( ) Chair

Studio Minofmeer

Discipline:

Furniture

Location:

Taichung, Taiwan

Year:

2023

Description:

Why
The ( ) Chair, a passion project, was inspired by African birthing chairs observed during a South African trip, aiming to soften their sturdy, angled forms into a rounded, modern design. It explores blending cultural heritage with contemporary comfort.

Brief
This project aimed to craft a chair that reinterprets the African birthing chair’s low, supportive structure, focusing on rounded legs and a curved back to create a gentler silhouette while preserving its functional essence.

Approach
We used pine for its warm grain, hand-shaping components to soften the birthing chair’s sharp angles. Dowel joinery secured the structure, ensuring stability while emphasizing smooth, organic curves for a modern look.

Outcome
The ( ) Chair features a low seat, rounded legs, and a gently curved backrest, offering a softer take on the African birthing chair’s form, blending supportive tradition with a comforting, contemporary design.

Challenges
Rounding the birthing chair’s angular form while maintaining stability was tough—early prototypes tipped under weight, requiring adjustments to leg angles and reinforced joints for balance.

Insights
Assuming pine would easily support rounded shapes underestimated its stress points—I’d test weight distribution earlier next time. The process deepened my appreciation for African design’s functional beauty, showing heritage can evolve.

Product Details
Dimensions: w40 x d38 x h45 cm
Material: Pine, wood stain

Process

The ( ) Chair project began with sketching pine boards, inspired by African birthing chairs’ low, angled forms, aiming for a softer look. We cut rough shapes with a table saw, planed edges smooth, and rounded corners by hand to mimic the curved backrest. Dowel holes were drilled for joinery, with clamps testing fits—early legs wobbled, so we adjusted angles for stability.

We shaped the seat and backrest, sanding for a gentle curve, and stained the pine for warmth. Assembly involved clamping all parts—legs, seat, back—and gluing them with dowels in one final step. After setting, we sanded again to refine the finish. Testing confirmed the chair held firm, blending African tradition with modern comfort through precise handwork.