Revolutionizing Furniture Design: The Kala Stool

Chung-Sheng Chen, Chung-Yen Wang and Yi-Lin Wu's Award-Winning Bamboo Creation

The Kala, a distinctive stool designed by Chung-Sheng Chen, Chung-Yen Wang, and Yi-Lin Wu, is a testament to the beauty and versatility of bamboo. The design, which takes its name from the sound made when sitting on bamboo furniture, was inspired by the oil-paper umbrella, a cultural item of the Hakka, one of Taiwan's largest ethnic groups. These umbrellas, painted with elaborate designs, are not only works of art but also symbols of good luck. The structure and material of the umbrella, primarily bamboo, served as the foundation for the Kala's design.

The Kala stool stands out for its unique retractable mechanism in the central axis, a feature that offers an engaging interaction for the user. When one sits on the stool, it descends lightly and smoothly due to the elasticity of the bamboo material. Upon standing, the stool ascends back to its original position. The Kala's design showcases simplicity and oriental charm, reflecting the beauty of traditional Taiwanese craft.

The creation of the Kala stool involved a meticulous process. Echoing the structure of the oil-paper umbrella, laminated bamboo was used as the primary material. Each part was heat-baked in a wooden mold for 1-2 minutes, and then clamped under pressure for another 5 minutes. This process was repeated 4-5 times until the bamboo formed into the desired structural shape. The parts were then assembled using bamboo nails. The retractable central axis was made from cypress wood, chosen for its rigidity.

The Kala stool's design process began with sketching in September 2016 in Tainan. Early prototypes were completed in Tainan before the final design was completed in Nantou in April 2017. The stool made its debut at the Taiwan Young Design Exhibition in May 2017 at the Taipei World Trade Center.

The Kala stool's design was not without its challenges. The most significant was achieving the right balance of strength and simplicity in the laminated bamboo. Too many layers would provide sufficient weight support but compromise the design's elegance. Conversely, too few layers would jeopardize the stool's stability. Another challenge was accurately shaping the bamboo and transferring the sliding structure of the oil-paper umbrella to the stool's retractable mechanism.

Despite these challenges, the Kala stool's innovative design earned it the Silver A' Furniture Design Award in 2017. This prestigious award recognizes top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation. The Kala stool, with its blend of traditional craft and modern design, certainly fits this description.