MOLT: A Fusion of East and West in Furniture Design

Armchair Design by Taylor Cheng Marries Chinese and Western Aesthetics

Cheng's inspiration for MOLT was drawn from the Ming era of Chinese furniture design, a period that saw the fusion of Confucian and Taoist ideologies. The literati of the time believed in creating harmony in life through simple, precise, and elegant designs inspired by the natural world. This philosophy is reflected in MOLT, which transforms the traditional Chinese chair using Western design principles.

MOLT employs the concept of "anamorphosis" to express distorted perspective. From the front, the chair appears to be an ancient Chinese emperor's seat, symbolizing power. The floating armrests represent honor. However, as one moves around the chair, it transforms into a Western rocking chair, with two elegant curved bands attached to the bottom of the legs.

The armchair is crafted entirely from walnut, a choice that emphasizes the rich history of Chinese craftsmanship. The natural grain and color palette of the walnut, combined with the texture of the wood and its growth rings, tell a story of cultural history embedded in the furniture. MOLT is more than just a piece of furniture; it's a sculpture that reflects the intersection of multiple cultures.

MOLT measures 620mm in width, 620mm in depth, and 690mm in height. The design process began in December 2015 in California, USA, and the finished product was unveiled to the public in February 2016 in New York, USA. The project posed several challenges, including maintaining a light and minimal appearance while ensuring structural integrity. The solution was to use the mortise and tenon method, which locks the wood together with attractive details.

For its innovative design and outstanding craftsmanship, MOLT was awarded Silver in the A' Furniture Design Award in 2019. This prestigious accolade is given to designs that demonstrate remarkable expertise and innovation, and MOLT certainly fits the bill. With its blend of Eastern and Western aesthetics, MOLT is a testament to the power of cross-cultural creativity in furniture design.