Kranok: Fusing Tradition with Modernity in Furniture Design

Inspired by the intricate Kranok and Kra Chang motifs—ornamental patterns deeply embedded in Thai architecture—this project bridges the past and present, creating a foldable, space-efficient chair that embodies the values of humility, inclusivity, and adaptability in Thai culture.

Developed in RMIT’s Master of Design Innovation and Technology (MDIT) program, Kranok is an inquiry into how materiality, tradition, and contemporary lifestyles intersect.

The Inspiration: Thai Seating Culture & Social Symbolism

Thai culture has long been shaped by floor-seating traditions, symbolising modesty, respect, and community. Historically, commoners sat on the ground, while elevated seating was reserved for the monarchy and nobility. Over time, Western influences in the 19th century introduced chairs with legs, shifting social perceptions of seating.

Kranok explores a speculative “what if” scenario:
📌 What if Thai furniture evolved without Western influence?
📌 How can a modern chair retain the cultural values of traditional floor seating?

By integrating these concepts, Kranok challenges conventional seating norms, blending functionality, history, and symbolism into a contemporary form.

Design & Materiality: Tradition Meets Innovation

Kranok’s design draws from:
✔ Thai Motifs – The Kranok and Kra Chang patterns feature prominently, reinterpreted into the chair’s form and detailing.
✔ Foldable Structure – Inspired by origami and modular furniture, the chair collapses for space efficiency and portability.
✔ Sustainable Material Innovation – A blend of felt, polypropylene, and jute rope provides durability while reflecting the tactile richness of Thai craftsmanship.

The use of felt was particularly significant. Traditionally, Thai furniture incorporates natural materials like rattan and banana fibre, but Kranok merges these influences with modern fabrication techniques, ensuring flexibility and structural integrity.

Prototyping & Design Evolution

Developing Kranok involved an iterative process of experimentation and refinement:
🛠 Paper Prototypes – Early concepts explored different foldable configurations, with an emphasis on structural integrity.
🎭 Cultural Aesthetics – The initial design featured heavy Thai motifs, but critiques led to a refined approach where subtle, minimalist ornamentation was preferred.
💡 Material Testing – Experiments with laser-cut polypropylene, MDF, and felt ensured the chair maintained both form and function.
🧵 Craftsmanship & Assembly – The final prototype required precision sewing, rope integration for structural support, and CNC fabrication for additional elements like the accompanying table.

Through this process, the chair evolved into a fusion of heritage and contemporary usability, staying true to Thai cultural identity while meeting modern ergonomic needs.

Final Outcome: A Chair Rooted in Cultural Continuity

The final Kranok chair is a testament to the power of design to honour tradition while innovating for the future. It presents a culturally embedded, user-friendly seating solution, perfect for contemporary spaces where flexibility and aesthetic significance matter.

With its low-seating form, foldable design, and Thai-inspired patterns, Kranok fosters a sense of connection, history, and belonging, reminding us that design is not just about objects—but the stories they carry.

Future Vision: Designing for Cultural Legacy

The success of Kranok opens up exciting possibilities:
🌏 Scalability – How can similar cultural motifs be reinterpreted in other furniture forms?
🏡 Integration into Modern Homes – Could adaptive furniture help reintroduce floor-seating culture in urban living?
🛠 Material Experimentation – Exploring biodegradable or locally sourced materials to enhance sustainability.

Ultimately, Kranok is more than a chair—it’s a conversation between past, present, and future, proving that heritage can evolve without losing its essence.

🎭 Role: Art Director & Designer

📌 Tasks: Ethnographic Research, Material Experimentation, Concept Development, Prototyping & Testing, Art Direction, Graphic & Logo Design, Presentation & Documentation
👥 Team: 3 members