waterfall chair with smooth, flowy rattan curves reflects tranquility of cascading waters

waterfall chair draws from the tranquility of cascading waters

Designed by Niva Shrestha, the Waterfall Chair is a piece of furniture that blends the tranquility of cascading water with rattan craftsmanship. As an architecture student at Tongji University, Shrestha wanted to create a design that captures the essence of nature while providing functional seating. Smooth, flowing lines reminiscent of a waterfall form the chair, which is achieved through the use of rattan.

Originally, the chair was made entirely of soft rattan to emphasize its natural, flexible appearance. However, to increase structural stability, the design was refined by incorporating hard rattan fibers into the base to support the curves of the seat and ensure durability. The production process involved the hot bending process, molding the rattan with precision, resulting in precise curves.

all images courtesy of Niva Shrestha

the nature-inspired chair by Niva Shrestha includes hot blending

The Waterfall Chair involved extensive research and design iterations under the guidance of studio advisors Prof. Philip F. Yuan and Yige Liu, with the assistance of Xingjie Xie and Menghao Yuan at Tongji University (find more here). Materials chosen for the Waterfall Chair include soft rattan, known for its flexibility and natural appearance, and hard rattan, selected for its strength and structural support. The soft rattan on the upper part of the chair provides a flowing, organic look, while the hard rattan base ensures that the chair is sturdy and capable of supporting weight. This combination of materials maintains the seat’s appearance and ensures its functionality. 

Waterfall Chair is a piece of furniture that blends the tranquility of cascading water with rattan craftsmanship

the final model of the seat features a blend of soft and hard rattan

artistic design and practical materials come together to create the chair

capturing the essence of flowing water through a blend of materials

modified prototype of the Waterfall Chair, with hard rattan added to the bottom for stability

the initial prototype of the Waterfall Chair, crafted entirely from soft rattan

as an architecture student, Shrestha sought to create a design that captures the essence of nature

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hot bending method was employed to shape the rattan with precision

different stripe designs tested for aesthetics and stability

front elevation of the chair

extensive research and design iterations shape the chair

project info:

name: Waterfall Chair
designer: Niva Shrestha
studio advisor: Prof. Philip F Yuan, Yige Liu
assistant: Xingjie Xie, Menghao Yuan 
university: Tongji University

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: thomai tsimpou | designboom