Aging in the City II

Rocking Knit

Ryan Ferguson

Designers Damien Ludi and Colin Peillex have ingeniously combined two traditional porch pastimes into the Rocking Knit, a wooden rocking chair that knits a cap as it moves. This eco-friendly invention, part of the Ecole cantonale d’art de Lausanne's Low-Tech Factory workshop, emphasizes simplicity and efficiency by generating a tangible product through minimal energy use. Showcased at Designer’s Saturday in Langenthal, Switzerland, the Rocking Knit offers a unique blend of leisure and productivity, embodying the workshop's goal of merging experience with the creation of a material item.

https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2016/04/a-rocking-chair-that-knits-you-a-hat-as-you-read-the-paper/

Stork Chair

Ryan Ferguson

Stork is a birdlike seat for work and play.  

Stork was intentionally made to be soft and playful for my newborn nephew, Stone. I wanted to create a casual space where he could play, study, and grow with this furniture. I believe kids should have objects around them that seem whimsical, almost coming out of a storybook, to inspire them to dream bigger. 

The design originally began as a chair meant to transform elementary school classrooms into more free-flowing and collaborative spaces. Today, Stork's can flock together to create casual workspaces in offices, coffee shops, schools, and homes.  

Stork was born from the original question: How would a kid reimagine their learning experience?

https://designawards.core77.com/Furniture-Lighting/92905/Stork-A-birdlike-seat-for-work-and-play

Audible Chairs

Ryan Ferguson

Designed by Hemmo Honkonen, audible chairs are a series of chairs that make different sounds when sat on. The chairs are a study in mechanically produced sound, movement and interaction. Each chair has its own sound that is triggered by sitting down or getting up from the seat.

https://www.hemmohonkonen.com/audible-chairs.html

Audible Cabinets

Ryan Ferguson

Designed by Hemmo Honkonen, audible cabinets are a series of cabinets that all make different sounds when opened. The cabinets are a study in mechanically produced sound, movement and interaction. Each cabinet has its own sound that is triggered by opening and closing the doors.

https://www.hemmohonkonen.com/audible-cabinets.html

Nugget Play Couch

Ryan Ferguson



https://nuggetcomfort.com/products/the-nugget-koala

Avlia Furniture Systems

Ryan Ferguson

This furniture system for children draws inspiration from Slavonian domestic and farm animals, transforming them into functional yet imaginative items such as a cow-shaped desk, stools modeled after dogs and cats, a pig-shaped toy chest, and a chicken pencil-box. Designed to evoke the simplicity and imaginative potential of traditional wooden toys, these pieces encourage children's creativity by serving dual roles as both toys and functional furniture. Crafted primarily from the renowned Slavonian oak, this collection not only offers a creative alternative to modern, prescriptive toys but also celebrates and promotes the cultural heritage and natural beauty of the Slavonian region.

https://www.behance.net/gallery/35871067/Avlia-Furniture-System-for-Children

Rigamajig

Ryan Ferguson

Rigamajig, conceived by Cas Holman as a large-scale building kit for children, encourages imagination, innovation, and collaboration through its collection of wooden planks, wheels, pulleys, and more, designed for free play without the need for tools or instructions. Originating as a pop-up playground for New York City's High Line Park, this award-winning design fosters cooperation and creativity among children, allowing them to bring their ideas to life. 

https://casholman.com/design/rigamajig