Chain Reaction: A Tenon and Mortise Toy

Combining Tradition and Playfulness

Chain Reaction draws its inspiration from the mortise and tenon structure commonly found in traditional wood buildings. The designers have taken this age-old technique and transformed it into a playful and interactive toy. With approximately 20 different combination options, Chain Reaction serves as both a building block toy and a decorative piece for the home.

What sets Chain Reaction apart is its innovative use of the mortise and tenon structure to create a visually striking design. The lateral dovetail structure and the longitudinal pin structure interlock with each other, providing a secure lock in each module. This allows users to explore the various geometric dimensions and reorganize the toy by finding common dimensions between modules, creating a series of new visual languages.

Created using modern carpentry techniques and crafted from beech wood, Chain Reaction showcases the precision and craftsmanship of traditional woodworking. The dimensions of the toy are 150 × 150 × 190mm and 150 × 150 × 240mm, offering different sizes for varied play experiences.

Chain Reaction was designed and produced in Taipei in 2019 and was showcased at the tenon mortise theme exhibition in Shenzhen the same year. The designers, Lin Xingmin and Zhai Weimin, along with their team, including Xu Le, Bao Liyuan, He Jiwei, He Jimiao, Xu Biwen, Liu Lin, and Zhao Shikuan, worked diligently to overcome the technical challenges involved in creating a precise and functional toy.

This innovative design has been recognized for its creativity and resourcefulness, receiving the Bronze A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category in 2020. The award acknowledges designs that incorporate best practices in art, science, design, and technology, contributing to improvements in quality of life.

Chain Reaction is not just a toy; it's a testament to the beauty of traditional woodworking techniques and the endless possibilities of creative play. With its unique combination of tradition and innovation, this tenon and mortise toy brings joy and inspiration to both children and adults alike.