During the pandemic, shared learning spaces demanded new forms of personal protection without sacrificing comfort or focus. I wanted to create a chair that offers a sense of spatial safety while remaining calm, human, and inviting.
ISO chair rethinks individual seating for libraries and schools by integrating personal boundaries and storage into a compact form. It creates a defined, hygienic micro-space for reading and studying in public environments.
Inspired by the proportions and elegance of Ming Dynasty furniture, the chair is crafted from white oak using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery.
Continuous undercut grooves in the armrests allow removable acrylic panels to be inserted as protective barriers, while an under-seat shelf keeps personal items organized—balancing cultural heritage with contemporary functional needs.
