Lian: A Multifunctional Chair for Modern Classrooms

Revolutionizing Classroom Furniture Design with Comfort and Functionality

Introducing Lian, a groundbreaking multifunctional chair designed by Mengfei Lian, Chunmao Wu, and Xiaozhen Ying. This innovative chair aims to address the lack of attention given to classroom furniture design in China and provide students with a comfortable and versatile seating solution.

What sets Lian apart is its multifunctionality. It features a work surface and a storage base, allowing students to have everything they need within arm's reach. The work surface can be rotated to create multiple functions, catering to different learning scenarios. When moved to the front of the chair, it provides support for reading and writing. When moved to the sides, it serves as a comfortable armrest for relaxation. And when moved to the back, it facilitates face-to-face communication between students and teachers.

The design team conducted thorough research on the current state of university classroom furniture and the needs of the target users – university students. They developed the "ripples" chair concept, which combines storage functionality and a versatile work surface to meet the users' needs. The materials used in the chair include PVC boards, textiles, steel pipes, and metal parts, ensuring durability and comfort.

With dimensions of 700 mm x 680 mm x 773 mm, Lian provides ample seating space while maintaining a compact footprint. The seat diameter is 450 mm, and the seat height is 450 mm, ensuring ergonomic comfort for students of various heights.

When a student enters the classroom, Lian empowers them with a visually appealing environment. The chair creates an active and pleasant atmosphere, fostering focus and engagement in learning. Students can easily place their belongings on the enlarged work surface, accommodating books, laptops, and other study materials. The chairs can be freely moved and combined to facilitate group discussions and interactive activities, promoting a positive and collaborative learning experience.

The Lian project started in June 2020 and was completed in January 2021 in Shanghai. Throughout the design process, the team conducted extensive research on university classroom furniture and interviewed student users to understand their current challenges and future aspirations. The chair was designed to bring happiness factors such as security, popularity, and autonomy to the classroom, enhancing the overall learning environment.

Overcoming creative, technical, and research challenges, the design team achieved a balance between product function, style, and production possibilities. Lian not only meets the aesthetic and storage needs of students but also promotes interaction and adaptability. The production and assembly processes were carefully considered to ensure mass production feasibility.

Lian, with its unique "ripples" design concept, represents a significant step forward in classroom furniture design. It combines functionality, comfort, and adaptability to create an optimal learning environment for students. The chair's design is a testament to the team's commitment to meeting the diverse needs of Chinese students and enhancing their educational experience.

Images:

Image #1: Creator Lian Mengfei, Lian, 2021.

Image #2: Creator Lian Mengfei, Lian, 2021.

Image #3: Creator Lian Mengfei, Lian, 2021.

Image #4: Creator Lian Mengfei, Lian, 2021.

Image #5: Creator Lian Mengfei, Lian, 2021.

Intellectual Property Notice: Copyrights belong to Mengfei Lian, 2021.

Awards and Accolades: Lian was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category in 2021. This prestigious award recognizes well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. Lian's integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and contribution to a better world earned it this esteemed recognition.