一直以来，可以一物多用且经济的塑料凳是旧香港每家每户必不可少的物件。但是，随着新时代设计理念中环保意识的增强，我们考虑使用更现代美观且耐久的材料来升级凳子。我们选择采用一块完整的铜板制作，并不产生材料的浪费。铜板的加工只用简单机械设平切即可，无需使用到工厂级的设备。通过折叠，这种薄金属片可以凭借其固有的强度获得稳定性从而立住，并同时创造出简单而有雕塑感的形状。
Traditionally, plastic stools are a must-have item in old Hong Kong due to its versatile function and economy of storage. However, as the new generation starts to become more conscious about design and environment, we think we could revise the stools with a material that is aesthetically more contemporary and materialistically more durable. Making use of a whole piece of copper sheet without wastage, the piece is out of a flat-cut by simple machineries without the need of factory-level equipment. Through folding, such thin piece of metal can gain its stability with the inherent strength of the material and stands on itself, creating a simple yet sculptural form.
▼产品展示，简单而又有雕塑感的造型，Product display , simple yet sculptural form ©2019 Napp Studio
沿着两条精心计算过的曲线弯折金属板，形成三维经线，构成凳子的整体结构。金属板的弯折需要极大的专注度和精湛的工艺，任何微小的偏差都可能导致凳子结构的不稳定或不平衡。
Engraving and bending along the two carefully calculated curves on a flat metal sheet, a 3-dimensional warp is formed which makes the whole stool structural. The engraving and bending of metal sheet requires extreme care and craftsmanship in which any minor deviation would results in instability or imbalance.
▼产品立面，Product facade ©2019 Napp Studio
这个项目同样是香港设计过去与未来之间的对话。香港曾以其第二产业而闻名。实际上，即使是现在，仍有许多精通各种材料，工艺精湛且注重细节的大师隐藏于城镇。这次，我们有幸邀请到金鸿金属（Kam Hung Metal）的李师傅合作。从概念，生产到最终产品的呈现，我们与李师傅之间，产生了许多新与旧的的碰撞。其中，我们从李师傅那学习到的金属加工工艺，及来自于传统塑料凳子的设计灵感可以被理解为对于“过去”的传承；凳子采用的现代设计中常用的不锈钢材料，及它所蕴含的极简主义形式则暗示着从“过去”中新生的“未来”。
This project is also a demonstration of the interconnection between past and future of design in Hong Kong. Hong Kong was once famous for its secondary industry. In fact, nowadays, there are still so many hidden passionate masters/ sifu of various materials in town with exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. It is very fortunate for us to work with Sifu Li of Kam Hung Metal. I think there are many layers of past and future juxtaposing on each other from concept, production to the final product. Our collaboration with Sifu Li with his experience in working with metal work and the inspiration from the traditional plastic stool could be understood as the “past”; the stool remade in stainless steel as a common material in contemporary design and the new minimalist form it carries is suggesting a “future” springing from the “past”.
▼设计将传统塑料凳子的设计灵感应用于不锈钢材料。 The stool remade in stainless steel to present the inspiration from traditional plastic stool ©2019 Napp Studio
在我们看来，现代设计亟需认识到，手工艺制作不仅仅局限于传统工艺。传统工艺不可替代的价值体现在，它既能与现代技术相结合，又能指引艺术与设计的发展，而艺术与设计则反映着人类文明。现代技术正以前所未有的速度发展，我们必须不断反思设计与传统文化及工艺之间的关系，使我们的设计不至于流于时代和历史之外。
We think it is important to realize craftsmanship is not limited to traditional crafts. Both traditional culture and craftsmanship have their irreplaceable value in combining with latest technology and informing the development of art and design which reflect a crucial part of humanity and civilization. With the advancement of technology at unprecedented speed, it is extremely critical for us to constantly reflect on our design in relation to traditional culture and craftsmanship so as to understand the meaning of design at our time and throughout history.
▼产品细部，Product detail ©2019 Napp Studio
Designer: Napp Studio & Architects Design Team: Aron TSANG Wai-Chun, Wesley HO Hung-Lai Manufacturer: Kam Hung Metal Photographer: Jimmy HO Date: November 2019
