Kala Laminated Bamboo Retractable Stool

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Kala, the name taking from the sound when sitting on a bamboo furniture, especially sitting on this unique stool made in laminated bamboo with a retractable mechanism in the central axis. Kala stool taking oil-paper umbrella as its inspiration, laminated bamboo strip was heat baked in the wood mold with clamp fixture and bended into shape later assembled with bamboo nails, showing its simplicity and oriental charming. Due to the elasticity of bamboo material and the retractable mechanism in the central axis, one’s will find interesting interaction when sitting on Kala stool, it will descend lightly and smoothly, and when one’s stood up Kala will ascend back to its position.

Dimensions & Packaging

Diameter 480mm(Top) * Diameter 580mm * Height 600mm

Tags

Laminated, Bamboo, Stool, Heat Baked Bending, Furniture, Oil-Paper, Umbrella, Craft.

Production Technology

Echoing to the oil-paper umbrella structure, laminated bamboo as the overall material used. Wood mold used for each bent parts, after the mold been heat baked for 1~2 minutes, bamboo strip was placed into the mold with clamp pressure for another 5 minutes, repeated for 4 – 5 times until its formed into structural shape, later then assembled the bended strip with bamboo nails. The contraction central axis made by cypress wood for its rigidity.

Design Challenge

The most challenging in this designed is the precision and calculation of the strength of the laminated bamboo, taking too many laminated bamboo strip definitely will provide sufficient weight sustain, but will waived out its simplicity and beauty, the problem vice versa. Bending the laminated bamboo is another challenging issued, it needs accuracy to shape it. Finally is transferring the sliding structure of the oil-paper umbrella to the retractable mechanism in order to achieve sitting interaction.

Research

The study of "Kala" was inspired by oil-paper umbrellas, an iconic item for Hakka ethnic group in Taiwan. Echoing to the oil-paper umbrella structure, the design team used the laminated bamboo for the whole structure, which is firm, durable and elastic. It reaches some level of yield and remains the spirits of traditional crafts by making molds through tenacity of the bamboo and oriental traditional bamboo crafts. Bamboo consider as environment friendly material, helping to slow down the deforestation. The team will continually to study and develop the probability of the use of bamboo material to create more interactional and interesting design.

Inspiration

Inspired by Hakka one of the largest ethnic groups in Taiwan, its culture item oil-paper umbrella, is incredible works of art, painted with elaborate designs, and symbol of good luck. The structure and material of the umbrella is fascinating, traditionally bamboo stick is the main structure frame.

Project Duration

The project commenced the sketching stage in 2016 September in Tainan. Early prototypes were completed in Tainan before the final design was completed in Nantou in 2017 April. Making its first debut in Taiwan Young Design Exhibition 2017 May in Taipei World Trade Center.

Operation Flow

The elasticity of the lminated bamboo and the retractable mechanism in the central axis, one’s will find interesting interaction when sitting on "Kala" stool, it will descend lightly and smoothly, and when one’s stood up "Kala" will ascend back to its position.

Patents

Patent Pending.

Image Credits

ChungYen Wang
YiLin Wu