Tulpi-seat Chair

Tulpi-seat Chair

Tulpi-seat Chair is an innovative piece of street furniture that exemplifies the fusion of form, function, and sustainability in contemporary Dutch design. Developed through an extensive seven-year process beginning in 2004, this distinctive public seating solution draws inspiration from the iconic tulip flower, incorporating its organic form into a practical urban amenity. The chair features a revolutionary automatic folding mechanism that closes the seat when unoccupied, ensuring a clean and dry surface for subsequent users while protecting it from environmental elements such as rain, bird droppings, and fallen leaves. Constructed from recyclable polyethylene, the chair demonstrates a commitment to environmental sustainability while offering exceptional durability and resistance to bacterial growth. The design incorporates ergonomic considerations, providing consistent lower back support, and offers users 360-degree rotational capability, allowing them to choose their preferred viewing direction. Standing at 1157mm in height, with a width of 688mm and depth of 418mm, the Tulpi-seat Chair represents a space-efficient solution for public spaces. The design's innovative features and aesthetic appeal have earned recognition in the design community, including a Golden A' Design Award in the Street and City Furniture Design category, acknowledging its contribution to urban furniture design. The chair's development focused on creating a vandal-resistant, weather-proof seating solution that combines practical functionality with playful aesthetics, making it particularly suitable for various public environments where it adds both visual interest and practical value.

street furniture design, public seating, sustainable design, Dutch design, ergonomic seating, automatic folding mechanism

— Adam Dawson

CITATION : "Adam Dawson. 'Tulpi-seat Chair.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=447791 (Accessed on June 16, 2025)"