascading waters - 7 — the initial prototype of the Waterfall Chair, crafted entirely from soft rattan

waterfall chair with smooth, flowy rattan curves reflects tranquility of cascading waters - 8 — as an architecture student, Shrestha sought to create a design that captures the essence of nature

waterfall-chair-smooth-flowy-rattan-curves-tranquility-cascading-water-niva-shretha-07-30-2024-designboom-1800-01 — to enhance structural stability, the design was refined to incorporate hard rattan at the base

hot bending method was employed to shape the rattan with precision different stripe designs tested for aesthetics and stability front elevation of the chair extensive research and design iterations shape the chair

project info:

name: Waterfall Chair
designer: Niva Shrestha
studio advisor: Prof. Philip F Yuan, Yige Liu
assistant: Xingjie Xie, Menghao Yuan
university: Tongji University

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