Impala Project

WaveAffects Taiwan

Discipline:

Furniture

Location:

Taichung, Taiwan

Year:

2019 - 2020

Description:

Why
The Impala Project tackled the challenge of uniting sustainable craftsmanship with multi-cultural design, driven by the scarcity of Formosan Koa wood and the need to promote responsible sourcing in furniture-making.

Brief
In collaboration with WaveAffects in Hsinchu, Taiwan, we aimed to craft a sculptural furniture series using sustainably harvested Formosan Koa, a rare material requiring special permissions from a protected forest.

Approach
We boiled logs for weeks to enhance their golden hue, then used 5-axial CNC machining with custom molds to shape five chair components, joined by unique Koa joints. Master artisans hand-sculpted and oiled the final form, blending tech precision with traditional skill.

Outcome
The Impala chair emerged with a dynamic, horn-like backrest and armrests, its flowing Koa grain evoking a young impala’s poise in the Kalahari Desert—a striking balance of elegance and strength.

Challenges
The wood’s rigidity tested our CNC programming, and early cracks from hidden stresses set us back, demanding quick refinement to maintain the design’s organic flow and structural integrity.

Insights
Assuming a smoother process based on past projects underestimated Koa’s quirks—I’d build in more time next time. The setback reinforced the value of patience and collaboration, extending into a VIP gifting experience by Minofmeer that deepened the brand’s story.

Product Details
Dimensions: w120 x d85 x h35/70 cm
Material: Natural Formosan Koa, bleached and dyed Formosan Koa

Process

The Impala Project aimed to fuse South African wildlife shapes with Formosan Koa wood’s durability. Research launched it: a videographer filmed animal movements in South Africa—horns, legs, stance—while we studied Koa forests in Taiwan for grain and strength. Sketches followed, turning horns into armrests and legs into supports, pitched to WaveAffects in Hsinchu to confirm a chair that worked and fit the concept.

Prototyping tested feasibility. We built 3D models, tweaking seat and back angles, then made small mockups in cheap wood to check stability, refining until one held up. Harvesting Koa from a protected forest came next—its rigidity forced a month of boiling to cut it. We prepped it for the 5-axial CNC with custom plywood molds and designed Koa-specific joinery for four parts: seat, back, arms, legs.

Cutting hit snags—cracks in early runs led us to adjust boiling and molds. Once clean, artisans sanded and oiled the pieces, assembling them tight. Testing ensured it stood firm, matching the impala look while handling use, turning a rough idea into a solid result.