Building an Innovative Stargazing Chair from Bamboo

The idea for crafting the Stargazing Chair came to me as I thought about how to blend innovation with natural materials like bamboo while pushing myself to create something truly unique. From the beginning, I want to challenge traditional expectations of what a chair should be. Inspired by bamboo's strength and flexibility, I envisioned a design that defies gravity and creates a sensation of hovering or weightlessness.

Drawing from modern approaches to structural engineering, the chair integrates sustainable materials in a contemporary and unconventional manner. The design also pays homage to rope-suspended bridges, reminiscent of those designed by the renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. By capturing the elegance and functionality of these bridges, the chair embodies a sense of lightness and fluidity in its form.

Overall, this chair is my way to exploring creative concepts of antigravity, using sustainable materials, and embracing contemporary design.

I started my project by sketching out the design of the chair. Once I had a clear idea, I made a simple prototype to see how the chair would look and bring my idea of defying gravity to life. To begin, I worked with carpenters and Moko to gather all the materials I needed, focusing especially on getting plenty of planks.

With the planks ready, I began by bending and cleaning them before laminating. These laminated planks were shaped into ellipses and circles, following the designs I discussed with the carpenters. After allowing the shapes to dry, I moved on to sanding and assembling them into cross-shaped structures that would form the foundation of the chair.

This attention to detail ensures that the chair not only functions well but also captures the essence of my design concept.

From this experience, I learned a lot about how to balance form, function, and creativity to achieve a visually striking design and challenge traditional notions of gravity through innovative structural elements. It also deepened my appreciation and love for bamboo as a versatile and sustainable material. 

Bamboo's natural beauty, strength, and eco-friendly properties have truly impressed me. I have come to honor the skills of the carpenters who gave me valuable hands-on experience with bamboo.