Anemone Sofa

Anemone Sofa

Anemone Sofa is an innovative furniture design that reimagines traditional seating through a striking biomimetic approach, drawing inspiration from marine life to create a unique visual and tactile experience. Created by designer Yi-Xuan Lee, this avant-garde piece masterfully combines the conventional form of a sofa with the organic, flowing aesthetics of sea anemones, resulting in a dramatic visual tension between familiar comfort and exotic marine forms. The design, which earned a Golden A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category, features an intricate arrangement of red and white polyurethane tubes meticulously tied together with red iron wire to create a distinctive protective canopy that envelops the user. Measuring 190 x 125 x 110 centimeters, this sculptural seating piece creates an interesting paradox between its imposing, potentially intimidating appearance and its actual gentle, embracing function. The innovative use of PU tubes as the primary material challenges conventional furniture design paradigms while offering a unique sensory experience - the tubes create a soft, protective cocoon that mirrors the symbiotic relationship between sea anemones and clownfish in nature. This sophisticated interpretation of marine biology in furniture design demonstrates an exceptional balance between artistic expression and functional design, where the seemingly defensive exterior actually provides a nurturing, comfortable interior space. The construction process, though challenging due to the complex assembly of numerous tubes into a cohesive skin, results in a piece that successfully transforms a utilitarian object into an artistic statement about protection, comfort, and the relationship between form and function.

furniture design, biomimetic design, marine-inspired furniture, contemporary seating, sculptural furniture, protective design

— Adam Dawson