Project Overview
Co Create is a theme-based DIY furniture concept designed for children, where furniture becomes a medium for learning, creativity, and collaboration. The idea revolves around a series of build-it-yourself furniture pieces for kids—each designed to be assembled and customized with parents.
This case study focuses specifically on the Co Create Chair, the first and foundational design within the series.
It is not merely a chair.
It is an experience shaped by interaction.
The Idea of Co Create
Co Create is built on a simple belief:
When children create something with their hands, they connect with it deeply.
The concept enables kids to build and customize their own chair with the help of their parents, turning a functional object into a shared moment of play, learning, and expression. The chair becomes personal—not because it was bought, but because it was made.
Co Create is about participation, not perfection.
Design Intent
The intention behind the Co Create chair was to design a piece of DIY kids furniture that feels intuitive, playful, and empowering. The chair needed to be strong yet lightweight, structured yet inviting, and safe without feeling restrictive.
The challenge was to balance form, function, and freedom, ensuring the child leads the experience while the parent becomes a collaborator rather than a supervisor.
How Might We…
The design of the Co Create chair was guided by a set of core questions:
- How might we challenge children spatially to develop sensory and motor skills?
- How might we introduce colour association and personal choice?
- How might we enable learning through interaction rather than instruction?
- How might we strengthen parent–child and sibling engagement?
- How might we help children listen, imagine, create, and express confidently?
- How might we introduce curiosity, surprise, and adaptability into furniture?
Each question translated into a design decision embedded within the chair.
Concept Development & Design Process
The chair was developed using interlocking templates that allow children to understand structure through assembly. Various interlock systems were explored, leading to a half-lap joining method that offered stability without visual heaviness.
The frame was intentionally kept minimal and readable, allowing kids to understand how parts come together. Seating and support elements were added to ensure comfort while maintaining a playful character.
Materials & Craft
The chair is crafted using 25mm Russian Birch plywood, selected for its multi-ply construction that offers exceptional strength, stability, and visually expressive edges—ideal for exposed DIY furniture design.
Comfort elements use polyester fibre and PU memory foam, ensuring lightweight, soft components that children can easily handle. Upholstery in jute and rayon fabrics supports durability while allowing painting, dyeing, and creative experimentation.
Every material supports both function and play.
Prototyping & Testing
Impact & Value
At its core, the Co Create chair supports sensory development, creative expression, and family bonding. It adapts to the child’s imagination, encourages sustainable thinking through durable materials, and reframes furniture as a participatory experience.
It is designed not just to occupy space, but to shape behaviour.
Achievement & Recognition
🏆 Top 20 Winner – Archasm Play Interactive Kids Furniture Competition 2020
