As part of the 3 Days of Design festival in Copenhagen, Danish furniture designer Anker Bak presented an exhibition entitled "Furniture We Need" ("Furniture We Need"), dedicated to empathetic design for paying people. Objects displayed in the serious Kulturtårnet watchtower overlooking the Knippelsbro Bridge include an aesthetic pillbox, a crutch that transforms into a stool, an ergonomic cane, a trolley bag and even a coffin - the result of the designer's personal experiences with the theme of death.
Master cabinetmaker Anker Buck is known for exploring the concept of “dignity design” for people with disabilities. “My designs are inspired by personal experiences with people in need of meaningful and practical solutions,” says Buck, explaining his approach to design and construction.
The designer created Ro's coffin while watching his elderly grandparents approach the end of their lives. Designing the coffin, according to the author, became part of the “experience of grief” for him. Buck's piece was inspired by the architecture of churches, particularly arches and soft lighting. The product is made of molded veneer, which allows you to create a bend, reducing material consumption. The coffin is installed on the fourth floor of the building and is the last exhibit. It was converted into a table around which visitors to the exhibition gathered for a discussion called “Coffee by the Coffin.”
“In life, death is the only thing we can be sure of, but we rarely talk about it,” comments Buck. “This topic has become a taboo that we avoid because the system takes on most of the worries associated with death. But I have to accept grief and pain because they teach me something about myself. I believe these are basic human feelings that will come back to haunt us if we don't learn to overcome them."
The exhibit also features walking aids designed for older adults with limited mobility: a cane that folds out to become a stool and a cane with a round plywood handle that can be slung over a shoulder or hung when not in use. Another cane, debuting at Milan Design Week this year, features a metal bracket that allows it to be secured to a table and prevents it from tipping over. The Sindig Rolling Walker is made from solid milled oak and features a hidden brake mechanism and a leather-covered handle.
Among the smaller items is the Cyklus, a pine wood pill box that Buck designed during the coronavirus pandemic while he was constantly drinking vitamins.
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