Revolutionizing Nursery Furniture: The Dual-Purpose Ru Chair

Lotta Tu's Innovative Design Melds Functionality and Aesthetics in Baby Furniture

The inspiration for the Ru Chair came from Tu's personal experience as a new mother. She noticed that most baby chairs didn't fit well with interior design styles and were often discarded after a few years due to limited space. Drawing from her own use of a traditional bamboo nursery chair, Tu sought to create a design that could retain its usefulness and sentimental value over time.

The Ru Chair's unique properties lie in its dual functionality. It can be used as a baby chair for feeding, then flipped 90 degrees to serve as an adult stool. Safety is a priority in the design, with rounded corners and an anti-fall foot design. When converted to adult use, the chair's foot design becomes a waist support. The chair's simple design and neutral colors allow it to blend seamlessly into any interior.

The chair is made of wood, finished with non-toxic paint for protection. The cushion cover is made from organic cotton, free from chemical dyes, making it safe and durable for baby use. The chair's overall dimensions are 393 mm x 390 mm x 356 mm.

The Ru Chair is not only functional but also interactive. Babies from six months old can sit in the chair for feeding, playing, or interacting with their parents. The circles in front of the baby seat provide entertainment for the child. The chair can be flipped to an adult stool at any time, without the need for screws or complicated structures.

The project began in September 2013 and was completed in February 2014 in Taipei. It was awarded the Muji 04 Jury's prize and exhibited in the Muji global exhibition from June 2014 in China, Taiwan, and Japan. The design was also awarded Silver in the A' Furniture Design Award in 2015, a testament to its innovative design and functionality.

The Ru Chair is a testament to Lotta Tu's innovative approach to design, combining functionality, safety, and aesthetics in a single piece of furniture. It's a design that truly grows with the family, offering a sustainable solution to the often short-lived nature of baby furniture.