Tangram Stool

Tangram Stool

Tangram Stool is an innovative modular furniture design that draws inspiration from the ancient Chinese puzzle game and the historical YAN JI drawing principles of the Song Dynasty. Created by designer Kris Lin, this versatile piece consists of five distinct geometric shapes divided into seven thin pieces that can be arranged to form various configurations including triangles, squares, rectangles, parallelograms, and irregular polygons. The design ingeniously combines traditional woodworking techniques with modern upholstery, incorporating sponge cloth art sofa elements to create a harmonious blend of classical craftsmanship and contemporary comfort. Each component is precisely engineered with dimensions of 1516mm width, 681mm depth, and 450mm height, featuring carefully calculated hypotenuse points that serve as assembly interfaces. The design's versatility allows it to function both as individual seating elements or small tea tables, and when combined, creates larger functional arrangements suitable for diverse environments from residential spaces to public venues such as airport lobbies. This adaptable furniture system, which won an Iron A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category, represents a significant innovation in modular furniture design, demonstrating exceptional versatility while paying homage to historical Chinese furniture-making traditions. The design's complexity is evident in its demanding construction process, requiring precise carpentry work to ensure each piece fits perfectly within the system, while maintaining the flexibility to create multiple configurations that serve different spatial and functional requirements.

modular furniture design, geometric shapes, traditional woodworking, adaptable seating, Chinese-inspired design, contemporary furniture

— Adam Dawson

CITATION : "Adam Dawson. 'Tangram Stool.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/tangram-stool?E=441079 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"