Furniture pieces can make or break a home, but something about a furniture design that is multifunctional makes it 10x alluring to me! Shin Chen’s ‘& Chair’ is a prime example of a multifunctional piece of furniture that provides unparalleled functionality, while perfectly integrating with your home. Chen describes the & Chair as not simply a chair, but “a partner which lives together” with you. It’s a simple and minimal piece crafted from natural materials like ash wood and felt. Much like its name, the chair actually mimics the ‘&’ sign, which also represents its multifunctional nature.
Based on how it’s placed, and its position – the furniture piece can function as a coffee table, high stool, and a low stool or bench. Pretty ingenious, no? When placed upright and vertically, the & Chair functions as a high stool, that could make an interesting bar stool! When placed horizontally – it can function either as a coffee table or low stool, depending on which side it is placed upon. When used as a coffee table, the & Chair provides ample storage space to place your magazines, books, and other personal belongings.
The unique curved wooden detail in the chair is probably its most important feature, and also the most interesting one. The curved form supports the multifunctionality of the design, and also adds an also poetic form to it. At first glance, the & Chair may look like a simple wooden furniture design, which it is, but it’s also much more. It manages to packs a punch of functionality with its homely and minimal form, while also harmoniously merging with the rest of your living space.
Designer: Shin Chen
