The traditions when it comes to sitting and sleeping differ greatly from the East to the West, which is something the 'Wa' rest seat aims to offer a solution for. Created by the ATO Design Studio, the 'Wa' seat features three elements that enable it to transition to different purposes in order to satisfy the person using it.
The 'Wa' seat starts in a traditional chair orientation like one you would find in the West, while the top seating portion can be removed and placed on the floor like seating in the East. Finally, the support pillow found on the rear backing of the 'Wa' rest seat comes off to be used as a neck support for sleeping on the floor.
Transitioning Seat Designs
The 'Wa' Rest Seat Accommodates Eastern and Western Traditions
Trend Themes
1. Multifunctional Furniture - There is an opportunity for furniture companies to innovate with design solutions that accommodate various cultural traditions of sitting and/or sleeping.
2. Cultural Integration - Industries that focus on integrating Eastern and Western lifestyles and cultures, including home furniture, travel, and hospitality, have room for disruptive innovation in creating designs that meet the needs of global consumers.
3. Modular Living Spaces - Trends in smaller living spaces and flexible floor plans call for a need for innovation in creating furniture designs that enable easy transitions between various functionalities, including sleeping, sitting and/or working.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture - Furniture companies have a chance to create designs that cater to a global audience with various cultural traditions of sitting and/or sleeping, by incorporating multifunctionality and modular designs.
2. Travel - Travel companies, particularly airlines, have an opportunity to design seating arrangements in planes that take into account various cultural traditions, allowing for a more comfortable experience for travelers from different regions of the world.
3. Hospitality - The hospitality industry can explore designing hotel and accommodation spaces that offer multifunctional furniture, catering to guests with different cultural backgrounds and lifestyles.