Clover: A Fusion of Classic and Modern Design

Shuangyong Jin and Yunfei Zhao's High Stool Marries Western Architecture and Eastern Craftsmanship

What sets Clover apart from other stools is its unique design and construction. Each "leaf" of the stool is made from pieces of scrap solid wood arranged in a mosaic pattern. The curvy legs of the stool are initially carved by a digital control machine and then fine-tuned by hand polishing. The entire stool is held together by a unique mortise and tenon joint in the center, ensuring a stable structure while breaking away from the traditional image of woodwork. This piece of furniture seamlessly integrates modernity and heritage in both design and craft.

The realization of Clover's design involved the use of Chinese Sun Mao (mortise and tenon joint) technique to connect the four 'leaves' of the stool, ensuring high stability. The materials used include nature ash or black walnut, with a ring of stainless steel at the bottom for a footrest. The stool measures 445mm in width, 445mm in depth, and 700mm in height.

The design process for Clover was not without its challenges. The designers and craftsmen had to figure out how to create a three-dimensional irregular shape using pure wood. To keep costs down and promote sustainability, they decided to use small square pieces of wood, most of which were leftover materials from the factory. This not only enabled industrial waste reuse but also resulted in a beautiful mosaic pattern on the surface of the stool.

The Clover stool was designed in Shanghai in March 2020. The first sample was made in May 2020, and the design was refined over the following months until it was finally completed in January 2021. This design was awarded Silver in A' Furniture Design Award in 2022, a testament to its outstanding design and innovation.

In conclusion, Clover is a testament to the creativity and craftsmanship of Shuangyong Jin and Yunfei Zhao. Its unique design, inspired by the classic Romanesque arch and the four-leaf clover, and its sustainable construction, which involves the use of scrap wood and a unique mortise and tenon joint, make it a standout piece of furniture that marries modernity and heritage.