Jonathan Nieh's Modern Chinese Armchair: A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation

Award-Winning Design Marries Traditional Chinese Aesthetics with Modern Technology

The armchair's design was not merely an attempt to simplify a traditional Chinese armchair into a modern-looking one. Instead, it borrowed the design from the past and infused it with present technology and materials to create a new style of Chinese furniture. The result is a chair that is both functional and a piece of art.

What sets this design apart is its unique combination of form and function. The chair retains the shape of a traditional Chinese armchair, but uses current technology and materials such as CNC processing and plywood to create a modern and organic-looking piece of furniture. The result is a chair that is both functional and a piece of art.

The chair's realization was made possible through CNC processing, plywood, and solid walnut wood. The technical specifications of the chair are a width of 765mm, a depth of 650mm, a height of 800mm, and a seat height of 420mm. These measurements ensure that the chair is not only aesthetically pleasing but also comfortable for the user.

The design process was not without challenges. The most difficult aspect was designing a proper structure and calculating wood strength to support the weight of a person. The original idea was to use a metal tube and bending technique to create the chair structure, but the finish looked too cold and contemporary. As a result, the material was switched back to wood, resulting in a warmer, more inviting appearance.

Jonathan Nieh's Modern Chinese Armchair is a testament to the possibilities of design when tradition and innovation are combined. It is a shining example of how design can evolve while still maintaining a strong connection to its roots. This armchair is not just a piece of furniture, but a piece of art that represents the fusion of past, present, and future.