irregularly stacked volumes capture korean tradition of wish-making in this wood cabinet

jaewoo ahn draws on the primitive act of stacking stones

Inspired by the primitive act of stacking stones, deeply rooted in the tradition of wish-making in Korean culture, Jaewoo Ahn presents the Stack series. A chest of drawers designed to store precious items — much like how pebbles and rocks are embodiments of one’s whispered desires — Stack is composed of irregularly sized volumes seemingly balanced atop one another in a delicate state of equilibrium. 

Its overall form takes the shape of a tower, with the dark plywood volumes’ raw essence complemented by the vibrancy of the brass handles. Each of the handles is finished with distinct textures intended to recall elements of nature which poetically age with the passage of time.

all images courtesy of Jaewoo Ahn

stack balances the raw essence of wood and textured brass

At first glance, Stack may seem to be a wooden sculpture punctuated with gilded pins, yet once the handles are pulled, its function is revealed. Cast in textured brass, the doorknobs reveal the shapes of stones that Jaewoo Ahn collected himself, grounding the project in a reconnection with nature. ‘Over time, you can feel the surface of the stones wearing away, revealing the beauty of nature’s passage,’ notes the designer. Just as there are various reasons for stacking stones each individual can make use of the internal spaces as they wish. ‘Some people stack stones for mindfulness and meditation, while others stack them for wish-making,’ Ahn continues.

Stack follows Jaewoo Ahn’s explorations of balance and composition of light, form, space, and life for poetic design objects for the home that are at once sculptural and functional. An intricate light installation powered by a pulley, Equilibrium features a spherical glass lighting and pendulums, set into motion by gravity and physical forces.

Jaewoo Ahn presents Stack

at first glance, Stack appears to be a sculpture, yet once the brass handles are pulled, its function is revealed

irregularly sized volumes appear to balance atop one another in a delicate state of equilibrium

the dark plywood volumes’ raw essence is complemented by the vibrancy of the brass handles

the handles are composed of collected stones cast in brass

Stack 2, the second, smaller, iteration of the series

Jaewoo Ahn  draws on the meditative act of stacking stones connected to wish-making in Korean culture

casting process

production process

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stones collected by the designer

doorknob brass casting

project info:

name: Stack
designer: Jaewoo Ahn

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom