31 Stool

Daechan Kim, M.S. Experience Design ’25, is a multi-disciplinary designer who creates products with intentional interactions that enrich everyday experiences. His work “31 Stool” was part of the International Contemporary Furniture Fair as part of New York Design Week  2026.

The 31 Stool is a furniture piece defined by a strict industrial constraint: the creation of a complete, functional object from a single repetitive form. Moving away from complex, multi-part assemblies, this design utilizes a system where three identical veneer components interlock to form a rigid, triangulated structure.

The manufacturing process prioritizes efficiency and reduction. All three structural elements -legs and seat – are crafted from the exact same mold, differentiated only by their specific drilling patterns. This approach creates a unified visual language where every angle and curve echoes the next. The system is designed to be flat-packed, with the identical components nesting perfectly for compact shipping and storage.

Constructed using a nine-ply laminated veneer process, the stool features a flexible seven-ply poplar core sandwiched between durable maple faces. This composite allows for a tight bending radius that serves as the design’s focal point. This signature curve performs a triple function: it acts as the primary structural joint connecting the components, creates an ergonomic slope for the user, and serves as a seamless, integrated handle for mobility.

The 31 Stool represents a synthesis of industrial logic and craftsmanship, proving that singular repetitiveforms can yield objects of distinct character.

31 Stool won the SIT Design Award 2026 as a Student Winner in the Stool category. The SIT Furniture Design Award is an international competition specifically dedicated to recognizing practical, accessible, and innovative furniture and interior design work.

The piece was also recognized by the Core77 Design Awards 2026 as a Student Notable in Furniture & Lighting. The Core77 Design Awards have served as a respected benchmark in the industrial design community since 2011, evaluating projects through peer-reviewed panels of practicing design professionals.