News--Welcome to National Chiayi University

　　Chairman Li An-Sheng and Zhang Jing-Rong and Shi Zhi-Ming, both students from the Department of Wood Materials and Design, National Chiayi University, won the Judges’ Award in the creative design category of “Taiwan Craft Competition 2016” with a chair entitled “Mountain’s Foot – Triangle.” Ergonomically designed, the chair adopts a movable triangular structure that allows for continuous adjustment of the seat back tilt angle. While an upright position is suitable for reading and writing, a backward leaning position is adequate for relaxing and thinking. The meticulously orchestrated chair is easy to adjust for a comfortable position anytime, anywhere.

　　Chairman Li An-Sheng indicated that Taiwan Craft Competition is an Oscar-like award for Craftsmanship at the national level. Among as many as 517 entries submitted this year, only 75 were shortlisted. The award-winning chair “Mountain’s Foot – Triangle” derives its inspiration from mountains and rivers, striving to capture the beautiful landscape of the Chianan region at the foot of Alishan.

　　The students who obtained the award said the work features a collage of beechwood and walnut wood in creating strong contrasts in colors. The wooden hind legs of the chair protrude from the metaphoric mountain, cascading down like a river and widening out into a triangular shape at the end, which embodies the alluvial fan of the Chianan Plain. There is also an ingenious design for the end of the slot. When the chair is turned to the biggest angle, an image of the protected species – Formosan black bears climbing up the mountain emerges. The chair is both fun-to-use and fashionable by creating an organic design that mimics the natural environment. It is also intended for use in recreational areas such as study and living rooms, allowing users to enjoy a moment of calm and relaxation that is both emotionally and physically healing.

　　NCYU Department of Wood Materials and Design is dedicated to bring innovative design to everyday life with wood materials, which are not only eco-friendly, but emotionally and physically healing. They hoped to promote home use of wood products, and share the loveliness and wonder of wood materials with the general public. In addition to enhancing living quality, they also wished to contribute their part to environmental protection by enhancing carbon fixation levels in step with the world’s leading standards.