Milaa is a contemporary armchair rooted in the synergy of eastern tradition and modern western aesthetics. In fusing Indian craftsmanship with British simplicity, Milaa puts a new twist on time-honored production practices, reinvigorating the Indian design industry.

Elevate, ENrich, empower.

– The traditional beauty of a rich eastern culture is taken to a new level of desirability serving different market sectors.

– Merging the contemporary with the traditional creates a captivating aesthetic that can appeal to a new audience.

– Traditional Indian production practices are repositioned for a more innovative design industry.

traditional indian Furniture: defining elements

– Turned legs are a standout element of furniture from Southern India. Apart from traditional turned motifs, some pieces feature a spiralling twist.

– Dense hardwoods with rich colouring and deep hues were the material of choice.

– Joints featured complex geometry with ornate detailing in surface textures and patterns. Circular details complete a predominantly rectilinear form.

 

 

Modern British Design: Defining Elements

– Seat backs and arms commonly take on a curved form in order to adhere more closely to human ergonomics.

– Subtle dips and curves in seats are achieved through bent plywood forms.

– Joinery such as mortise and tenon support a simplified structure with integrity. Parts are such reduced to their minimum.

 

 

The ideation process involved a lot of back and forth between 2D sketching and 3D model making. The use of "quick and dirty" models helped visualize sketches in a three dimensional form and evaluate designs from various perspectives.

 
 
 

Prototype one

The first full scale prototype followed the general form of the chosen sketch model. Joints were mocked out and curves created with laminations of bending plywood in order to rapidly recreate the twisted curvature of the design.

User testing revealed structural issues including racking due to tensile stress between legs.

 

Joinery Study

Structural Analysis

 

Identifying the joint between the back legs and apron to be of highest importance for the structural integrity of the chair, a study into the possible connections was conducted. The three joints that were tested were a through tenon, lap joint and floating tenon. The floating tenon offered the strongest connection without reduction in material.

Prototype two

The second iteration of full scale prototype included many revisions – specifically in the under-seat structure. User testing was conducted for structural stability and comfort in both short and prolonged usage.

final dimensions

Structural Analysis

 

Upon analysis of user feedback and ergonomic studies, the following dimension adjustments were taken into account for the final design of Milaa. This involved a reduced seat depth for an improved seating position.

Social

The making of Milaa empowers local craftspeople and manufacturers by providing jobs and promoting local craft, while training them to widen their skill set. This in turn, increases demand for a relatively stagnant industry sector and uplifts traditional practices within a broader design scene. The colonial narrative behind Milaa's design creates a conversation about cultural flow and influences on a global scale.

Economic

Using Teak wood in Milaa's legs instead of commonly used Shisham (Indian rosewood) reduces the cost of materials without sacrificing product quality. All materials are also domestically sources in order to reduce transportation costs and support local economies. The communities involved in Milaa's production benefit from an enriched quality of life as artisans are paid a fair living wage.

Environmental

The wood species used in Milaa's manufacturing are sourced from suppliers working towards FSC certification in India. Sewan and teak are rated by the IUCN as of Least Concern. The use of steam bending rather than CNC milling for Milaa's seat back and arms vastly reduces the amount of material wastage as well as energy consumption. Milaa is finished with natural, non-toxic oil finishes.

With emerging markets for readymade furniture in India, and a taste for the new and unknown in more developed readymade markets, Milaa fills an intercontinental gap. The design withholds it's eastern spirit while embracing a distinctly western aesthetic.

Milaa enters the market at a an accessible price point and therefore appeals to a large demographic of middle class people with an average disposable income. As a highly crafted piece of furniture, it outlives the typical cheap, mass produced furniture that is on offer in this market sector and gives the consumer more value for money.

Reinforcing Indian pride and economy, Milaa is manufactured in India. The product puts Indian design at the forefront of contemporary furniture adding value and heritage to a mass market industry.

Milaa is a contemporary armchair that offers more than meets the eye. Aesthetic choices are derived from ancient culture and ethnography. The fusion of Indian and British styles creates a compelling story that captivates and informs the end user. The definition of the Hindi word milaa is to harmonize.