Material used:
Tubular aluminium, stainless steel, marine plywood, upholstery, plants
Designed for restaurant, cafe and rooftop
Urban Oasis is an outdoor furniture set designed to form a landscape in any outdoor space. Consisting of a chair and a table, the Urban Oasis introduces greeneries into furniture which in place; helps relieving stress in hectic lifestyle. The ground-covered plants under the table surface, together with the climbing plants that grows on the chair, harmonizes with the theme of the furniture without losing its functionality.
In short, the space formed by the furniture fulfils the hope of urban citizens – to build a garden anywhere. Since it does not require much maintenance, it does appeal to the urban lifestyle.
Inspired by the pebbles in zen garden, the furniture can perform different configurations according to the given space, and eventually to form a “pebble garden”. The result is a serene and light-filled garden, which highlights the value of biodiversity within a city.
Started from the interest in farming, the design direction was largely based on the experience as a volunteer in a rooftop plantation.
Feeling good around plants is probably not surprising. However, the common problem of a city is that there is limited space for greeneries. With this problem in mind, the aim is to form an urban landscape using furniture. Unlike huge urban parks, the pebble-like furniture takes human scale in consideration. The chair structure acts as a medium for climbers to grow, and eventually form an adjustable sun shade. Other than that, the seat surface is spacious enough for various relaxing posture.
The pebble chair and table is also modular and allow configuration to form larger cluster based on the given space.
The idea of appreciating wild plants was surfaced during the weeding activity of a rooftop farm. Their marvellous beauty are always hidden; but they live among us. It includes many of those unnoticed ones that line the drains or hide among the pavement cacks. Climbers such as blue pea and morning glory are considered as the shading of the chair.
Plants such as clover, ferns, mimosa and star moss are considered of its ground-covered ability. Decisions are made due to their properties and availability in the market.
The ground-covered plants underneath the table surface are kept in place with a molded styrofoam (preferably Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)). The molded structure is designed to prevent soil leakage. Inspired by hydroculture plantation, there are also holes underneath the molded styrofoam that connects to the drainage system.
The drainage systems works by channeling the excess water from the soil to an epoxy-coated reservoir within the table. When the water reaches the certain volume, an opening in the central pipe will then drain the water to the floor.
