burr puzzle high stool assembled with mortise connections
all images courtesy of you-de chen + chin-hua lin

 

 

 

the chinese mortise and tenon technique has been widely used on wood pieces for over 7000 years, chinese designers you-de chen and chin-hua lin’s have adapted the method in the ‘burr puzzle’ stool. the main principle of a ‘burr puzzle’ is assembling wood pieces in specific order and limiting each of the pieces movement only by the notches of the wood, which eventually creates a firm and solid connection. a new modern mortise is applied to this furniture piece, as the original wood material is switched for aluminum. the design still follows the core technique, but achieves a more delicate finish and a stronger structure. the entire 42 x 54 x 82 cm stool is assembled only using the metal mortises. the process is similar to playing a puzzle where every part has its own specific place to fit.

 

 

burr puzzle high stool assembled with mortise connections
assembling the entire stool is like a burr puzzle

 

 

burr puzzle high stool assembled with mortise connections
the stool is assembled by 9 mortises to become a sustainable structure

 

 

burr puzzle high stool assembled with mortise connections
seat surface

 

 

burr puzzle high stool assembled with mortise connections
detail 

 

 

burr puzzle high stool assembled with mortise connections
mor’tised – high stool

 

 

burr puzzle high stool assembled with mortise connections
difference between the traditional mortise and modern mortise

 

 

burr puzzle high stool assembled with mortise connections
milling process of the stool leg

 

 

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