'Tatamu' by Mate Meszaros: Innovation in Folding Stool

Tatamu

Folding Stool for Tatamu

By 2050 two thirds of the earth population will live in cities. The main ambition behind Tatamu is to provide flexible furniture for people whose space is limited, including those who are frequently moving. The aim is to create an intuitive furniture that combines robustness with an ultra-thin shape. It takes only one twisting movement to deploy the stool. While all the hinges made of durable fabric keeping it light weight, the wooden sides provide stability. Once pressure is applied to it, the stool only gets stronger as its pieces lock together, thanks to its unique mechanism and geometry.

Mate Meszaros 2020 Partnership Silver Press Kit № 100792

Download Press Kit № 100792

Download Press Kit № 100792 Folding Stool for Tatamu by Mate Meszaros to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.

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Tatamu by Mate Meszaros

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Folding Stool by Mate Meszaros

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For precise, vibrant prints up to 6 inches, use this 1800-pixel image at 300 DPI. For larger visuals up to 12 inches, 150 DPI ensures the image remains clear and impactful. With press accreditation, enjoy watermark-free, high-res downloads. Low-res images are available immediately for all. Photo credits are listed in the Image Credits Section.

TatamuBrand Logo

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

Maximize the potential of this 1800-pixel image: at 300 DPI, it delivers exceptional detail up to 6 inches, while at 150 DPI, it offers clarity for prints up to 12 inches. Press accreditation offers watermark-free high-res downloads. For immediate needs, low-res images are ready now. To identify photo contributors, visit the Image Credits Section.

Mate Meszaros Interview

For Immediate Release: Secure your free access to an engaging interview with Mate Meszaros, totaling about 925 words. Perfect for enhancing your articles. Download instantly. Access Mate Meszaros Interview Now.

Tatamu Folding Stool Press Releases

Press releases tailored for Tatamu are available in the languages: English.

Tatamu Folding Stool Translations

Tatamu in your language: we provide project translations across multiple languages: Opvoubare Ontlasting AF, Stooli I Palosshëm SQ, ሰገራ AM, كرسي قابل للطي AR, Ծալովի Աթոռակը HY, Qatlanan Tabure AZ, Taburete Tolesgarria EU, Раскладны Зэдлік BE, ভাঁজ স্টুল BN, Sklopiva Stolica BS, Сгъваемо Столче BG, ခေါက်ထိုင်ခုံ MY, Femta Plegable CA, Kupinda Chopondera NY, 折叠凳 ZH, Stoltu Pieghevule CO, Sklopiva Stolica HR, Skládací Stolička CS, Foldet Afføring DA, Opvouwbare Kruk NL, Faldebla Tabureto EO, Kokkupandav Väljaheide ET, Taittuva Jakkara FI, Le Tabouret Pliant FR, Taburete Plegable GL, დასაკეცი განავალი KA, Klapphocker DE, Πτυσσόμενο Σκαμνί EL, ફોલ્ડિંગ સ્ટૂલ GU, Plisman Poupou HT, Nadawa Mataka HA, שרפרף מתקפל HE, तह स्टूल HI, Az Összecsukható Széklet HU, Bangku Lipat ID, Stól Fillte GA, Mpịachi Oche IG, Fellihýsi IS, Lo Sgabello Pieghevole IT, 折りたたみスツール JA, Bangku Lipat JV, ಮಡಿಸುವ ಮಲ KN, Жиналмалы Нәжіс KK, ផ្នត់បត់ KM, Intebe RW, Бүктөлүүчү Отургуч KY, 접이식 의자 KO, Darbesta Paldankî KU, Se Invicem Tenens Aperiebatur Alvus LA, Klappstool LB, ພັບພັບ LO, Sulankstomos Taburetės LT, Izvelkamais Izkārnījumos LV, Виткање Столче MK, Fandrindrana Miforitra MG, Najis Lipat MS, മടക്കാവുന്ന മലം ML, Ippurgar Li Jintwew MT, Ko Te Papa Hihiko MI, फोल्डिंग स्टूल MR, Эвхдэг Сандал MN, फोल्ड मल NE, Sammenleggbar Krakk NO, ଫୋଲ୍ଡିଂ ଷ୍ଟୁଲ OR, ਫੋਲਡਿੰਗ ਟੱਟੀ PA, مدفوع تاشو FA, Składany Taboret PL, د فولډ کولو سټ PS, Banquinho Dobrável PT, Taburet Pliabil RO, Складной Табурет RU, فولاد اسٽول SD, Galugalu Faʻatasi SM, Склопива Столица SR, Tha Stòl Fillte GD, Kupeta Stool SN, නැමීමේ පුටුව SI, Skladacia Stolička SK, Zložljivi Stolček SL, Saarida Saxarada SO, Folding Stool ST, El Taburete Plegable ES, Na Léngkah SU, Kukunja Kinyesi SW, Vikpall SV, மடிப்பு மலம் TA, మడత మలం TE, Табақи Болдор TG, Folding Stool EN, เก้าอี้พับ TH, Eplenýän Tabur TK, Ang Natitiklop Na Dumi Ng Tao TL, Katlanır Tabure TR, Катлау Табурасы TT, قاتلىنىدىغان ئورۇندۇق UG, Розкладний Табурет UK, فولڈنگ اسٹول UR, Katlanadigan Tabure UZ, Ghế Đẩu Gấp VI, Stôl Blygu CY, Klapstoel FY, Ukusonga Isitulo XH, פאָלדינג בענקל YI, Kika Otita YO, Ukusonga Okugoqayo ZU, 折疊凳 ZY, Ang Folding Stool CEB, He ʻano ʻoki Kāwili ʻia HAW, Folding Quav HMN.

Tatamu Folding Stool Media Articles

Access our collection of Tatamu articles, ready for use and offered in languages: Italian, German, Hindi, French, Indonesian, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, Japanese, Russian, Arabic (Standard), Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Turkish and English.

Unique Properties

When we started designing the Tatamu stool, we aimed to create furniture that combines robustness with an ultra-thin and lightweight material, while being intuitive to use. It takes only one twisting movement to deploy the chair. We wanted to keep the design as simple as possible, so there are only two materials: wood and fabric. The hinges made of specially manufactured durable fabric keep it light weight, while the wooden origami faces provide stability. Once pressure is applied to it, the stool only gets stronger as the faces lock in together in perfect mechanical balance.

Production Technology

All Tatamu Stools are made in a traditional Japanese furniture workshop. Every single piece is hand built by dedicated craftsmen from start until finish, paying utmost attention to detail. All of the plywood and fabric pieces are first cut by CNC and laminated together in a hydraulic press, assuring that all parts have the perfectly shaped, and interlocked with precision. Since the chair design is based on elemental geometry, we can optimize quality control and keep production costs low.

Design Challenge

The greatest challenge throughout the design and research process, was to find a balance between structural strength and foldability. Modelling the mechanism of the chair in 3D has limited capabilities, so we had to work closely with the manufacturer in order to reach the desired result. After many detail tests and five distinct functional prototypes, we could manage to make the foldable stool easily operable, while retaining its strength.

Project Duration

The design of the Tatamu Stool started in June 2019 with paper models and 3d modelling and we finalized the last prototype in January 2020. The furniture was designed entirely in Tokyo, Japan.

Operation Flow

Invite the whole gang over for dinner, board games or just a talk, without being limited by your space. Unfold some stools, and no one needs to be left out. TATAMU will fold down to fit anywhere, and its triangular shape allows it to fit even in the narrowest of apartment arrangements when deployed. When relocating, TATAMU moves with you; reducing the cost, time and stress of moving out. Over 258 million tons of furniture end up in landfills every year, only in the United States.

Research

We used Grasshopper to simulate the working mechanism of the stool; the main load bearing axes have to work as hinges as well, so our research objective was to determine how to reach a stable state while retaining flexibility. We worked closely with our manufacturer, creating tests and prototypes. The Tatamu Stool is using unique solutions in its details, these joints can be used in the future for later designs. The folded form of the chair is getting more stable as more pressure is applied to it, so we would like to investigate the usage of this mechanism in construction technologies, as well.

Inspiration

Small apartments, narrow offices, tiny shops; urban space is a vanishing, precious commodity. By 2050 two thirds of the earth’s population will live in cities. We have to fit increasingly more activities in a shrinking physical space. The main inspiration behind Tatamu are mobile and creative people like us, whose ideas are bigger than their room. We also found that moving in and out of tiny city apartments often involves the disposal of old furniture, since transportation is very costly; we need light, deployable, reusable furniture that is a joy to use.

Project Overview

Tatamu Folding Stool has been a Silver winner in the Furniture Design award category in the year 2019 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.

Image Credits

For design images and photos please credit Mate Meszaros.

Silver Recognition

Mate Meszaros was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2020, a testament to excellence of their work Tatamu Folding Stool.

Mate Meszaros Press Releases

Explore the world of Mate Meszaros through our press releases, designed for media members to use freely and enrich your content. Unlock 1 press releases now, directly accessible to journalists.

Tatamu: The Innovative Folding Stool for Urban Living

Introducing Tatamu, a folding stool designed by Mate Meszaros to address the challenges of urban living, offering flexibility and functionality for small spaces.

Mate Meszaros Newsroom

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