tadeas podracky brings traditional chinese bamboo chair into a contemporary context

tadeas podracky brings traditional chinese bamboo chair into a contemporary context
(above) dimensions: 700mm x 700mm x 900mm
all images courtesy of tadeas podracky

prague-based designer tadeas podracky ‘does not believe in limiting himself to a particular design or art form. he prefers to explore the space between them by analyzing both historical and contemporary conditions.’ and for this occasion he has created the ‘personal bamboo sofa’, with the aim of bringing back the essence of chinese handicrafts to people’s life. the project explores traditional chinese bamboo furniture by taking it into a contemporary design context. 

the aim of the project is to bring back the essence of chinese handicrafts to people’s life 

the shape of the ‘personal bamboo sofa’ freely references the ming chair, but with a different aim: to create a bamboo chair as comfortable as possible and at the same time inexpensive. the czech designer developed a whole new system of upholstery, adding foam strips a cushions. the result is a cheap and comfortable chair that uses traditional chinese craft, and that succeeds in the aesthetic and practical demands of modern society. 

the chair explores traditional chinese bamboo furniture by taking it into a contemporary design context 

tadeas podracky created the seating piece while he was doing research about chinese handicrafts and materials at the yuhang rong design library in china. he collaborated with local artisans and tried to understand manufacture processes of traditional bamboo productions, leading him to the creation of this piece.

the shape of the ‘personal bamboo sofa’ freely references the ming chair

the designer wanted to create a bamboo chair as comfortable as possible and at the same time inexpensive

the czech designer developed a whole new system of upholstery 

the textile covering was made with cheap foam strips

the ‘personal bamboo sofa’ succeeds in the aesthetic and practical demands of modern society

tadeas podracky created the seating piece while he was doing research about chinese handicrafts and materials

he collaborated with local artisans and tried to understand manufacture processes of bamboo

example of traditional chinese bamboo furniture

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: juliana neira | designboom