floor by New Born from taiwan

Cities are growing with increasing population living in smaller rooms with limited space and a huge number of career seekers and travelers are moving around with high frequency. While projections of future city density increases, daily activities alone or with friends and family create a need for furniture design to connect with social interaction.

We focused on creating a new dimension of space by reinventing a simple chair/stool to be present when needed and disappear or change it's purpose when not. Through observation, we realized the uncomfortable feeling generated by smaller living space is enhanced when lengths between walls are shortened, making foldable furniture still taking up valuable space when leaned on walls or corners, not the best solution for accommodation. But objects not in sight, especially near the floor create an illusion of open space, inspiring us to build a piece either close to or acting as part of the floor. We also discovered a need for extra furniture for friends when the only sitting space is either the bed or the floor when a sofa is not present.

Basically we've produced a few simple prototypes, using a simple regular triangle as components forming a mattress/rug shape. With elastic strings they are held together forming an arch when folded and keeping it whole while flat. It can be placed under the bed or in tight places, folded and tucked away with ease. The surface texture seems and feels soft and flexible yet when folded is formed in a structure which can support a full grownup. A step by step transformation provides the choice of a mattress or a more heightened stool, with the entertainment properties for delighting visitors or friends.