Push in

red dot
red dot award: design concept 2008

design:

Saravanan Nagasundaram

Exploring the use of the same furniture form in varied environments, the Push In series takes beach furniture and transplants it into contexts such as restaurants or homes. Beach umbrellas provided the initial design inspiration.

A product derives its meaning and character from its purpose and materials. Before conceptualising a product, however, the designer may ask, “Can one form fit different environments and still function effectively?” Push In is a series of beach furniture that addresses this issue. The series was inspired by beach umbrellas, which stand stable when pushed into sand. The seating is broken into three basic components – the seat, the stalk and the base.

The furniture can be used in three combinations: seat, seat + stalk, and seat + stalk + base. Push In can change from a stool on a beach to a floor seat in a Japanese restaurant to a conventional seat in a living room.

Three “sets” comprise the Push In series. The first set is essentially a single piece. All one has to do is push it into the sand. When not used on the beach, it can be mounted onto a base and used as bar stool. The second set has two components – the stalk and the seat. The seat can be used for floor seating or fixed to the stalk and pushed into the sand.

It can also be used as a bar stool by adding a base. The third set has a back rest. The final set leans towards beach lounge chairs. One has to push the stalk deep into the sand to get the required stability, but since there is a single point of contact on the ground, the resulting spring effect will add an element of fun.

Push In has been designed to be produced with the following materials: recycled aluminum, bio plastic and plastic reinforced with bamboo fibres.